Anyone use a 12 inch Tram?

R

R.H.Clark

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
771
I bought an 18 inch Tram.and was impressed with the quality for the price.I'm thinking about ordering a 12 inch model to carry while hunting-camping.I think the 18 in. is too long and heavy to lug around all day.I'm thinking a 12 in. would make a great camp knife.

Do any of you own a 12 in.model? If so what do you think about it? Is it the same steel and thickness as the 18 in.model?
 
I've got the 14" bolo. Great little machete. I've never had to pack it very far, though. I don't know if the extra 2" (vs the 12") would make much of a difference when carrying it in the field. But the broader tip gives it more punch than it feels like it should have. It was $6 well spent.

Frank
 
I usually carry the 18" on my pack myself but I too am looking for something a little shorter. I'm pretty sure it's going to be the 14" bolo for me as well. I might just reshape the 18 though because I like the (reworked) handle so much.

Frank, I assume the bolo's edge needed to be cleaned up a bit as well ?
 
What's the skinny on the tram versus the ontario? That 12" looks like a cool pack size, and they're not too spendy either. Anyone know thicknesses?
 
The higher end Ontarios are made from thicker stock, 1/8". Tramontinas seem to be made from .075" - .085" stock, similar to the economy Ontarios.

I suspect Ontarios tend to be run harder. While I think this is better for fine edge retention, for something abused like a machete, it may be a liability.

Anecdotally, I can say the Tramontina is unbelievably tough. They're tempered more like springs than knives. Thinner blades tend to be easier top swing around. The 12" model makes a fantastic do it all knife, IMO. The Bolo is better for heavier chopping. My favorite so far is a Bolo modded down to a 10" blade.
 
Bear thats what im calling a working tool. It seems like it would do anything you need it for... How do you compare the Machete to a large knife for battonin??

Sasha
 
I did have to rework the edge some, but it was better than a Martindale I had that cost five times as much. The edge on that one was terrible and to top it off the F&F of the handle was worse on the Martindale as well. If I ever manage to actually kill the little Tram I'll get another to replace it. Amazing value.

Frank
 
I ordered both the 12 and 14 inch from eknifeworks. $5.99 each and no tax with free shipping. All I need now is a good sheath.

Do you folks treat the wood handles with anything?
 
The Trams are possibly the best in my opinion since I saw how they were depended on to make a living in Peru when I was there. Check out my link from my Amazon Survival Trip to Peru and notice all the machetes used by the instructors and students were Tramontina. We did everything with them. Chop, dig mud, baton split wood, shave wood, turn meat over, cut. It is a do all tool.


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=511293
 
I've used a 12'' tramontina a good bit, great tool for $6 small and light but tough. It's kinda like a big thin bladed knife, I keep the lower part of the blade sharp for fuzz sticks and don't worrie about nics etc in the rest just file sharp and it works great.
 
Guess I'm gonna have to order a 12"! I do think I might enjoy the thicker blade of the Ontario, however.... Decisions, decisions...
 
haha, good point. Is eknifeworks were it was ~$6 a reliable site? Never ordered from that one, but I like free shipping.
 
How well does the sawback work on those things? Just another thing to tear up a baton? I'm not a fan normally on fixed blades, but a 12" machete doesn't really fall into that same class.
 
eknifeworks is very reliable. I'm sure you can get lots of positive testimonials here. The free shipping is a great deal.

Do you folks treat the wood handles with anything?
Click to expand...

I usually wipe the wooden handles with linseed oil a couple times. If they live outside all the time, it'll probably need it a couple times a year. Until they break.
 
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