I picked up this Tramontina Machete at Lowe's.I haven't had one in my hands since Vietnam.

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The Ontario brands may be better.
I especially like the shorter ones that have a blade approximately 15 or 16 inches long.
You can cut down a 9 to 10 inch diameter tree with one of these faster than yoy might think.

What's your blade length? I got an 18" one this summer, with nylon Tramontina sheath. My son also has two.
I also have an older Corneta machete with 12" blade, very handy when more blade isn't needed.

I think Tramontina is the best buy, but you need to sand down the proud handle slabs to the tang and maybe recontour a bit.

We got ours from a site that sells them that way and properly honed for about six bucks over basic price, a fantastic deal.
I think the shop is called Baryonyx.

But I think my son found the sheaths at Lowe's.

Years back someone was selling Chinese machete's for about 10 bucks a pop. Thick blades and didn't have the pointy end such as yours. usually you use a file to do a quick sharpen. File slid off both. got a couple cheap stones and had at it. Both took a razor edge. 1" saplings went at the first shot. 2" and bigger just a few whacks. Small trees were no match. Still have them and usually one goes with me when I bush hog the property in back of the house down to the bayou. Hey guy's gotta have some fun. Frank

I have a 10 inch blade one.As you are aware they are made in Brazil.
Regards, Ray

I carry a golok on my four wheeler and a machete in my Jeep. Both get used a fair bit on the farm. I prefer the golok because of it's thick heavy blade but both are really handy to have.

I carry a US surplus machete (18'') on my 4 wheeler. It has come in handy on a few occasions. A few electrical tie wraps hold it in place, handy but sort of out of my way.

I made a thread asking for help in sharpening it, many years ago!

Sharpening a very dull machete!07-09-2013

Lots of good advice in there!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

What is the quality like on these newer machetes? Is the steel really soft...and in need of continuous resharpening? I would like to get a good quality one, but I haven't bought or handled one for so long that I'm not sure what to expect. I don't see them for sale at the stores very often. I'd be happy with an old-school one with wood handles. Up to now, I have been using a old cane cutter...which has worked pretty well on saplings and grape vines over the years.

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Smith. And Wesson. And Me!

I think I have the same machete, an 18-inch Tramontina that I bought from Baryonyx, including the blade and handle tuneup.

Machete Specialists has a 5-pack of Tramontina machetes for about $30. They are made in a lighter gauge steel. You can put an edge on them, but they are best reserved for lighter stuff, or the edge will roll. The 15-inch bolo is my favorite from that batch.

You don’t have to pay much for a decent machete from Imacasa or Tramontina, as little as tekn or fifteen bucks. You will have to pay more for heavier-duty choppers. The 14-inch Golok from Condor is pretty versatile. It works ok on lighter stuff, but really comes into its own on branches up to an inch. The blade is 5mm thick at the base, with a convex grind. I have taken down 5-inch Chinese elms with it, although a Swede saw or chain saw is really better-suited.

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For some reason I have three machetes. Picked them up in bundled trades over the years.

1.) a WW II True Temper (military issue)
2.) a Case XX Survival Machete for a pilot (military issue)
3.) a Blackie Collins marked Machete

Not sure why I keep them, but still have them...........

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Most machete blades are not treated to a high hardness, usually 53-58 on the Rockwell scale. If they are harder, they will tend to chip, rather than roll, if thy hit something hard like steel or a rock. Decent machetes should hold up okay if you use them on the materials they are intended for. But can you get through a whole afternoon of whacking without hitting something you shouldn’t?

I rarely see machetes for sale in stores, except Sportsmen’s Guide. I have better luck finding them online. Baryonyx and Machete Specialists are good places to look, as well as Amazon. Nothing wrong than wood handles. I find them more comfortable than plastic. Baryonyx will put an edge on theirs and contour the handles. Otherwise, you may have to do that yourself. The higher- priced blades will typically come with a decent to excellent edge, although not always.

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I believe my machete is from Cold Steel. Offhand, that's what I recollect. Presently, it is inaccessible at the same friend's home who has most of my guns after the fire last April, or I'd check it immediately to remind myself and tell y'all.

I think genuine Collins machetes are collectors' items now. The firm closed about 1967. Used to be the standard brand...

My Corneta Model 127 is a copy of the Collins Model 127. Has a plastic handle, prob. a polypropylene. It is comfortable.

I got it over 20 years ago at an Army surplus store. I think this Corneta company is now closed, although another firm uses that name.

My Corneta was made in El Salvador. Tramontina, as Ray noted, is made in his land, Brazil. I've seen their steak knives in some US restaurants.

There's a photo of Ana Beatriz Barros on the Net, showing her standing in a jungle river, holding a vine above, a round-butt Tramontina with black handle tucked into her bikini. It is unsuitable for this board, but some may enjoy it. Alas, the blade is rusty or dirty from recent jungle use. I hope we all take better care of our machetes. No need to take care of Ana Beatriz: she married some billionaire a year or two ago. Has millions of her own, too.

I think that picture was taken by a Sports Ill. photographer who also worked for Victoria's Secret, where Ana B. modeled for some time. She was also in the SI Swimsuit Issue. Anyway, it's my favorite photo of a machete in "use".

I think the blade length is 18 inches. Ana Beatriz is about six feet. A girl who many men can "look up to"...

I've cleared a LOT of brush and saplings with a cheap ($19.95) Gerber Gator machete, and it has held up to the abuse and resharpening quite well. I mean surprisingly well. I really beat the **** out of that thing! The saw-tooth back on that blade has come in danged handy as well, and really cuts! I never go to the farm without it.
A while back I picked up a Woodsman's Pal (not a cheap option!), and I actually ended up liking the Gerber better for most of my needs.
Nothing beats a decent machete!

YouTube has a lot of good machete videos, most in English.

Well worth a look.

Try a Tramontina like that in the OP, and order from Baryonyx to get the honed blade and reshaped handle, wooden. I think you'll be pleased. They also sharpen the point, so you can thrust, if need be.

Just for amusement, I've opened candy and cereal bars with my Tramontina. I VERY CAREFULLY slice off the top of the wrapper. Do this, if at all, at your own risk. I don't do it often. Just when I feel in a jungle explorer mood and want to try the stunt. Usually, I have more sense.

My earliest machete memories are from jungle movies and TV shows and a book I read about a boy and his dad exploring in Brazil. They had machetes, of course, and I was intrigued. The lad had a .25-35 Winchester M-94 as his rifle and I think it'd take most jungle animals there well.

I picked up a Southern Grind (Zack Brown) Grand Daddy machete last year. Black powder coat. Have no use for it, just thought it was super cool. Better be cool for $180.

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9tenz

I've got a 12" CRKT machete. Great balance and quality.

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My Golok is a Condor. It has been great but it is 10 years old. I am not sure what the new ones are like.

When one needs a big chopper there aren't a lot of substitutes. I have an old "Made in USA" Collins cruising axe. It has been well taken care of. I mentioned the golok and machete. The one I really like is my chainsaw. If you own a timber tract you run a tractor and a chainsaw a lot. I am trying to design a carrier for that tractor that holds the chainsaw with oil/fuel etc, the axe and the machete.

Have a Kubota L3800 which is an older model. They did supply a small tool box on the back behind the drivers seat. I went to the orangetractorforums.com and found a couple that had been setup with a 40mm ammo can appropriately painted with Kubota orange. The little factory tool box will hold a large adjustable wrench, folding wood saw, battery terminal cleaner and a 4" paint brush for cleaning the screen in front of the radiator and that is it. Since drilling into the ROP or roll over protection bars will void the warranty Some owners used pvc pipe held in place with hose clamps when they carry rakes or shovels. As an aside I keep finding the ball joints where the lift arms keep rusting even when smeared with wheel bearing grease. Found a couple spray cans of wire rope/chain lube. Quick pass with a small wire brush and heavy coat of the spray lube. Seems to be working as it's extremely tacky so stays where it's put. One word of caution about using it. very hard to get it off your hands and wear old clothes. Stuff doesn't wash out. Frank

While cleaning out my shed from hell as my wife calls it. Found a Corona machete I forgot I even had. blade on one side and saw teeth on the other,very springy so just make a few passes with a cheap stone. However the Gerber machete is like a heavier version of the old sugar cane knife except the blade is much thicker and stone sharpenable. 1" saplings gone in 2 strokes. Course bigger saplings will take a few more whacks. Does have a nice nylon sheath that uses a zipper to enclose the blade. A decent sugar cane knife with a proper sharpened blade will do through vines like a hot knife through butter. Works well on small trees. haven't seen any for sale around here lately. Still have the scar on the back of my head when I over extended my swing and got whacked . Didn't even feel it and thought I backed into a bunch of fresh trimmed tree limbs. The wife noticed the dried blood and off to the ER for 6 stiches. Stay safe. Frank

I bought my first Golok in 2013, and another in 2017 for my son. They haven’t changed in that time, except for the price, but it is still an excellent chopper and a high-quality product.

The Gerber Gator machete never gave me much satisfaction.

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Thanks for the replies to my questions. I'll follow up on those suggestions. Sitting here, I just had another idea - the antique malls and shops around this part of the country, especially along the highways in Kentucky have a lot of old tools and farm implements. It wouldn't be too outrageous to find a vintage machete in one of those places.

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Smith. And Wesson. And Me!

That Gerber Gator is a poor excuse for anything as far as I am concerned.

Frank, what brand of lube is it that you use? I don't think most city people understand how dirty you can get using a tractor. Bush hogging roads is the worst. We own an L2501. I love this tractor.

I went to a medium size gun show Sunday, and there were a few vendors with all sorts of machetes and small axes for sale. They went from older(possibly collector types) to things that looked like they were just made.

A good chance gun shows will have these tools in your area. I only looked as I walked by but some of those items looked well made. Do not remember prices, but at most gun shows you can dicker!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

A few of my machetes....have the "blood of a thousand meadows on them."

For all of my field survey work...I would pick a high carbon steel bladed machete over a stainless steel one, any day of the week.

I own a variety of machetes...but my biggest problem with them, are the sheaths; that seem to wear out very quickly. I can work better with a shoulder strapped machete sheath; or I'll just stick & tie the sheath between my back and work belt.

Sometimes I prefer the 22" blades, because I can reach overhead vines better with them; but them seem a bit too unwieldy and unbalanced for me ---Though most of the 18" and under machetes are more balanced --- imho.

Working out in the sun: The wooden handle machetes feel cooler to the touch, compared to the plastic handled ones.

I make my own out of old crosscut saws. The steel in those old saw is very hard. I had to heat the area for the handle holes cherry red in order to drill it with my drill press. The edge was was started with a side grinder and finished with a belt sander. Handle is made from a cutting board and the the rivets from 1/4" copper tubing. Case although not pretty is functional. Made from vasaline impregnated card board wrapped in duct tape. Made one for my Dad back in the 80's. My son is still using it.

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Why the vaseline?

Cardboard and duct tape has been a standby for me. The triangular boxes they ship in is a good source of material. At least you can be sure it will be long enough.

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Of the three, this is the one I like best

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I've had several machetes over the years and my favorite by far is my Cold Steel Kukri with 13" heavy blade. It has a rubber handle which is much better than wood or hard plastic but you still should use gloves if you're going to do much chopping. My property has tons of vines and with the short heavy blade you can get in tight areas and still strike with some power and it stays sharp for quite a while but resharpening with my Dremel tool just takes a minute or two. I carry it strapped to the front luggage rack on my Kawasaki Grizzly four wheeler and use it on our deer lease also and I paid under twenty bucks for it at Academy so I didn't really expect it to last that long but it has done well and it has paid for itself many times over.

I have stood behind a machete in the woods, briars, and swamps of East Texas for literally thousands of miles. I am a RPLS here. For my money, the Ontario Knife 24" with the hand guard is the only way to go. Barteaux used to make a good one as well, but after having a run of brittle handles, I quit buying them.

Regards,
Bruce

I have a WWII Collins & Co. Machete dated 1942. Also two Nepalese Khukuris and boy are they heavy.

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RudyN
NRA Patron Life Member

Had a nice one made in Sheffield England for many years. Went in to grab some water, came back to the ally I was cleaning and never saw it again. I found it in the trash when I was a garbage man in the 70s.
Coco

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Keep on Chooglin'

I have two machetes, one is probably a collector's item, a WWII era British Army issue, I can't remember the maker...I'll have to dig it out and smpnap a picture. The other is a US military surplus version, probably authentic, as I've had it since I was a kid. Never thinking about "collector's value", I've used them both around the farm for years. I'll try to remember to hunt them up for a photo op.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

My only machete is at least 45 years old. A Waylett, made in Sheffield England. Just used it today, cutting down the last of the corn stalks, putting the garden to bed.

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Because its clear and it keeps the blade from rusting. I guess you could use any kind grease but it would be nasty. Mine that I have made ride in the toolbox or behind the seat. Sheathed as such. They have never rusted.

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S&W Accumulator

The blade is a 18"

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Life is short,live it fully.

White Cloud, give me a couple days till I get out to the garage. I bought the wire rope and chain lube locally and as best as I can remember should have one or two cans left. Spray lube brown-blackish in color and as I mentioned darn hard to get off the hands and darn near impossible to get it off your clothes. Kubota sells a moly grease for all the lube fittings on your tractor. Hands usually clean up with gojo but never washes out of clothes. Frank

I HAVE AN 18", POLYMER, D-HANDLED, BLAKIE COLLINS MODEL, MANUFACTURED BY ONTARIO. IT HAS A BLACK OXIDE COATED, HIGH CARBON BLADE, THAT HOLDS A GOOD EDGE.....

I USE IT WHILE HOG HUNTING IN FLORIDA.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Same here, only mine came from estate sales!

A Collins Legitimus made in Guatemala
A US LC-14-B (Woodman's Pal)
A Case XX Survival Machete

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"I also cook."

White Cloud. the wire rope and chain lube I spoke about the other night is made by "GUNK". Says for chains,wire rope and is fortified with moly. Couldn't find the big can. Best to wear old pair of gloves, and old clothes. I wire brush those pesky joints that allow the lifting arms to self align, then spray the heck out of them. Regular grease such as a #2 just disappears after awhile. This stuff is extremely tacky and stays put. Hope this helps. Frank

Below are some of mine, The small one on the left is from Uruguay and used to strip the leaves and top off of sugar cane stalks, next a Louisiana "cane knife" cane now mechanically harvested so used mainly for yard work. The one with wooden sheath is from Philippines. leather sheath one from Costa Rica.
They say in Latin America, to get a good machete click the blade with your thumbnail. If it rings the steel is good, if it sounds dull keep looking.

The Bicentenial model was made by INCOLMA in Colombia for 1976 celebrations in the US this one was given to me then by a friend from Colombia. I have never seen one in the US maybe they didn't ship them in time?
Steve W

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I have an 18" with polymer handle. Hand sewed the sheath to my bug-out back pack....easy reach over my right shoulder...also a 10" axe in the back pack. Don't ask me why....it's because I can!

One of my favorite blades is the Varusteleka Skrama, shown here with its companion knife, the Jakkaaripuukko. The Skrama is modeled after the seax, the short sword or utility knife carried by some Scandinavians, and most notably the Saxons, for whom, by some accounts, it is eponymous. (Saxons=people of the seax).

It has not been all that useful to me around the house and yard, at least compared to some other blades. It is really handy in camp, however. It chops reasonably well, exceptionally so for its 9” blade. Eight inches of handle allows you to grip it at the back and generate good head speed, like a longer machete.

Choke up and it becomes quite nimble in hand. The last inch and a half of blade is ground to a sharper angle than the rest of the blade, allowing for finer carving.

The three machetes are all from Condor. The Baryonyx machete, left, and the Golok, center, have been particularly useful around the yard. The Baryonyx ghosts its way through grasses without requiring much speed. It is extremely effective on cane and smaller branches, and it chops surprisingly well despite the relatively thin blade. It doesn’t throw chips like a thicker blade, but cuts deeper, due to the sharp edge and the weight behind it.

The Golok is simply a brush-eating monster, really good at delimbing downed trees. The blade is 5 or 6mm thick, with an axe-like convex edge.

Some people prefer the Pack Golok, claiming it chops better than the longer blade. I have not found that to be the case, but it is more portable.

Most Condor blades come with very nice leather sheaths.

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Here is an interesting book for those who would like to read about Collins Co. their history and their Machetes. Probably available on Amazon or similar book seller. Includes a lot of information on Bowie knives and others they made for the Military.
Steve W

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Mine is a 20" marked Ontario Knife US. It has a plastic D guard handle and a heavy nylon sheath.

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WAR EAGLE!

I have that book. Not too common, I think.

I met the late author once. He was famed for his handmade Bowies and his personality, which was rather gruff.

When we met at a show, I planned to write a profile on him for a knife magazine. I was publishing a lot of profiles then.

After less than half an hour, I decided that I wanted no part of publicizing him and left. He was one of the most abrasive people whom I've ever met.

But I think his book on Collins is accurate and a good reference.