Anyone carry a machete?

[Joezilla]

real expert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4LKoOqFy8E&feature=related

 

[Loosearrow]

I have a couple of Case XX machetes from WWII. Good size and weight. I bought one that had been modified by a beginner (bottom one). I need to send it to Siguy for modification and sharpening.

I have a case just like the top one. No blade guard. Pilot survival machete, some had a folded handle. I have heard them called V44 but some would disagree and call the V44 a bowie like the Western 49. Bought it from an old relative that used it to chop the heads off catfish. I find that it carries well in a homemade rivited sheath, works well for chopping, and batons just fine. May be worth something to a military collector. Nice pics. Regards

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Believe it or not, I don't see reverse hooked blades that much anywhere else but here, being used. The viking machetes for some reason are sharpened on the back here, but you never see that anywhere else, such as where that upswept tip style is popular (Jamaica, Puerto Rico)

I can understand that as a whole, as a lot of the vegetation in the more tropical regions, while light, is relatively lush. The amount of water in them makes the majority of commonly encountered targets best tackled with a chopper of the nature you described. North America and Europe have traditionally had forward-curving choppers for just about forever, since the lightweight and woody stems of brush, bramble, and scrub plants respond to an upswept tip by moving out of the way more often than not! In Europe (the UK in particular, but all the way out to Italy as well) have billhooks, slashers, and brush axes (particularly popular in the US up until the 50s or so, though you may still find them with relative frequency.) For land-clearing, bush blades were sometimes used on scythes, though that's a bit of a different scenario.

 

[Md 25v]

Here you go Joe, 18 inch Outback.
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&Brand=398&Mode=Brand&range=11&SKU=CTK2040S
As for why I like it, its the Best chopping machete I've ever owned. I took it to a 12 in maple tree that was growing through my deck and limbed the top of the tree out. It cut through some 3 in branches in one cut! The weight forward tip makes it like a bolo on steroids. I also got the 18 in jungle saber. That one is so light and fast in the hand that I used it for over an hour clearing greenbriar and never felt fatigued. Its not for chopping but it is perfect for going through brush.

 

[JOSH111]

I had a Tram when I was a (smaller) kid, man I miss that mofo...
Been riding the CS's for 10+ years like 2$ mules and love them. I would go with the CS bolo for around 12$. I hate the handles though, a hoof file and some time takes care of it way oversizedness.

I have become fond of the 12" as they fit in just about any hydration pocket (YMMV) and they tend to be light.

 

[Horn Dog]

Welcome... I use one all the time... one of my primary woods blades.. although for woods use I prefer a 12 inch model...A machete and a sak or multi-tool and you are good to go. IMO

That is the most useful and cost effective combo I have tried in the South Georgia swamps and river bottoms. Next best is a large camp knife that is not too heavy for machete work, like a Western Bowie or similar size knife.

 

[j williams]

I love 'chetes. Trams, Ontarios, CS, all of em.

I am really really stoked to get my hands on a new Condor though...

Those vintage Case ones are cool Horn Dog. Whats the blade length? Id like to find one of them. I got a place nearby that might have one. I will have to check it....

 

[pict]

For land-clearing, bush blades were sometimes used on scythes, though that's a bit of a different scenario.

In Brazil this is the universal tool for major land clearing jobs. Machetes are used on occasion to clear some swinging room but the long handled bush hook and sharpened hoe are the tools of clearing land down to the soil.

It isn't practical to carry these tools in the bush and nobody clears acres of bush for a campsite or while building a shelter. You do have to pick the right tool for the job. The bush hook (Foice, foy-see) and hoe are so common in rural Brazil that they have become the symbols of the "Landless Workers Movement" or MST.

Movimento Sem Terra

Mac

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Very cool! I actually didn't know that they had such a presence. While ones of that type aren't as useful for camp work, they're great around the property. With a few fun modifications they can be morphed into something a little more...general purpose.

 

[Joezilla]

Here you go Joe, 18 inch Outback.
http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?A=&Brand=398&Mode=Brand&range=11&SKU=CTK2040S
As for why I like it, its the Best chopping machete I've ever owned. I took it to a 12 in maple tree that was growing through my deck and limbed the top of the tree out. It cut through some 3 in branches in one cut! The weight forward tip makes it like a bolo on steroids. I also got the 18 in jungle saber. That one is so light and fast in the hand that I used it for over an hour clearing greenbriar and never felt fatigued. Its not for chopping but it is perfect for going through brush.

WOW! I need to go check that out! mauahahahhaahaha

 

[mdauben]

Carry a machete? Yes, I do.

 

[jeff_c]

How does a krukri style knife compare??

(for general field use) Anyone prefer that style to a standard Machete or bolo type?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Over the winter, this happened:

My machete took care of all of the limbs without batting an eye!

And I know I've posted it plenty of times before, but no machete-wielding thread is complete without a picture of my fiancee with her camo Hog Sticker!

 

[Carolina River Rat]

How does a krukri style knife compare??

(for general field use) Anyone prefer that style to a standard Machete or bolo type?

I love my khuks. My favorite knife pattern.

I know I've posted it plenty of times before, but no machete-wielding thread is complete without a picture of my fiancee with her camo Hog Sticker! :D

[IMG]http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr19/Fortytwoblades/machete.jpg

I never get tired of seeing that pic, 42B.

 

[IRON HEAD]

Yeah what he said!

 

[dawsonbob]

And ditto, also, too.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Off-topic, but I like this picture.

For light brush I like a longer thinner machete. You want the edge moving fast and the blade thin for this type of material; otherwise it tends to just get pushed out of the way. For this 18 inches is short and 22 inches is long.

 

[Carolina River Rat]

That is an awesome picture, Jeff.

 

[dawsonbob]

Off-topic, but I like this picture.

For light brush I like a longer thinner machete. You want the edge moving fast and the blade thin for this type of material; otherwise it tends to just get pushed out of the way. For this 18 inches is short and 22 inches is long.

I'm sure her technique is flawless: I want to study under her.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Cool picture! I agree regarding thin blades for light targets. In general I actually find that the thinner the blade (without becoming whippy) the easier the work goes. Mass should be behind the edge, not next to it.