Lets see those machetes

[David LaPell]

For me a machete is more than just a cool tool, ever since I screwed up my arm, a chainsaw is out of the question and even normal pruning tools down work very well. I have a large Black Collins I keep around that I have owned for 20 years but I decided I needed something more practical, so a couple months back I picked up this Ontario 12 inch machete. I didn't like the finish on which was a greenish black so I added a green of my own that I can see a bit better and then some black just to use up the can. I have used this thing a bit more (painted it recently) and I like the fact that it trims nettles and thicker brush and doesn't tire me out like the long blade does. Anyone else have some old fashioned brush clearing tools like this?

[G.T. Smith]

Peace,
gordon

[THE PILGRIM]

It's a repost. But I'm not really a machete type of guy.
This is a Filipino Negrito handmade bolo.
Probably made from a car spring.
But it does have Ginuwine water buffalo horn handles.

[G.T. Smith]

I just couldn't resist posting a picture of Danny because that is my grand daughters favorite movie. Here is a picture of a whacker I made for beating limbs out of the way on the way to the deer stand or whatever. It is an old hoe heated and turned around sideways. I have made a few of these for friends. This one is welded to a piece of stainless tubing with the beautiful duct tape handle. I made one for a friend and he has kept it alongside of his recliner for many years.
'Bout as close to a machete as I own. I have had a couple machetes but they were cheap and didn't hold up very well. These are tough. Didn't realize how easily that stainless tubing rusted.
Peace,
Gordon

[ColbyBruce]

This Esee Junglas sports a ten inch blade. This thing slices through limbs, small trees, and pumpkins with ease.

[Smith357]

I have a few Machetes they are great tools.


1944 True Temper USGI



WWII British Machete with Osage Orange scales




Cold Steel Kukri Machete

[Arik]

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

It's a repost. But I'm not really a machete type of guy.
This is a Filipino Negrito handmade bolo.
Probably made from a car spring.
But it does have Ginuwine water buffalo horn handles.

[Marshwheeling]

At first, I was a little doubtful of this Gondor Golok machete. The round cross-section of the handle felt awkward in my hand. Now that I am used to it, it is one of the best brush-cutting tools I have used. The blade is thicker and shorter than the typical machete, and is almost more like an axe with its heavy blade and convex grind.

[bamacisa]

David, I have a Ontario machete just like yours. (not painted) It is a great tool. I also gave my son in law one like that and he likes it and uses it alot.

[30-30remchester]

SMITH357's top blade has some history it appears. I wish I was smart enough to post pictures. I have quite a few WW1 and WW 2 and vietnam machetes.

[Texas Star]

My only one now is a 12-inch bladed Corneta No. 127. Very nicely made in El Salvador. The brand seems to be owned by a larger firm called Imacasa. I think this is a replica of a formerly Collins-made item, and comes in several blade lengths. It (in 18-inch form) looks just like the True-Temper above, but the edge on that one has been reground, much higher up. And the Corneta No. 127 edge is ground further back. I think it looks better that way.

I want an 18-incher too, or a similar one by Martindale or Tramontina. A tall man can use a 22-incher, but longer ones seem thinner and more flexible and mainly meant to cut grass or other light vegetation, not as all-rounders.

I grew up reading jungle adventure stories and watching such TV shows and movies, and always wanted a few good machetes. They're good for clearing campsites and hunting blinds as well as for clearing a path through jungle.

I've seen pics of the damage they'll do to a human opponent, too, and one might save you from a bad dog or coyote, maybe a snake, especially on a limb. Eyelash vipers and such like to occupy limbs. So do some US species.

My son has used US-issued machetes a lot, the Ontario brand, and says they're good enough, if not fancy. From what I've read, the handle scales aren't always flush with the tang and have to be sanded down to avoid abrading the hand in prolonged use. Ditto for some other brands.

And I gather that many brands need to have the edge re-profiled before serious use.

I'll probably wind up ordering one by mail. Hard to find good ones here.

I have the late D.E. Henry's book on Collins, and they used to make a whole slew of models. Copies of some seem still to be made by other firms. The real Collins firm folded about 1965.

I kinda like the bolo machetes, too, with relatively rounded points and blades of about 15 inches.

[Texas Star]

Smith .357-

Guy-Harold, is your British WW II machete marked with a brand name? Is the handle original, and did you regrind the edge?

Thanks.

[oldbrownhat]

I just got a Woodman's Pal Classic. I'd been thinking of one of these ever since I saw a WWII-vintage military model in an antique store for the exalted price of $180. (Not surprisingly, it's still there.) So when the mfr. had them on sale recently I ordered one.

Perhaps not the first choice for self-defence - although the sight of one raised in anger might initiate a Depends™ moment - but pretty dandy for clearing bush and brambles.



Plus, they've been made in the USA since 1941.

[rburg]

I've got a few. Some out in the garage, the Collins is safe in the gun room. Its older than the OPs, and it has a worked leather sheath. The odd part about the sheath is it has a seam, down the middle of the underside. That might be what convinced me to buy it. It looked like it was quality.

I used to work with a guy that managed a plantation for Chiquita down in Panama. His response to the one I bought was that it was a good one, that I should either keep it, or give it to him.

Growing up I bought one from the local Army-Navy store. No production markings and I assume Japan or worse. A poor copy of the US ones.

For a number of years I used mine to cut poison ivy vines. Even if cheap it worked well. Then one day I forgot to bring it. A buddy was all smiles and offered to loan me his. And I thought mine was cheap. His wasn't heat treated and bent like a boomrang at the first attempt. I returned it to him and offered to pay for my damages. He was a good sport about it, bent it back sort of straight, then tossed it in a trash barrel.

So I moved to an old Marbles hand axe. It really took an edge. And for the thicker vines, it was murder. Then after a couple of years I discovered how much it was worth. My $15 axe was selling for over $200 at gun shows. That was when I bought my Collins.

These days I leave most of the vine cutting to the younger guys. But I carry a grudge, a bad one. And there are a few of the really thick vines that are on my short list. Some day when no one is around, I'm taking my Coach gun over and see how it works on the thick ones. I'm guessing that something like 7 1/2 or 8 shot at a few feet will open up a nice gap to prevent growth. Lots easier than chopping, just needs to be done so it doesn't offend the PC lady folks.

[GatorFarmer]

I have a bunch of them, courtesy of when I used to live in SC. They were more useful there than here.

Some of the South African "machetes" sold by Cold Steel are actually swords. The cutlass and gladius are interesting models. I have one of each in a back closet corner, for all my sword like needs.

[THE PILGRIM]

How bout a WWII Case Survival kit machete.
This isn't actually mine. I don't have the scabbord.
But mine is unused, still in the cosmoline.

[Lee Barner]

not a machete, but as close as I have. it is from Norway, 220 miles north of the arctic circle. I traded for it from the Lapps. it is made from a car spring. I think the handle is some kind of maple. it will cut small trees, sweet corn and about anything else I'm strong enough to cut anymore. lee

[opaul]

I love edged weapons, especially machetes. These are a few of mine.

[Smith357]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

And I gather that many brands need to have the edge re-profiled before serious use.

My understanding is machetes are shipped dull and the end user profiles the edge to his needs, this saves tons in shipping costs and legal fees. Some high end ones are ready to use out of the box, they use Ontario or Imacasa blanks.

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Smith .357-

Guy-Harold, is your British WW II machete marked with a brand name? Is the handle original, and did you regrind the edge?

Thanks.

It would be nice if it were a Martindale Croc, but it's just a "Made in Sheffield" model. $5 from the flea market late last summer, the handle was shrunk and warped from age, I pulled the scales and replaced them with Osage Orange. The blade had a few nicks but nothing too bad, a few strokes with the file and it was good to go. It has a thin blade with a nice distal taper, should be perfect for fresh green growth come spring time.

[mc5aw]

Take a look at what the kamis from Himalayan Imports do with spring steel. You'll never buy a machete again.

[Watchdog]

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

It's a repost. But I'm not really a machete type of guy.
This is a Filipino Negrito handmade bolo.
Probably made from a car spring.
But it does have Ginuwine water buffalo horn handles.

I'd just as soon have one like that as a store bought one.

[THE PILGRIM]

Originally Posted by WATCHDOG

I'd just as soon have one like that as a store bought one.

I bought it at the Jungle Survival School snack bar at Clark.
From a Negrito. A number of them worked for the AF at the school.

[opaul]

Originally Posted by THE PILGRIM

I bought it at the Jungle Survival School snack bar at Clark.
From a Negrito. A number of them worked for the AF at the school.

I was stationed at Clark AFB in 1970 before being reassigned to Miyako Jima.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by opaul

I love edged weapons, especially machetes. These are a few of mine.

opaul-

Is the one the third from the right a Collins with a green horn handle? Could just be a trick of the lighting, I guess. I bet that looked nice when new...

You have several there that I truly like.

[gaucho1]

Originally Posted by mc5aw

Take a look at what the kamis from Himalayan Imports do with spring steel. You'll never buy a machete again.

Nicely made..........but bent.............

[opaul]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

opaul-

Is the one the third from the right a Collins with a green horn handle? Could just be a trick of the lighting, I guess. I bet that looked nice when new...

You have several there that I truly like.

Its a 1945 True Temper with canvas case dated 1945.

[mc5aw]

Originally Posted by gaucho1

Nicely made..........but bent.............

Those bends make for some fearsome chopping angles. And the bigger models have 1/2" spines ... even the blades with 1/4" widths are deadly.

[Texas Star]

Historically, the Ghurka khukri is probably descended from the ancient Greek kopis. Alexander's troops introduced those in the area when he invaded India.

John Masters, D.S.O. mentioned the khukris used by his troops in his two-volume autobiography.

1.) Bugles and a Tiger

2.) The Road Past Mandalay

Retired Lt. Col (Brevet Brigadier in WWII ), Prince of Wales's Own Fourth Ghurka Rifles. After the war, he moved to the USA and became a bestselling author.

[loc n load]

First photo is of a "corn knife" that I "rescued" from my great grand dad's farm back in the 60's when he passed.

Second photo is of a Cold steel Panga, a Cold steel "light machete" and a Ontario machete. I carry these in my tool box on my truck.

Third photo is of a full size Ontario machete which I carry in my Jeep, a Cold steel Kukri I carry in my car and my GGD's corn knife that stays in the shop.

[Smith357]

I went to my local tool and machinery store to get a replacement hammer handle I stumbled upon a rack of garden tools and found this for $13. I am truly addicted to edged tools. Does the original vapor paper add to its collectability