12inch machete

Bill Siegle

Bill Siegle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Messages
6,833
At the dawn of time in my knife journey, Brigade Quartermaster advertised a 12in machete with a nylon sheath as the perfect go anywhere cutting tool. Over the years I’ve tested that concept enough to agree. Definitely not perfect for every cutting task but seriously it handles enough that I’d be hard pressed to complain about finding this set up in just about any environment. When I was 12 there was no way to get such a thing by my parents but I grew up and bought my own and have cut more than a few large machetes down. A while back I ordered another 12inch Imacasa machete with the intention to dress it up a little and sheath it appropriately. Here’s the result! Cleaned up the flashing on the handle, sharpened the edge, sheathed it, and gave it a 90% scraper edge just in front of the handle. Perfect for the vehicle or bug out bag👍 I’ve only got to decide on a sharpener to add to the sheath so it’s self supportive. Might put a pouch on it too but I’m not positive on that yet.




IMG_4438.jpeg
 
My 12" machete is my most used. Clearly there are better tools for various uses but as an all around utility blade for our small property and woods, it's hard to beat. Easily portable and comfortable to work with.
 
I like a 16 inch for the hardwood brush in the PNW. But I did use a 12 inch in 3V just today on some heavy and thick salmonberry.

Yours has a nice catch at the butt, which is really important. After a while, the smooth handle on my 12 incher gets hard to hang on to.
 
I’ve been using a 12” Cold Steel Barong machete for many years as one of my main yard tools. It’s in pretty rough shape but a file and some elbow grease would make it pretty again. The best point of impact is in the middle of the blade so that might hinder its use compared to your example.
 
Bill Siegle said:
At the dawn of time in my knife journey, Brigade Quartermaster advertised a 12in machete with a nylon sheath as the perfect go anywhere cutting tool. Over the years I’ve tested that concept enough to agree. Definitely not perfect for every cutting task but seriously it handles enough that I’d be hard pressed to complain about finding this set up in just about any environment. When I was 12 there was no way to get such a thing by my parents but I grew up and bought my own and have cut more than a few large machetes down. A while back I ordered another 12inch Imacasa machete with the intention to dress it up a little and sheath it appropriately. Here’s the result! Cleaned up the flashing on the handle, sharpened the edge, sheathed it, and gave it a 90% scraper edge just in front of the handle. Perfect for the vehicle or bug out bag👍 I’ve only got to decide on a sharpener to add to the sheath so it’s self supportive. Might put a pouch on it too but I’m not positive on that yet.




View attachment 2439978
Click to expand...
Having tested it out, have you tried the 12" Ontario Knife Co., Latin pattern machete which is significantly thicker/heavier compared to the South American ones? If so, what's your take on the tradeoffs and benefits as an all around use knife? I have my own opinions, but will reserve them for now, for the sake of the conversation.
 
The Ontario 12in machetes I have used were the one similar to the military issue machete. The blade was more suited towards a boreal type environment IMHO. I believe they are excellent quality machetes but require a LOT of tuning for my tastes. On the ones I have owned, thinning the edges and even handle replacement was required. Of course after the work is done, your left with an excellent tool. I wish I’d kept one of my rehandled Ontarios. I‘ve kept my eyes peeled to acquire another for modding. Now don’t get me wrong, they work pretty good as issued but there is SO much more potential there. I never could understand the hand shape though on the Ontario machetes. The squared off bottom grip is simply not designed for the human hand. In comparison to the Imacasa, the Imacasa wins as it only requires a little file time to bring the edge up to speed as do most South American machetes. The basic form is already set up for success.
 
I agree. The Condor Bushcaft Parang is 13" and it's my favorite mid size machete. It's definitely a Goldilocks size.
 
I bought one of these in 12" back when Cold Steel was clearancing them out. It's been one of the handiest machetes I own. I just recently gave it to my daughter.
We were once cutting new shooting lanes for a traditional archery shoot and I brought the 12" and a longer 24". Great combination. I used the longer machete for the wild roses or anything with thorns and the shorter one for most of the brush and branches. It's also been very handy around the house for small cutting chores. These short machetes are well worth buying.
 
Grizzly3 said:
I bought one of these in 12" back when Cold Steel was clearancing them out. It's been one of the handiest machetes I own. I just recently gave it to my daughter.
We were once cutting new shooting lanes for a traditional archery shoot and I brought the 12" and a longer 24". Great combination. I used the longer machete for the wild roses or anything with thorns and the shorter one for most of the brush and branches. It's also been very handy around the house for small cutting chores. These short machetes are well worth buying.
Click to expand...


Which one is the 24" machete? That's quite long.
 
Bill Siegle said:
The Ontario 12in machetes I have used were the one similar to the military issue machete. The blade was more suited towards a boreal type environment IMHO. I believe they are excellent quality machetes but require a LOT of tuning for my tastes. On the ones I have owned, thinning the edges and even handle replacement was required. Of course after the work is done, your left with an excellent tool. I wish I’d kept one of my rehandled Ontarios. I‘ve kept my eyes peeled to acquire another for modding. Now don’t get me wrong, they work pretty good as issued but there is SO much more potential there. I never could understand the hand shape though on the Ontario machetes. The squared off bottom grip is simply not designed for the human hand. In comparison to the Imacasa, the Imacasa wins as it only requires a little file time to bring the edge up to speed as do most South American machetes. The basic form is already set up for success.
Click to expand...
One of my favorite mods is turning an 18” Ontario into a 12-13” camp tool. Good for digging, chopping, and with the edge brought down near the handle it even works for finer tasks. It’s also less scary to non-knife folks. I’ve made and given away a few of these. Fun project!
jfQQxC9.jpg
 
kobold said:
Which one is the 24" machete? That's quite long.
Click to expand...
LG&M said:
I favor the thinner ontairo 12", lighter then the HD model and stiffer then some others. I mounted a chainsaw file on the sheath to tune it up if needed.
Click to expand...
I now remember that it is a 24" because I bought a Cold Steel Machete sheath that fits it perfectly. But you have to be careful with such a thin, bendy sheath when inserting the machete that you don't cut it when it wants to fold over, since it is so long. But that 24" is very handy when thorns are involved. Glad I bought it. It is really not unwieldy at all, and pretty efficient at what it does to grasses and vines..
 
I've had a 12" sawback Heavy Ontario machete for nearly twenty years. The sawback does not really saw, but is great for notching stakes or sticks. I use a large bastard file to sharpen or touch up the edge. I like the 12" blade because it is easy to carry, especially when canoeing. I chose the heavy machete to make up for the weight of the shorter blade. The only draw back to the sawback blade is it eats up the fabric sheath when drawing out machete. I made a sheath liner out of a flexible cutting mat.
 
Bill Siegle said:
Brigade Quartermaster
Click to expand...
Holy cow that takes me back. I was surprised to see they still exist! Thanks for that.
Bill Siegle said:
12in machete with a nylon sheath as the perfect go anywhere cutting tool
Click to expand...
Well, I wouldn't go *anywhere* with that - not to dinner, school, work, etc. But in the out of doors I 100% agree. A 12" machete is my "survival knife," my chore knife, even my kitchen knife out of doors sometimes. And yours looks like a keeper. Have fun with it!
 
Bill Siegle said:
At the dawn of time in my knife journey, Brigade Quartermaster advertised a 12in machete with a nylon sheath as the perfect go anywhere cutting tool. Over the years I’ve tested that concept enough to agree. Definitely not perfect for every cutting task but seriously it handles enough that I’d be hard pressed to complain about finding this set up in just about any environment. When I was 12 there was no way to get such a thing by my parents but I grew up and bought my own and have cut more than a few large machetes down. A while back I ordered another 12inch Imacasa machete with the intention to dress it up a little and sheath it appropriately. Here’s the result! Cleaned up the flashing on the handle, sharpened the edge, sheathed it, and gave it a 90% scraper edge just in front of the handle. Perfect for the vehicle or bug out bag👍 I’ve only got to decide on a sharpener to add to the sheath so it’s self supportive. Might put a pouch on it too but I’m not positive on that yet.


I remember that catalog and the 12 machete

View attachment 2439978
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top