Chris Rayburn

Hi Todd.  I'm really curious if you tried your experiment and what the results were?  I too have been toying with the idea of some way to heat exchange or preferably radiant heat in my crawlspace using an outdoor RMH. I realize that there is the potential for a lot of heat loss at the burn chamber but it seems that this can be captured in another outer chamber and use forced air to move it through another well insulated chase to the return of my central air unit.  I have a 2,000 sq ft home with the floor 18 inches to 4 ft above ground.  I'm in the deep south so we don't have harsh winters but when it is cold, our feet are frozen, and the electric bill is extremely high.  I'm just not sure how effective the different models would be with this building and outside.  I've even considered building multiple RM heaters spaced out to try to radiate the majority of the floorspace.

I have several.  Different styles and quality.  None are very expensive though I've learned to stay away from the "$5" variety (not sure if they are still that cheap.. I haven't purchased in years).   I have a Cold Steel Kukri that is decent.  Several no known brands of varying sizes and styles.  But my favorites are my  Tramontina.    Made in Brasil,  generally very low in price compared to most but a very good quality steel for a machete.  They hold an edge well as well as hold up to abuse.  I bought my first one in a hardware shop in Puerto Rico priced at $11 in 2018.   I've never found one quite that cheap since but I believe they are normally priced under $30.  I live in southern Mississippi where heavy weeds and underbrush grow faster than superman can fly so I use my machetes often.    Honestly I believe the key to choosing the right machete size/style is to choose one that feels right in your hand.. not too heavy, nor light, but when you pick it up, it begs you to swing it and chop something.   The really long ones will rarely get used and the really short ones are only good for soft plants or you will wear your arm out while chopping more than necessary.    Maybe a blade approximately the length of your forearm?  That just a guess as my most used are that size for me.

I get mine from https://www.azurestandard.com.     Azure has been great to work with and they have virtually everything you can imagine that is organic and non GMO.