12 or 16"

TimberlineSpyder

TimberlineSpyder

Joined
May 8, 2017
Messages
89
So, gots to have me a machete.... Did a quick search, seems like most have the 12", but would welcome opinions on the 12 vs 16". I'll be using it around the yard, camping, the occasional Zombie apocalypse sorta thing.

I have a prod Bushfinger which I love (but may have to get a handmade one too) Still haven't been able to see or touch my Recluse & Neckmuk that I sharked on the 12th. Will be the 31st before I finally lay eyes on my first handmade FF's. BTW, looked at the preview, I'll be there on Friday!

Anyway, who likes the 12" & who prefers the 16" machete?

Thanks
 
I haven't got a 16" but I love my 12". It definitely gets the most abuse of any of my Fiddlebacks, but it takes it like a champ.
 
I only have the 12". It has a thicker blade (3mm vs 2.2mm) than the longer machetes which makes it a good chopper in addition to its usual machete chores.
 
I also have the 12". while I like the look of the 16" I've found the 12" to be an unbelievably great tool at a number of tasks. One other feature that sealed the deal on this one for me is that I have a few day packs I rotate and the 12" can fit in all of them without having to be strapped to the outside. Just something to consider depending on how you carry one. You won't regret the purchase. the Fiddleback machete is bad A$$!
 
TimberlineSpyder said:
Thanks for the feedback all, 12" machete inbound!
Click to expand...
I was going to be the dissenting vote.
For machetes, I prefer an 18" blade; so I would go with the 16". Besides, I've got several knives in the 10-13" range - a thick 12" machete would fall into a weird place among them...sort of like the answer to a question I wasn't going to ask.
 
I see your point. Looking at the photo's, it looks like the handle is about 8" long, so that would put the overall length at 20" for the 12" & 24" for the 16. The biggest knife I own other than kitchen knifes is my Bushfinger, so the 12" seems plenty big, but I may have to think about it a bit more
 
If I remember correctly, The 12" Machete was designed to fall into the Short Machete/Long knife catagory. It's a dang nice big knife or machete. I use my 12" Fiddleback and 12" Ontario machete's more in Central Utah, then I do my 18" and bigger ones. It's easier to carry while hiking/Backpacking, has good reach for clearing brush off the trails and trimming bushes at home. the bigger ones are better at trail clearing, but they aren't as packable.
 
Forgot to add the Pro's of the 12": It's easier to carry do to it's length and weight VS a larger Machete. Works better in tight spaces. Doubles as a large knife. More People friendly. It's Sexy.

Back in 2014 a friend and I went backpacking up Canal Canyon here in Central Utah. We used the 12" Fiddleback to clear trails, as a draw knife to turn a log into a table and sitting long and to carve sticks. An 18" Machete would have worked for these tasks, but do to my skill level, the 12" was easy. In other words, if you're not used to doing detail work with a Huge blade, the 12" Machete will be easier to learn with.
 
My rule is it it is green and smaller than my thumb- I grab my 14-18" machetes. If it is brown and thicker than my pinky, I grab the 12". For time spent in the woods in NA, I use my 12" 90% of the time. In warmer/greener climates, I have a longer machete on hand.
Bill
 
Great Topic..Got my 12" last week...It's the perfect pack-able size, and the thicker blade is, in my neighborhood important!
 
The 12 is great overall, but I do not have experience with any of the other sizes. Most likely can't go wrong with any of them.
 
If you are going to hack through weeds and trim shrubs with it, the 16 excells. If you want an all around camp beater, the 12"er is unparalleled. Really, you need both. Nothing makes me happier than when a neighbor gives me looks because I'm trimming my hedges with a machete....
 
That's a great mental image:D Cool, got the 12 on the way. Will do some yard trimming, general playing around, camping, see if it needs a big brother one of these days
 
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