Best Machete???

B

Beowulf

Joined
Jan 31, 2001
Messages
64
I was reading in National Geographic of a foot expedition that covered 1200 miles of jungle terrain. And, a lot of mile were logged by having to cut there way though with a machete. Who do you feel makes the best Standard 12" to 18" machete for this job?
 
Barteaux-15", thin, carbon spring steel w/ orange knuckle guard handle. I've had it for ten years and cut everything you can imagine (lived in Fla. for a time) up to 6" branches.The length gives enough "whip" without tiring you out (used to trim hedges). The blade doesn't bounce back when you hit a knot or a rock (never chiped or bent)and use a med file to get a excellent edge (rough edge gives a better "bite") Hard to lose handle with no "hot" spots when using. Has a saw on back for green, fiberous material which can hard to cut. I even took down a Ironwood bush in my backyard (hard and dried out) which is one tough moutha' and almost wore me out! Cost me $15 back then. I have saws, hachets, axes and other machetes but more times thatn not the Barteaux does it all. Made in USA. Hard to beat! Weldonk
 
If the "jungle" is soft and/or light and springy vegetation, you want a very thin and light machete. Try something in 1/16" stock, Ross Aki makes one that has recieved positive comments.

For heavier wooded areas you want a thicker blade to allow a more powerful stroke, Barteaux makes a model with a number of strong features, there is however the downside of a very poor NIB edge.

Barteaux also makes lighter models, I have not used them though.

There are a number of custom makers who will make machetes. If you can be very specific about what you want, and you pick the right maker you should end up with an optimal blade.

-Cliff
 
Beowulf, have you noticed how hard it is to find a decent selection of machetes in Colorado home centers?

As Cliff was saying, thin is good for light brush. In addition to thin, long is good. You need some blade speed to cut through brush that is light and compliant. I would go for 17-22" for American jungles. Where you get heavier and harder wood go for shorter and heavier bolo machetes.
 
I had an order in with Ross Aki, but his wife EMailed a number of months ago an informed me that Ross was getting some long needed surgery finally, and that he may not get back into the knife making business afterwards.

That is too bad.

I hope I'm surprised someday when they EMail that my machete is ready, but I'm not holding my breath.

You know as much as I do... her message was vague.
 
Ross was more than just a good craftsman. He had a good design going too, and I don't see why some aspiring knife maker out there might not contact him and offer to license his designs and technology and start making Aki blades again.

I don't think a lot of attention gets paid to machetes because the vast percentage of bucks spent on cutlery world wide occur in N. America and W. Europe. Neither of these places is big on machetes.

I remain convinced that an optimized indigenous design, fabricated in the hi-tech steels of this day, all allowing for the balance of sharpness, edge holding, and toughness needed in a machete, would produce a blade that would far out perform any machete made of indigenous materials.
 
If you look at Ross's site there is no longer a note about him not making blades any longer. There is talk of several new models to appear in 2001. I hope he is back in production as I want to order a machete from him. Another place to look is at
http://www.miamimachete.com/

Bob
 
Barteauxs are pretty good. For the dollar they are pretty hard to beat.

http://www.northwest.com/people/~neil1525

You might also look at Martindales.

http://www.ralphmartindale.co.uk/ralphmartindale/europe1.html

Do a search, you should be able to find a couple of good threads.

------------------
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Marion David Poff aka Eye mdpoff@hotmail.com

My website, guided links, talonite/cobalt alloy info, etc....
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>>--->Bill Siegle Custom Knives<---<<
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"To wait for luck is the same as waiting for death." -Japanese Proverb

"Place you clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark." -Lazarus Long

"We cut things to create things" - James K Mattis
 
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