Best all around machete?
- Thread starter SBaker34
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 517
I see a lot of people on various forums posting pictures of their safe queens, or 14" machetes stuck in a 4" log, and shake my head. What these guys need is a axe or atleast a hatchet. While I can chop a 8" tree down with my machete, I prefer to go around it if possible. I use a 22-24" blade in my line of work because anything shorter, and your hands would suffer drastically.
I go from this...
to this...
and have about 40 more acres of this to go on this particular job.
I go from this...
to this...
and have about 40 more acres of this to go on this particular job.
Last edited:
I see a lot of people on various forums posting pictures of their safe queens, or 14" machetes stuck in a 4" log, and shake my head. What these guys need is a axe or atleast a hatchet. While I can chop a 6" tree down with my machete, I prefer to go around it if possible. I use a 22-24" blade in my line of work because anything shorter, and your hands would suffer drastically.
I go from this...
to this...
and have about 40 more acres of this to go on this particular job.
What brand machetes are those?
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,522
Looks like Gavilan to me. Could be wrong. Oh the suspense! 
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 517
It's a well used Martindale. You can see the crocodile close to the handle if you look closely.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,667
I have a couple of them. The handle's great. Grippy and stays tight. Got sort of a reptile scale texture to them. Having said that, I prefer the wooden ones cause you can make wood purtier.
I see a lot of people on various forums posting pictures of their safe queens, or 14" machetes stuck in a 4" log, and shake my head. What these guys need is a axe or atleast a hatchet. While I can chop a 6" tree down with my machete, I prefer to go around it if possible. I use a 22-24" blade in my line of work because anything shorter, and your hands would suffer drastically.
I go from this...
to this...
and have about 40 more acres of this to go on this particular job.
Where are you in this pic? Looks like some of the mess I get around where I live. Anyone who says you can't possibly need a machete in North America hasn't been in my part of SC.
Mistwalker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 18,694
I want them to make a machete version of the Bushman. Or Condor should. They have the ability, and CS couldn't sue them for copyright or anything given that Collins made one forever ago. I was lucky enough to get the chance to handle one. Here's a few pics I was able to snap of it before I had to give it back to its owner.
Reuben found a maker who makes an entire line of machetes with rolled handles from spring steel while he was in the Philippines. So...not sure the rolled handle in and of itself is patentable anyway....
.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,667
Also, to the OP: Most of Condor's offerings have fairly thick blades. You might also consider the ESEE Lite Machete. It's at the upper limits of your price range, but probably worth it and then some.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2006
- Messages
- 1,895
Condor has a thin 18" blade machete now: the eco-survivor El Salvador model. 5/64" thickiness carbon steel. And only $20.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,667
I know. Wants one. Wants one of every Condor.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,522
Only some of the newer models have thick blades. Most of the older ones are of more typical machete thickness.
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2009
- Messages
- 517
I live and work in North Georgia. We can go from up and down wooded hills with hardwoods, to kudzu/briar patches on the same property. Throw in the privot (sp?), and you got yourself some machete work coming your way.
I agree that whoever says you don't need a machete in North America obviously hasn't been in the Southeast. Granted you don't need one out West, but here in the South I have encountered property that would mimick South American jungles.
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2010
- Messages
- 2,129
There are areas in Ky that are perfect for machete work too. I first met a machete when my grandpa bought one to take with us while cutting firewood many years ago. He was from England, immigrated to Zambia, then to the U.S. While in Africa, he came to appreciate the many virtues that a machete offers.
My brother and I used to cut firewood all weekend long with him. He'd drop a tree, hand us the machetes and we'd limb it while he was dropping another tree. He'd take a coffee break and watch us work, then when we'd move onto the other tree, he'd start cutting the wood to length. Some of the best times of my life.
I have no idea what the brands were. Usually the cheapest thing he could find at the hardware store or the flea market. Sharpened them on a big 12" grinder he had in the shed. He'd round off the handles so there were no sharp areas and them dip them in red Plasti-Dip.
Until you really use a machete, you just can't appreciate the ease of use and ability of a long, thin blade.
Definitely what started my lifelong fascination with knives, big and small.
My brother and I used to cut firewood all weekend long with him. He'd drop a tree, hand us the machetes and we'd limb it while he was dropping another tree. He'd take a coffee break and watch us work, then when we'd move onto the other tree, he'd start cutting the wood to length. Some of the best times of my life.
I have no idea what the brands were. Usually the cheapest thing he could find at the hardware store or the flea market. Sharpened them on a big 12" grinder he had in the shed. He'd round off the handles so there were no sharp areas and them dip them in red Plasti-Dip.
Until you really use a machete, you just can't appreciate the ease of use and ability of a long, thin blade.
Definitely what started my lifelong fascination with knives, big and small.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
I dunno if I could handle swinging an offcentered blade. Condor El Salvador, Bolo, Ontario and Tramontina are all really good options. Svord makes a killer Bush Machete out of 15N20 at around 100 dollars... Kinda depends on how hard the wood is that you will be processing...
I want something long but still tough enough to chop a tree if I have to a 24 inch cold steel latin machete is interesting but it is probably too thin for wood, does anyone have any more suggestions for 24+ inch or longer machetes that hard thick enough to chop into a tree if needbe?
- Joined
- May 18, 2005
- Messages
- 22,970
I have a Collins that is very durable, and huge. Costed something like $5 in Mexico.
I have one of the Bark River machetes made from an Ontario, and it is a great cutter, but outside of the price range.
I have one of the Bark River machetes made from an Ontario, and it is a great cutter, but outside of the price range.
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2007
- Messages
- 7,395
What is that one right on top, to the left, with the poly handle that looks like Pitdog might have designed? That thing is cool.
OP: I've got a Condor Parang and an Ontario Jungle Machete coming in the mail soon that I'd be happy to give you my opinion on, FWIW. There are obviously members on this forum who are much more qualified to give you advice on machete purchases but I'd be happy to take pics or compare the two for ya.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,667
It does look like something Pitdog would have on his side. I'm not sure he carries anything less than 2" wide.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,522
The one that looks like a chef's knife? I WANT ONE. SO BAD. I also want to see one with a 14" blade.
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2008
- Messages
- 4,667
I think Joe should just send me the contents of that box.