I use my light machetes in the kitchen, and I'm really excited to see a razor steel like AEB-L in them, because it implies they can be made wickedly sharp for more delicate work than is typical for brute-force chopping. The NITRO-V variant of AEB-L looks to have improved toughness to handle the stress of chopping, but I'm hoping it will still have the sharpness of a razor steel. The photos of the FBM chopping steel oil drums and bricks was pretty impressive, so if NITRO-V and AEB-L can do that AND remain ridiculously sharp, I think it's worth waiting for. My only concern is that my waiting will be misinterpreted as a lack of interest in the direction these machetes are going in, especially if other people are waiting too.
The most money I have ever spent on a blade is less than $70 for a Baryonyx Machete, and I really prefer to keep the prices down to no more than about $30 to $40. That's the only way I can justify buying many different blades. With the TGM priced at around $130 just for the blade without a handle, I really want to make sure I'm getting something that makes 3 or 4 of my other blades obsolete so they can be sold to help me pay for the new TGM. Specifically, I intend to get the TGM to replace my Mora 333 "sharpened feather" machete, the Friedrich Dick Machete, and my Svord Kiwi Machete. All of them have lengths around 12 to 13 inches. Only the Svord Kiwi Machete is a true chopper with non-stainless L6 tool steel. The Mora and the Friedrich Dick Machete are stainless.
I didn't originally plan to get a bigger machete like the FBM, because the handle on the Baryonyx Machete is big enough to use it two-handed, and I doubt ANY one-handed machete could ever beat that, regardless of what steel it is made of, just because of the extra strength that can go into swinging a two-handed chopper. That said, I would like something longer and lighter, and the 17 inch TGM might be the first blade I buy, because it will cover at least some of the capability of all of the machetes I currently own, in one single blade. That makes it a good value, and worth the MUCH larger cost, if the performance is there.
Beyond the 17 inch TGM, I would want another TGM in 12 inch length to directly replace the Mora, Friedrich Dick, and Svord Kiwi machetes. Next, a big classic FBM and/or bolo FBM would cover some of the Baryonyx Machete's capabilities, but not all of it. Those would be luxury purchases of a machete enthusiast, if I were to buy those. If I don't get scared away before I get that far, then I might be interested in one of the CPM 3V blades coming, but if I bought one (or two...) those would probably be luxury purchases too. If the CPM 3V blades go well, then who knows, maybe the TGM and FBM will become available in CPM 3V, and then I will have to decide if the cost is worth it for a super steel. I might be able to justify it, but I probably wouldn't buy the same blade in AEB-L, NITRO-V, and CPM 3V. I would buy only one, unless I could trade something in for a higher quality steel.
So, here's an idea. If Hunter wants to make TGM's in AEB-L, NITRO-V, and CPM-3V (or whatever), one way to lure in hesitant buyers like me would be to offer some kind of trade-in option. If I bought the first generation TGM in AEB-L, and eventually Hunter decides to standardize on NITRO-V as the "workman grade" and CPM 3V as the "elite grade", it's possible I could be persuaded to buy BOTH if I could trade-in the AEB-L version to apply a significant portion of its value toward a new blade. Let's say I can get 70% to 80% of the value back out of the AEB-L version to apply toward the NITRO-V and/or CPM 3V versions. That would be a decent deal, and it would mean Hunter could give someone else a chance to own the AEB-L blade at a discounted price.
I'm not sure how much interest there would be in an arrangement like that, but even if that particular trade-in idea doesn't work, there might be other creative ways to ensure the experimental machetes sell well, until Hunter settles on some standard steels. I'm probably not interested in doing the trade in on an AEB-L blade, but perhaps Hunter can offer benefits to early-adopter people who buy his experimental blades. Let's say I buy an AEB-L blade, and that entitles me to be first in line to buy a NITRO-V version. Let's also say the first people to buy in the first batch available will get a 5% discount, even if they don't have an AEB-L TGM.
Basically we want to set it up so people buying the AEB-L version will continue to have an advantage over those who don't buy one. If the sales strategy works on me, it will probably work on other buyers too.
Another idea I had is for Hunter to make arrangements with FortyTwoBlades of baryonyxknife.com to carry the TGM in his inventory. I bought all of my machetes from FortyTwoBlades of Baryonyx Knife Company, because he specializes in providing buyers with a good value for the money - and there's a LOT of emphasis on machetes. The TGM might be a good fit, and Hunter would benefit from having a talented salesman to find buyers for the blades. Suddenly 20 experimental AEB-L blades would no longer be a big investment, because the number of machete enthusiasts interested in buying Hunter's blades would grow dramatically. Hunter could then focus on making the blades, doing tests, and all the other things Hunter is good at doing.
No matter how it goes, I'm very interested in seeing Hunter succeed with premium quality machetes.
?)? Put me down for a 17" if you'll have one available - I'll give it a try (and compare to the FB I picked up last year).
