Macha EL
	
		
 
	
		
 
	"Macha EL" Tactical, Combat, Survival Knife
		
			- Size: Length overall: 14.0" (35.6 cm), Blade 
			Length: 9.0" (22.9 cm), Thickness: .243" (6.2 mm)
 
			- Weight: Knife: 1 lb. 2 oz. (510 grams) Sheath 
			(with extender and accessories): 1 lb., 14 oz. (851 grams)
 
			- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless 
			Tool Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59, Mirror Polished
 
			- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless 
			Steel, Mirror Polished
 
			- Handle: Black Palm Wood Hardwood
 
			- Sheath: Locking, Black Kydex, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Polypropylene and Nylon 
			belt loop extender with Firesteel/Magnesium fire starter, coarse DMT 
			diamond pad sharpener, Maglite Solitaire Flashlight, Thigh Belt 
			retention
 
			- Knife: "Macha" (pronounced mak-kha) is 
			named for the Celtic goddess of war. The original Macha is a design 
			made for tactical combat, specifically for a PSD (Principle Security 
			Detail) knife used in OIF. This is one of my very special Machas, 
			one suited for tactical and survival use in the most demanding of 
			environments, from marine salt water to jungles, from heavy forests 
			to desert sands. It has a magnificent large and substantial blade, 
			made to extra length (EL), a super strong blade that will 
			withstand the elements, pull duty as a survival tool and ultimately, 
			perform as a superior 
			defensive tactical weapon. I made the blade in 440C high chromium 
			martensitic tool steel and mirror polished it for the ultimate in 
			high corrosion resistance. With this finish, this is as corrosion 
			resistant as knife blade steels come, and I hardened and tempered 
			the blade 
			to a hard and durable 59HRC, which elevates  the surface to an 
			even higher corrosion 
			resistance as well as superior toughness and excellent wear resistance. 
			The blade has Macha's elegant and serious point and belly geometry, 
			and the extended length allows for a 6.5" long top swage to reduce 
			point profile, and 3 inches of my extremely aggressive Vampire 
			rip tooth serrations, much longer than most of my blades. The blade has a deep choil and 
			bold and spicy spine filework 
			to help grip security and add a modern touch of classy hand-crafted flair. 
			The shape 
			features a full, wide bolster-guard geometry to secure and protect 
			the hand extremely well. The large bolsters are mounted with 
			multiple zero-clearance peened pins and are contoured and polished 
			throughout. They are made of 
			high nickel, high chromium austenitic 304 stainless steel for absolutely 
			zero-care, and the ultimate in corrosion resistance. This is the 
			same tough and hard stainless steel used to make stainless steel 
			bolts, screws and high-tension fasteners. The rear 
			bolster has a large and substantial hawk's bill quillon to make the 
			knife easy to unsheathe, comfortable and solid, locking into the 
			hand while adding a 5/16" through-tang chamfered and contoured 
			lanyard hole for extra security if needed. The bolsters are 
			dovetailed and bed a pair of rich, dark, Black Palm Wood hardwood 
			handle scales which are smooth and polished, secured with ten 
			through-tang stainless steel pins for high strength and 
			durability. The Black Palm is the only palm wood that is hard and 
			tough enough for a knife handle; it is dense, solid, and very 
			strong with rich translucency and hints of orange in bright sunlight. The knife is serious, stout, and massive in the hand, with 
			the balance point at the peak width of the bolster-guard, and feels 
			great in either forward or reverse grip styles.
 
			- Sheath: The sheath is a professional 
				assembly of the highest quality and durability, and an example of why I'm 
				committed to making the finest combat tactical, and rescue knives 
				and sheaths on the planet. It starts with double thickness (.125") 
				kydex hot-formed over a 5052H32 high strength, corrosion resistant aluminum 
				alloy welt frame, secured with 304 stainless steel Chicago 
				screws for the ultimate in durability and corrosion resistance. The sheath is 
				one of my proven waterproof models, with all 
				stainless steel fasteners and components for the ultimate in 
				reliability. The sheath 
				includes 
				die-formed, high alloy aluminum belt loops (top photo) that can be located in 
			ten individual positions at both sides of the sheath and all along the welt 
				frame, and are reversible for a variety of wear options. I've 
			included two pairs for a custom and variable wear arrangement 
			through a variety of strap and belt options when not using the belt 
			loop extender. 
 
			- Accessories: This knife and sheath include one of my 
			great survival, combat, and CSAR sheath belt loop 
			extension accessories with very nice custom features and devices. The 
			polypropylene accessory is waterproof, durable, and extremely stout, 
			and allows the knife sheath to be worn in a more traditional, lower position 
			with the handle below the belt line (see photos below). On longer 
			knives, this can be critical, as unsheathing a long bladed knife 
			that is mounted high can be uncomfortable and awkward, and can 
			interfere with other gear you may have mounted in Tac vests, body 
			armor, on PALS webbing, and the belt. Wearing the knife in a lower 
			position also frees up critical real estate in this area. The extension is mounted with 304 stainless steel 
			straps and machine screws attached to the existing stainless steel 
			Chicago screws, and the assembly is stiffened by multiple triple zigzag 
			nylon stitching to prevent the extension from folding, bending, or 
			collapsing when the knife is extracted from the sheath. The belt 
			loop is three  inches wide for the widest of belts, and since 
			the sheath is a deep, tension fit model, it does not flop around. At the back of the extension I've created a custom fit pocket 
			for a DMT (Diamond Machining Technology) Mini-Sharp diamond-nickel 
			abrasive hone, to bring up the cutting edge in the field with ease. 
			These are great tools that can re-sharpen or just touch up even the 
			hardest tool steel edges, even on this high chromium carbide tool 
			steel, as they are surface bonded with diamond abrasives. I included 
			a black (coarse) grit sharpener on this extension and other grits 
			are available. The pocket for this 
			tool is cleverly situated at the sheath back and against the body, 
			and the sharpener can not be removed unless the sheath is off the 
			body and the Velcro closure is open. The sharpener will be there 
			when you need it. I also added a specially 
			modified critical survival component to this accessory: the Firesteel/Magnesium block with custom stainless steel fittings. The block is 
			waterproof and durable, with soft magnesium that can be easily 
			shaved off with the knife blade, and a Firesteel striker used to 
			ignite the magnesium shavings when placed into tinder to start a 
			fire. A unique addition to this commonly found block is the 
			stainless steel rod guard. This minimizes the possibility of the 
			Firesteel contacting any other metals and causing accidental sparks 
			and ignition when the accessory is worn or removed, guards the knife 
			tip (or swage) when the blade is dragged over the Firesteel, helps 
			concentrate and guide the spark direction, and offers a variety of 
			mounting options, besides on the sheath extender's industrial 
			strength Velcro straps. Being all 304 stainless steel, it will not 
			corrode or rust. The 304 stainless steel is extremely tough; the 
			firestarter will be there for you when you need it. I've also included a Maglite® 
			Solitaire, a small and durable flashlight that is waterproof, with o-ring seals and made of black anodized machined aluminum. I custom-make a stainless steel retention ring mount for locking the light in 
			its dedicated sleeve for security yet "up front" access in the 
			package. The ring design is extremely secure and the mount to the 
			extender is solid. You will not lose this flashlight to a drop, 
			bump, or tumble. This long knife sheath also includes a very heavy duty 
			thigh belt that is secured to the sheath with all stainless steel 
			fasteners and link bars, counter-bored and with rounded heads that 
			won't dig into the thigh. This belt will not move on the sheath, and 
			the quick-release buckle is up front, away from brush and obstacles 
			the owner may encounter, and is adjustable and easily released 
			without changing the length adjustment. There are much more to these accessories; learn about these 
			critical accessories on 
				a special page on my site at this link. Mounting, care, and use 
				instructions are posted there.
 
			- Special note: Please examine the details in the 
			annotated photos below; there are plenty of features and details in 
			this package.
 
			- This is a magnificent professional tool, weapon, and adjunct 
			ready for heavy work in any environment.
 
		
		Thanks, G.L.!
	 	
	
	
		First and foremost, I am absolutely delighted with the Macha EL !! While indeed gargantuan in proportions, its lines, curves, and finish nonetheless
			convey (to me) a certain feeling of elegance and sophistication.  Putting aside the sheath & accoutrements for a moment (which betray its true purpose),
			the knife itself is the sort of implement I might expect a proper English gentleman to carry while strolling through dangerous or uncertain environs.  
			And, though I'm sure some hardcore warrior types may deem it incongruously decorous, I really love the file-work on this knife, as well as the mirror 
			finish.  The leg-strap at the base of the sheath was an excellent addition as well.  And, as with the Imamu, the light, Mg firestarter, and honing 
			device are invaluable additions.
			The balance is excellent, the knife feels very light & maneuverable in the hand, despite its size, and the handle & quillon accommodate my 
			hand-grip comfortably & securely.  It really doesn't "feel" as though it weighs 18 ozs.  I find the contrast between the design of this knife 
			and the Imamu interesting - while both are designed for similar purposes, many aspects of their styles are radically different, almost at opposite 
			ends of the spectrum.  Certainly, both rate highly on the "intimidation scale" - believe me, I'm counting on this benefit in the interim until I 
			can become properly trained in the defensive use of knives during an assault.  The only thing that would save my bacon right now would be for 
			a potential assailant to flee at the first sight of one of these knives (and with the presumption that he is not armed with a firearm - can't do
			 much worse than to bring a knife to a gunfight, unless you're Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris.)
		--G. L.
	 
	
	Please click on thumbnail knife photos