Machete The Big Knife.

[MCorps0311]

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

 

[smoothshooter]

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.

 

[Texas Star]

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.

 

[Frank46]

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

 

[Ray]

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

 

[white cloud]

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.

 

[NYlakesider]

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!

 

[500SNW]

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.

 

[Marshwheeling]

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

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.

 

[AJ]

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...........

 

[Marshwheeling]

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.

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.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

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.

 

[Texas Star]

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"...

 

[Thin Man]

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!

 

[Texas Star]

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

Well worth a look.

 

[Texas Star]

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.

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.

 

[7tenz]

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.

 

[Lightfoot4]

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

 

[white cloud]

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.

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.

 

[white cloud]

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.