12" Ontario Machete

Sufler

Sufler

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Oct 15, 2005
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I'd appreciate some feedback on this particular machete. Not particular primary use for mine (if I do get it). I've never had a machete and this one would probably spend most of its time strapped to my pack that I keep in the trunk of my car.

Are there better alternatives in the same price range?

Thanks!
 
Ontario, Tramontina, or Condor are all excellent choices. Condor is my favorite. It's funny you should mention the 12" Ontario model, as I'm in the process of adding it to the site right now! Their biggest problems out of the packaging are boxy handles that aren't flush with the tang, dull rolled edges, and rounded points. They're ugly, but they're good steel and tough as a truck. I round the scales, put a thin convex edge on them, and grind the last few inches of the spine to reestablish a point before they go up for sale. Doesn't help their looks much, but it makes them a lot more useful!
 
I have a two 12" Ontario machetes one with the Orange D-guard handle and a black handled one with Saw back. Am thinking of turning one of them into a clip point. The 12" Tramontina is also nice. I don't have the Condor so can't comment, but feel that one can't go wrong with the other two. :)
 
I have a 12" Ontario with the black plastic handle. With some TLC they can be made into a good machete but for about the same money you can get a Condor Golok or Mini Bolo (my next condor) :D I purchased my Ontario from SMKW & it was really dull & the edge wasn't even. I worked on it a little & got it into decent shape but not like it can be. If I had it to do over, I would have purchased a Condor. This is just my .02 on it, I'm sure you will get several opinions on these machetes.
 
coaldigger said:
I have a 12" Ontario with the black plastic handle. With some TLC they can be made into a good machete but for about the same money you can get a Condor Golok or Mini Bolo (my next condor) :D I purchased my Ontario from SMKW & it was really dull & the edge wasn't even. I worked on it a little & got it into decent shape but not like it can be. If I had it to do over, I would have purchased a Condor. This is just my .02 on it, I'm sure you will get several opinions on these machetes.
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My general thoughts too, but it's nice having a USA-made option at least. It's just pretty damn hard to compete with the Central/South American machete producers when it comes to both labor AND experience. :thumbup:
 
Marbles is made by Imacasa and is of the same quality of Condor. They tend to run less expensive too. The Ontario is a great "one machete" design, maybe the best 'allarounder' out there.
 
The Marbles pieces just tend to be a little rougher in the fit/finish department and may require extra finishing. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Ontario, Tramontina, or Condor are all excellent choices. Condor is my favorite. It's funny you should mention the 12" Ontario model, as I'm in the process of adding it to the site right now! Their biggest problems out of the packaging are boxy handles that aren't flush with the tang, dull rolled edges, and rounded points. They're ugly, but they're good steel and tough as a truck. I round the scales, put a thin convex edge on them, and grind the last few inches of the spine to reestablish a point before they go up for sale. Doesn't help their looks much, but it makes them a lot more useful!
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So true on the handles. I've owned 2 of the 18" GI models (a newer one I got a year or 2 ago and I had an older model with the glossy handles) and they're good choppers for medium to light chores, but the factory handle will make your hands sore very quickly. I've heard some say they don't come very sharp out the box but the ones I got had acceptable edges. Not razor sharp but would easily cut flesh with little pressure (though the edge towards the tip is pretty blunt and needs a good sharpening). Indeed they're not pretty but then again, I don't think machetes were met to win beauty pageants.

I also had an 18" Tramontina which was a good machete too but like the Ontraio, the handle needs to be sanded down a tad and the edge does need sharpening. I ended up giving my Tram to my friend's grandfather who uses it often in his garden and it's help up nicely. I would suggest Martindale but I haven't had a chance to use mine yet so I can't comment on performance but most of the reviews I've read are favorable.
 
wildmanh said:
I have a two 12" Ontario machetes one with the Orange D-guard handle and a black handled one with Saw back. Am thinking of turning one of them into a clip point. The 12" Tramontina is also nice. I don't have the Condor so can't comment, but feel that one can't go wrong with the other two. :)
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I did that with a 12" ontario, it looks like it has strong influence from a Collins #18 with no guard. I like it alot, though I haven't replaced the scales yet.

There is nothing wrong with the 12" Ontario. Nor many of the other brands listed. Personal taste and use wins against all opinion.

I have been using the Condor Golok mostly, both the new full tang, and the older half tang, without the handles pinned on (removed). They are much more packable without the handles. The new one has a skeletonized tang, so you could paracord it. The old tang was solid except for the brass pin holes, and feels pretty good naked in a gloved hand. I think it is a good mix of thick edge versus thin edge, and I am pretty happy with the length of the blade and it's abilities.
 
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I have a 12" Ontario. It is a good tool, I sanded the handle to fit me better. For the money you can't go wrong by much. I would like to give the 12' Condor a try.I have small hands. It might fit me better.
 
ron_m80 said:
I did that with a 12" ontario, it looks like it has strong influence from a Collins #18 with no guard. I like it alot, though I haven't replaced the scales yet.
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Thats how I'd like my tip to be. Thanks for mentioning the Collins #18, I'll probably use pics of it as a reference for my mods.
 
Thanks very much to those who participated in this thread and offered opinions. To be completely honest, I'm still undecided. I know the money isn't necessarily big (in comparison to $ we spend on other knives, and hobbies), but I don't want to spend $ on a piece I won't end up liking.

Thanks again!
 
I have the 12" Ontario without the d-handle or saw back. I modded it ala "Pict' of the WSS sub-forum. Besides my SAK it is probably the most used of all my outdoor carry blades. I convexed the chopping sweet spot and put a Scandi grind up close to the handle. It outchopped my C.S. Trailmaster and my Brute in a fair contest on a hardwood log. I got a good sheath from Ben Meadows and made a PSK to attach to it. I carry it balmoral fashion and very rarely head out into the woods or even the garden without it. Get one!--KV
 
Sufler said:
Thanks very much to those who participated in this thread and offered opinions. To be completely honest, I'm still undecided. I know the money isn't necessarily big (in comparison to $ we spend on other knives, and hobbies), but I don't want to spend $ on a piece I won't end up liking.

Thanks again!
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Most everyone here seems to have a favorable opinion on the Ontario and it's cheap enough you won't miss the money very much if you don't like it. Plus as there are many possibilities for cool customizations. I say get it or even a Tramontina which will put you out less than $20 including s&h and if you don't like it, sell it, give it to a friend or just keep it in your car like you said that way even if you don't like, you'll at least have it if the situation ever arises.
 
My modded 12"

Served me well for years. Get a convex edge and go to work.

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18"
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I have a couple of the 12" Ontario's. They were the first machetes I purchased and I keep one in each vehicle for "whatever". Don't get the sawback edge and I prefer the regular handle to the D handle. Wear gloves if you use it much. The handles are not real comfy without a fair amount of work.

I prefer the Condor Golok (14" vs 12"). The handle is very user friendly and the optional leather sheath is fantastic! The Condor has replaced the Ontario's for me. But I still leave an Ontario in my vehicles. I have two Golok's. One is for work and the other is for woods use. The work one gets used a good bit, but I have banged the edge up a bit on rocks.
 
Here are the two goloks I have. The older one has been reprofiled for nearly full flat grind, which greatly reduced the weight. I also have reduced the tang/ handle down quite a bit. The newer one under the factory handle looks uglier to me, but it is a mod'freaks dream as it is really flat, and allows for rehandling cleanly.

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Sorry about the glare in the second photo.
 
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