Anyone carry a machete?

[Mack]

I'm not sure I consider this a machete but it sure chops what I need chopped.
1/4 inch x 10 inch 1095 and at 2lbs it is a workhorse.

 

[untamed]

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

We have a similar design here. I actually used one in my youth as a volunteer for a religious order. Used for cutting sugar cane as well as over-sized weeds. A sharp one can actually cut a limb about two-thumbs thick (with the proper swing of course).

 

[Any Cal.]

I am a big machete fan. I carry an 18" that I cut down to about 15" or so. Because they are thin, they tend to be light, and because they are long, they have enough speed they can cut far more effectively than you would expect from their weight. They also give a lot of reach, and due to the lower carbon steel, tend to be pretty bulletproof. Carry a DMT Diafold in Coarse/Fine to keep your machete and knives sharp.

The machete can be batonned, used like a knife(sort of), and be used like a small axe. All at a weight of under a lb. Not too bad a deal, especially when you pick them up for 6-10 bucks.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Indeed, the Ontario may be quite capable of chopping, but I consider it more of a breaching tool than anything else. One of the first things I'd grab if I ever needed to hack my way out of a burning building though!

 

[ghostguy6]

I keep one in the truck. It get used a fair bit. Nothing like cutting a watermelon or flipping burgers at a picnic in front of all your co workers. No one will ever complain about the cooking

 

[jackknife]

It's interesting that in the early 1960's, NASA was studying what to put into the Mercury capsuls for survivla gear. After lots of trial by Air Force survival people in anything from tropical jungle to northern hardwood forrest and desert scrub, they settled on a short machete and a scout knife. It seemed the most versitile pair of tools they cold come up with.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I rather agree! A short machete in the "big knife" range and a small, stout multi-tool make a next to unstoppable combo just about anywhere you go! The fun thing was that the machete was made by Case, just like the machetes mentioned earlier. And the scout knife was a Victorinox, thus proving their superiority over Wenger once and for all! (yes, I know, Wenger is owned by Victorinox, but I can't stand their stuff for some reason. )

 

[peterinct]

Back when 4-wheelin in the forests was a daily event, I carried a machete I bought in a local surplus store along with a Buck 119. The machete was the best for clearing brush, cutting down trees and chopping firewood. Very useful to have in the woods.

Peter

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Here's a decent example of a piece intended for the light stuff. More agricultural in design than woodsy, but a good example nonetheless.

 

[kyturkey]

What's the opinion of the Gerber/Fiskers Brush Thinner Machete? It looks similar to the above photos blade shape.

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerc...ext=&list=50&range=1&order=Default&SKU=G41061

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It's decent, but since (unlike their axes that have the blade perpendicular to the hollow handle) it has little to no tang and no point on the end of the hook (which I occasionally find use for), as well as a bulky and awkward sheath, I think there are better tools on the market for now. I'm presently using a Condor Bush Knife as one of my go-to pieces. It's a real favorite of mine.

 

[Md 25v]

+1 on the condor bush knife! I have the gerber and the condor and it's not even close. I'd take the condor every time.

 

[kalama]

condor 16" pig sticker or the 18" jungle saber are my choice

 

[tltt]

Here's a decent example of a piece intended for the light stuff. More agricultural in design than woodsy, but a good example nonetheless.

Just a a historical note, the Collins Co. noted that the hawkbill style machete was most popular with coffee producig coutries in South America........ I forget the rest, but there really is a lot of history in the various machete patterns.

Also, Jack Archer(of Loveless Chute knife fame) was once asked what combination he would chose for survival. His answer? A 12" cutlass type machete and a Victorinox Pioneer.

Just thought that was a cute aside.

 

[mneedham]

I use a machete a lot this time of year for clearing brush (wild roses mostly). I like the Tram bolo a lot. As a general use blade and short machete, the 12" Tram is great IMHO...

 

[H-Minus]

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but I live in the Southeastern U.S. now. Trust me dude It's a very handy tool to have. I grew up using one, and seeing everybody else use one. They can be used for everything. Machetes are not only restricted to the tropics. You can even use one as a snow knife for Igloo construction. I think it's kinda cool to see people in the States interested in the machete because when I first came Stateside with the U.S. Army and went to J.O.T.C.(jungle operations training center) in Ft. Sherman, Panama where the U.S. troops were taught the use of the machete, I was the only person in my company that knew how to use one. My grandfather used to own a sugarcane plantation, and all the harvesting was done by a line of men the lenght of the field. The canefield was set ablaze, then the men walked lined up side by side slashing the sugarcane down. Trust me It's a great tool to have. Enjoy yours. Alberto

 

[Wildone39]

You know Joezilla, you could and would have my vote to be the next Survivorman. Just a thought.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

And we could learn about snakes and bugs, too! Not just survival stuff!

 

[Michaelbikel]

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.

BEAUTIFUL, where did you get those guys? I am looking but can't find any without the bent over price.

 

[jackknife]

I love small machete's and prefer them over a regular fixed blade knife. If I have a good pocket knife and a small machete, I'm happy and feel equipped to handle most of what comes my way. Besides a brush tool and kindling chopper, I've used a small machete for camp cooking, bread knife, and ham slicer. I bought a new 12 inch Ontario, but I haven't used it because I keep grabbing the old cut down English machete my dad made and called his "buch wackier" .

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The 14 inch Martindale does heavy work just fine.

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But this combo is what I always carry when I walk away from the car at a trailhead. The SAK takes care of 90% of what I do, and the small English chopper takes care of the rest.

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