Machete The Big Knife.

[Frank46]

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

 

[Frank46]

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

 

[Marshwheeling]

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.

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.

 

[500SNW]

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.

 

[white cloud]

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.

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

 

[white cloud]

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

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.

 

[NYlakesider]

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.

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!

 

[Erno86]

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.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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.

 

[Marshwheeling]

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.

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.

 

[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...........

Of the three, this is the one I like best

 

[Farmer17]

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.

 

[bruce5781]

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

 

[RudyN]

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

 

[coco]

no more

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

 

[snubbyfan]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9QtzELnqaw[/ame]

 

[les.b]

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

 

[Rudi]

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.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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.

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.

 

[MCorps0311]

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.

The blade is a 18"