Best budget machete

[FortyTwoBlades]

Why as a status symbol ?
A machete is a cheap sharp tool you ride hard and put up wet with a quick spray of Wd40, not some fancy expensive custom knife.
Buying an expensive custom machete is like buying a custom putty knife or expensive custom dog poop scooper.

I would say it depends on context. There's a place for machetes that are expensive for tool class' usual range depending on how heavily it's being used, and how optimized the design is for the tasks. Sort of like how most folks don't get much benefit from a pair of Swarovski binoculars, but a professional guide or naturalist might.

 

[Square_peg]

.....or expensive custom dog poop scooper.

I didn't find a gold plated poop scooper but Neiman Marcus will happily sell you this hand crafted leather poo bag holder.

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/graphic-image-personalized-dog-bag-case-leash-prod178490381

 

[HeavyHanded]

Sort of like how most folks don't get much benefit from a pair of Swarovski binoculars, but a professional guide or naturalist might.

You can tell the difference immediately when you compare quality binocs to cheap ones (I sprung for some Vector diamondbacks and they are sooo much better than brands just a little less expensive), a $20 Tram is pretty much top of the line.
Admittedly as a task becomes more specific, the best tool will become increasingly specific as well and that can drive up price.

When it comes to machetes it pays to have a couple of patterns on hand more than it does having the most expensive brand of any particular pattern.

 

[Mecha]

Why as a status symbol ?
A machete is a cheap sharp tool you ride hard and put up wet with a quick spray of Wd40, not some fancy expensive custom knife.
Buying an expensive custom machete is like buying a custom putty knife or expensive custom dog poop scooper.

You are absolutely dead wrong.

For one, a machete isn't defined as a cheap and unrefined tool, that's just people are used to and what is normally around. A machete-type tool, as a large blade with many uses and that one may spend countless hours using, can benefit immensely from better materials and design. The user of the blade can gain huge benefits in efficiency, quality of work, safety, and even joy in using a fine machete with a good handle. If there was ever a bladed tool that has massive potential (and I daresay need) to be improved, it's the common machete.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I didn't find a gold plated poop scooper but Neiman Marcus will happily sell you this hand crafted leather poo bag holder.

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/graphic-image-personalized-dog-bag-case-leash-prod178490381

You are absolutely dead wrong.

For one, a machete isn't defined as a cheap and unrefined tool, that's just people are used to and what is normally around. A machete-type tool, as a large blade with many uses and that one may spend countless hours using, can benefit immensely from better materials and design. The user of the blade can gain huge benefits in efficiency, quality of work, safety, and even joy in using a fine machete with a good handle. If there was ever a bladed tool that has massive potential (and I daresay need) to be improved, it's the common machete.

All I know is that in South America the machete is an essential tool used daily, if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me.
Sure a better handle is often something many could use, but a Titanium blade ?
Good ol' 1075 is just fine for me.
My machetes often chop in or around the ground that's full of rocks, I've had no chipping just dings that I could easily tap back with a small ball peen on a little anvil then sharpen out the rest of the way.

If you want a fancy expensive machete that's perfectly fine, but the " best budget machete " is not expensive or made of titanium.
I think a run of the mill tool hang in the tool shed machete is the way to go here.

 

[Mecha]

All I know is that in South America the machete is an essential tool used daily, if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me.
Sure a better handle is often something many could use, but a Titanium blade ?
Good ol' 1075 is just fine for me.
My machetes often chop in or around the ground that's full of rocks, I've had no chipping just dings that I could easily tap back with a small ball peen on a little anvil then sharpen out the rest of the way.

If you want a fancy expensive machete that's perfectly fine, but the " best budget machete " is not expensive or made of titanium.
I think a run of the mill tool hang in the tool shed machete is the way to go here.

OP got a "run of the mill" tool and seemed quite disappointed by it, not to mention its design and handle was unwieldy enough for him to break a window in the deal. You're literally saying that the thing he already did that did not serve him well, is the thing to do here.

"South Americans use them every day, and it serves them just fine!" That's the same trite stuff repeated ad nauseam when it comes to machetes. In fact, I say those people would be thrilled with a better machete, if it was available to them.

 

[Cougar Allen]

If you want a fancy expensive machete that's perfectly fine.

Smartest thing you've said today.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

OP have you considered a nice long titanium alloy machete?

How much does it cost?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

You can tell the difference immediately when you compare quality binocs to cheap ones (I sprung for some Vector diamondbacks and they are sooo much better than brands just a little less expensive), a $20 Tram is pretty much top of the line.
Admittedly as a task becomes more specific, the best tool will become increasingly specific as well and that can drive up price.

When it comes to machetes it pays to have a couple of patterns on hand more than it does having the most expensive brand of any particular pattern.

Tramontinas work very well, when tuned up, but if you think they're "pretty much top of the line" and think that you wouldn't be able to immediately tell the difference between a Tramontina and one that was top of the line, then I don't think you've really experienced the full range of possible tools on offer. However, there are definitely a lot of premium-priced designs that weren't as well designed at a fundamental level as more economical offerings made for daily users, and that can paint a poor picture of the reality. The fact of the matter is, Tramontinas represent a very solid "bread and butter" benchmark base offering, but there are a multitude of ways that they could be made in a more premium manner that would materially improve their performance. And that would all cost more to do. So for some folks that's worth it. For many, it's not. Context is everything. There's definitely a reason for more premium options to exist.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Who even makes a titanium machete?

 

[jp9mm]

I like my cold steel bolo.. think its 16". I'd like to put a proper edge on it, only used a bench grinder / file.
Hacks through small branches and limbs no problem

 

[not2sharp]

…... There's definitely a reason for more premium options to exist.

And there are reason why more premium options should not exist. Machetes take a lot of damage from impacts with rocks, concrete, and metals that tend to hide unseen under brush. It can be an advantage to use less premium steals that are easier to repair in the field and tools that can be easily replaced. Also, machetes tend to be used for longer periods of work; the tool needs to be light, so you can effectively work with it for a stretch; and, to make it easier to accelerate the blade to a good working speed. There are plenty of production and premium camp knives out there in all shapes and sizes, but most of those are poor replacements for the typical Latin-style machete; at least when it comes to clearing green brush.

n2s

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

And there are reason why more premium options should not exist. Machetes take a lot of damage from impacts with rocks, concrete, and metals that tend to hide unseen under brush. It can be an advantage to use less premium steals that are easier to repair in the field and tools that can be easily replaced. Also, machetes tend to be used for longer periods of work; the tool needs to be light, so you can effectively work with it for a stretch; and, to make it easier to accelerate the blade to a good working speed. There are plenty of production and premium camp knives out there in all shapes and sizes, but most of those are poor replacements for the typical Latin-style machete; at least when it comes to clearing green brush.

n2s

The way many people use them, that does happen, but I can tell you that despite frequent and extensive machete use in a variety of circumstances and working environments, I almost never strike anything that wasn't the intended target. And premium doesn't necessarily mean "more expensive steel" or "heavier". Trust me--I do know what design features provide what benefits in machetes and how they need to be best balanced to optimize the tool for its intended use. I'm not talking about premium camp knives; I'm talking about true machetes here. Durable handle materials with more extensive contouring, for instance, and features like distal taper and full flat grinds are all features that can contribute to a more premium design, and often its the lower volume of production of more complex designs that causes them to have a higher price, especially if a good sheath is involved, as well. The steel doesn't need to be fancy in most cases--it's more about how that material is shaped that drives up the cost with increased manufacturing steps, processes, and use of consumables and wear on equipment.

Again, if you don't see a benefit, there's no reason to get a more premium option. All I'm saying is just be aware that there are those to whom the benefits are commensurate with the cost, and so those premium options represent good matches for their applications. And that's okay. It's not like anyone is going to come take away your economical machetes because more complex ones exist. It's just more options on the market for the potential buyer to make their selection from. I specifically stated that most people don't get a tangible benefit from higher-tier tools, but there are those to whom it does make a worthwhile difference, and that's what they exist for.

 

[Mecha]

Tramontinas work very well, when tuned up, but if you think they're "pretty much top of the line" and think that you wouldn't be able to immediately tell the difference between a Tramontina and one that was top of the line, then I don't think you've really experienced the full range of possible tools on offer. However, there are definitely a lot of premium-priced designs that weren't as well designed at a fundamental level as more economical offerings made for daily users, and that can paint a poor picture of the reality. The fact of the matter is, Tramontinas represent a very solid "bread and butter" benchmark base offering, but there are a multitude of ways that they could be made in a more premium manner that would materially improve their performance. And that would all cost more to do. So for some folks that's worth it. For many, it's not. Context is everything. There's definitely a reason for more premium options to exist.

Preach!

The way many people use them, that does happen, but I can tell you that despite frequent and extensive machete use in a variety of circumstances and working environments, I almost never strike anything that wasn't the intended target. And premium doesn't necessarily mean "more expensive steel" or "heavier". Trust me--I do know what design features provide what benefits in machetes and how they need to be best balanced to optimize the tool for its intended use. I'm not talking about premium camp knives; I'm talking about true machetes here. Durable handle materials with more extensive contouring, for instance, and features like distal taper and full flat grinds are all features that can contribute to a more premium design, and often its the lower volume of production of more complex designs that causes them to have a higher price, especially if a good sheath is involved, as well. The steel doesn't need to be fancy in most cases--it's more about how that material is shaped that drives up the cost with increased manufacturing steps, processes, and use of consumables and wear on equipment.

Again, if you don't see a benefit, there's no reason to get a more premium option. All I'm saying is just be aware that there are those to whom the benefits are commensurate with the cost, and so those premium options represent good matches for their applications. And that's okay. It's not like anyone is going to come take away your economical machetes because more complex ones exist. It's just more options on the market for the potential buyer to make their selection from. I specifically stated that most people don't get a tangible benefit from higher-tier tools, but there are those to whom it does make a worthwhile difference, and that's what they exist for.

Damn right, 42.

 

[Mecha]

How much does it cost?

Depends, but it doesn't have to be that much.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Tramontinas work very well, when tuned up, but if you think they're "pretty much top of the line" and think that you wouldn't be able to immediately tell the difference between a Tramontina and one that was top of the line, then I don't think you've really experienced the full range of possible tools on offer. However, there are definitely a lot of premium-priced designs that weren't as well designed at a fundamental level as more economical offerings made for daily users, and that can paint a poor picture of the reality. The fact of the matter is, Tramontinas represent a very solid "bread and butter" benchmark base offering, but there are a multitude of ways that they could be made in a more premium manner that would materially improve their performance. And that would all cost more to do. So for some folks that's worth it. For many, it's not. Context is everything. There's definitely a reason for more premium options to exist.

This is going to be in context. If you need a machete for a specific environment then its well worth finding the right tool.

However, the better a tool gets for a specific task, the less well it will do a wider variety.

This is where a Tram, CS, Imacasa, Condor in a latin or bolo pattern are going to be a very strong contender at any price.

I would definitely agree that better out of box handles, sheathes and a distal taper are wonderful, most of the bargain offerings can be modified to perform just as well minus the distal taper.

This is similar to a hardware store hatchet that's been shaped and honed to perform nearly as well as a boutique hatchet- the HT might not be as good, but that just means sharpening a little more often and it'll tolerate extreme abuse better.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Context is always the name of the game, but it goes a little further than just tasks. Sometimes the adaptation is less task-specific and more environment-specific. A generalist model optimized for one environment will be different than a generalist model optimized for a different one. Similarly, a tool optimized for mostly task A, a moderate amount of task B, and rarely C (but it still needs to be able to do it, for those rare cases) will look different than a tool optimized for mostly task B, a moderate amount of C, and rarely A. Both are optimized for performing tasks A, B, and C, but with different prioritization of those tasks. Even within Latin patterns there are a ton of variations, with some being heavier, some being lighter, some being longer/shorter, and having different degrees of sweep of both spine and edge. A Collins No.127 and an Ontario machete of equal length are both variations of Latin patterns, but will feel and perform very differently.

Long story short, even among generalist patterns, options are good, and choice matters.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Context is always the name of the game, but it goes a little further than just tasks. Sometimes the adaptation is less task-specific and more environment-specific. A generalist model optimized for one environment will be different than a generalist model optimized for a different one. Similarly, a tool optimized for mostly task A, a moderate amount of task B, and rarely C (but it still needs to be able to do it, for those rare cases) will look different than a tool optimized for mostly task B, a moderate amount of C, and rarely A. Both are optimized for performing tasks A, B, and C, but with different prioritization of those tasks. Even within Latin patterns there are a ton of variations, with some being heavier, some being lighter, some being longer/shorter, and having different degrees of sweep of both spine and edge. A Collins No.127 and an Ontario machete of equal length are both variations of Latin patterns, but will feel and perform very differently.

Long story short, even among generalist patterns, options are good, and choice matters.

That's a good way to express it.

 

[cj65]

Why as a status symbol ?
A machete is a cheap sharp tool you ride hard and put up wet with a quick spray of Wd40, not some fancy expensive custom knife.
Buying an expensive custom machete is like buying a custom putty knife or expensive custom dog poop scooper.

I have 4 or 5 machetes I picked up at garage sales/estate sales, and yes, I do have a custom titanium pooper scooper on order.

 

[cj65]

I like my Collins machete the most. Unfortunately, it is spray painted gold. It needs some scraping and elbow grease. Problem is, I live in suburbia and don’t have much need for a machete, but I love them. They are hard to resist purchasing at garage sales. After Christmas, I am allowed to throw the tree at the curb whole, but I always whack the limbs off and cut the trunk in half and put it in the green waste bin. This occurs out front and the neighbors always look at me funny for awhile.