Machetes

opaul

opaul

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I'm looking at getting a few nice machetes for the property and for by B.O.B. I've picked up a Gerber and most recently a nice Condor parang. I'd like to pick up a couple of more, one with a ~16 inch blade and one with a ~12 inch blade. I just looked online at a Svord Kiwi 12 inch, and the specs look good.
Anybody got one they can share opinions? Would also like some recomendations if you have any you really like.
Tx
 
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When i lived in Costa Rica i had one but cant remember what brand it was. Wish i still had it lol that thing saved my bacon a few times in the deep jungle :D
 
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Gunslinger808 said:
Bark River Golok, they're expensive but awesome.
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I also need one. Don't want too spend a lot of money, but I don't buy junk.

Use it for clearing bush in the woods behind the house, and a snake or two.

I think about 30". Any suggestions?

I might carry it on hikes in the woods.

Guy22
 
The guys who make their living cutting sugar cane with machetes say the blade on a good machete will "ring" when you flick it with your thumbnail. A low quality blade will make a dull sound
The "gold standard" for many years as the US made Collins brand today many countries produce them, some good, and some bad.
Steve W
 
Kabar Kukri Machete

I have a Kabar Kukri Machete that does a GREAT job.

Was so impressed that I bought a second one to carry in the truck.

It has most of the weight at the far end, and this really adds momentum to the swinging slashing clearing of brush. Have not checked it out on Zombies ...

I have had a S&W Kukri and a Cold Steel Kukri (the lower priced one apx $20 amazon.) They had thinner blades and weighed much less. I was not happy with them.

Ka-Bar Black Kukri Machete on Amazon - current price is $44.03 and has FREE SHIPPING. (Not an auction)

http://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-2-1249...F8&qid=1341229203&sr=8-1&keywords=kabar+kukri

I must admit that the sheath is not of impressive quality.

Bekeart
 
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Martindale, but I've read the wooden handles of some have to be shaped to fit both the hand and the tang.

A crocodile logo is on the blades and they have a long reputation. UK-made. Various lengths.

If you get longer than an 18-inch blade, better have a specialized use and be a tall man. A 12" blade is useful, too, but prob. not as your basic machete.

In Africa, a machete is called a panga. You may encounter that word in books set there.

My sole example now is a 12" Corneta, made in El Salvador.
 
Check out what Cold Steel has to offer. CS has its fanboys as well as its detractors, but it makes some decent blades that are tough and affordable.
 
Stevens said:
The guys who make their living cutting sugar cane with machetes say the blade on a good machete will "ring" when you flick it with your thumbnail. A low quality blade will make a dull sound
The "gold standard" for many years as the US made Collins brand today many countries produce them, some good, and some bad.
Steve W
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Stevens knows what he is talking about-
here is another popular type-the Mexicans swear by them :D

Seymour 2P-CN13 Sugar Cane Knife 13"

I had a nice one that came from Costa Rica-the handle was a bit smaller in circumference and the blade was only about 10" but lordy that thing could hold an edge and it swung like a beast! Unfortunately it is long gone.
 
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Cane machetes and survial machetes are diametrically opposed. Try looking at a "Woodsmans Pal".
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The one on the left is from WWII.
 
I had a succession of cheap ones over the years. Some made to look like milsurp. Then I bought my Collins. Its as much fun to work with as a work tool can be.

Then one year we were cleaning up a camp. Somehow I'd forgotten my machete and asked a friend to borrow his. The first whack at a poison ivy vine it bent. Sure, it was a thick vine, but easily within the range of what a good machete can do. The friend looked at it and commented "guess the heat treating wasn't first rate". Nope. I gave it back to him..in worse condition than I got it. Then that night I took the garage apart looking for mine. I found two of the old ones, plus the Collins. So I gave the worse of the early ones to the guy with the now bent blade. He said thanks and tossed his in the trash barrel. So I yelled at him and told him to fish it back out, the sheath was better than the one I'd given him. He thought about it, then pulled it back out, took it out of the sheath and tossed the knife back in the barrel.
 
Take a look at Bladematrix.com for a lot of brands, decent prices, and the couple of times I ordered from them, their customer service was perfect.
The brand I bought was made by Ontario Cutlery, which I read made machetes for the Marines. Not very expensive and available in several sizes. The "economy" models have thinner blades which make it easier to swing for an old geezer like me, and both the economy and regular (heavy) models come in various lengths. Buy the better grade sheath, (sold separately) though, rather than the economy model.
They have several other brands as well if you don't like the Ontario brand.

Myron
 
I hate using a machette. They will wear you out if you have a cheap one or if you don't know how to use one. I gave up one using one years ago. Collins makes a good machette, Cold Steel makes a good one if not an over priced one.
 
I have a Blackie Collins I bough about 15 years ago and this thing has been everywhere and done everything. I don't know the exact model but it works well on everything.
 
I would use Tramonita. They are made in Brazil. That is a country where they understand machetes. Mine is a 12" blade model. You can sharpen it with a file and a brick. I have used mine to hack clubs out of pieces of hardwood..

Ontario makes tge USGI models. I don't think they have changed since the Vietnam era. Blades are a bit thick and heavy. This leads to fatigue.

In much of North America you will do better with an axe.
 
What the gentlemen are saying 'bout the old ones is true...some nice steel there.

If you're on a budget, Bud's gun shop has some Gerber's for like $15 that I would recommend...significantly better quality than most out there (foregoing some of the aged examples).

I use mine for extended camping or canoeing trips; seems to work just fine.
 
+1 for the Woodsmans Pal...best short length machete out there. Dont be fooled by the shorter style machetes. Long blades work for some things. It sounds strange but use the shorter blades for heavier stuff and the longer for lighter type cutting like taller grasses and soft foliage. Shorter blades when you cut actual wood like tree limbs. Personally, these days if I cant get my 7 ft bush hog in there then I probably aint doin' it with a machete either.
 
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