All About Pocket Knives

Howdy,
I’m attempting restore an old Czech machete. Appreciate any historical background or restoration tips

24 inch blade, wooden scales, with 3 steel pins, machete pattern referred to as Topanga
3 small fuller lines along length of blade and handle.
Blade has a worn stamp of a lion with Czechoslovakia underneath (obscured for now)

The attached is the view as disassembled, prepping for restore

I see a reference to a “Czech Lion” machete on Worthpoint which matches this blade…note sure about the WW2 claims though

After I removed the scales (one was partially gone), I need to do a good cleaning…is vinegar a good way to do this?. Also, after cleaning is there a recommendation of how to protect the blade (bluing?)

Thanks,
Ed

Looks like a fun project, good luck and post progress pics for us.

Oh what a great project...can't wait to see the finished piece. I believe it's called a Tapanga (with an "a"). The British company Ralph Martindale and Co., Ltd. (referred to as Martindale) makes the same blade - with the crocodile logo.

There are quite a few of these out there - they are post war, not WWII. Made for the export Agriculture market..."Made in Czechoslovakia" is the give away. Made for home use would read "Vyrobeno v Československu" or some variation.

I know three distinct models of this brand's mactete. I think of the Ontario Old Hickory kitchen cutlery when I see these. The blade is going to be carbon steel. Unfortunately I do not know the actual manufacturer's name. Since Martindale was established in 1874, I would not be at all surprised to learn of some collaboration between the companies - as we have today between knife manufacturers.

As for any insights on your restoration questions...I am not much help there. I'm sorry. I have every confidence others here will be able to assist you better.

Good luck with your restoration - please keep us updated on this one - I would very much like to follow your efforts.

Once restored, you can choose to keep the metal polished and use Renwax or some variation to preserve it.
Or for a more natural look, you can give it a patina with mild acidics - vinegar, mustard, apples, strawberries, etc. this protectant looks good and protects the metal similar to gun bluing, without being so dark in color.
Search for "forced patina" and you will find a lot of variations.

Thanks all! I’ll have updates coming!

Reverand wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 2:23 am Once restored, you can choose to keep the metal polished and use Renwax or some variation to preserve it.

Hey, Rev .... Will Renwax restore old stag handles that have lost their luster? Is it worth buying some to try and re-furbish some handles?

Very cool machete!!

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 12:35 am

Reverand wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 2:23 am Once restored, you can choose to keep the metal polished and use Renwax or some variation to preserve it.

Hey, Rev .... Will Renwax restore old stag handles that have lost their luster? Is it worth buying some to try and re-furbish some handles?

I have not tried it. I am only going by what a lot of other folks say on here.
I tend to have junker knives which I repair, more than really good knives. I just work mine over on the polishing wheel.

Reverand wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:16 pm

GSPTOPDOG wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 12:35 am

Reverand wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 2:23 am

I have not tried it. I am only going by what a lot of other folks say on here.
I tend to have junker knives which I repair, more than really good knives. I just work mine over on the polishing wheel.

I have been surprised how much a simple wire wheel on a grinder will improve the look of a blade.