Cold Steel Double Edge Machete

E

Elen

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Apr 10, 2007
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I'm looking to buy a decently durable machete for clearing bushes and some tree branches. Any larger, harder trees and branches I'd take down with a proper hatchet, so the machete wouldn't have to deal that much with thick hardwood, except occasionally with a couple of sticks of firewood. Unfortunately, the selection available here in terms of machetes isn't all that great. I was thinking that the Cold Steel double edge machete looked decent, but I have no prior experience with machetes, so I wouldn't really know, would I? But someone here has probably used one. Are they any good at chopping, or will they chip and fall apart too easily?

This is the one I was thinking about currently: http://www.coldsteel.com/doedma.html

There are also some other Cold Steel machetes available here, like the bolo and latin machete ones. I like the length of the latin machete, too.
 
As a kid aside from my GI Joes and assorted knives, I had a machete. I don't know if you are already familiar with the mechanics of using one, but if this is your first one I would advise against the double edge one.

A machete is a very common tool here on the island and I don't think I have ever seen a double edged one. Don't think it woud be a good idea either.

Added: Safety is my concern.
 
No, I haven't used a proper machete before, although I've used a lot of stuff that has some similarities to it, from heavy axes to European long swords. But a real, actual machete, never. I guess the double edge might be a bit risky... In that case, I think the latin machete or something like that might be smarter.
 
I own the cold steel kukri,the inexpensive one($15) and it's not great but the steel seems tough enough,not brittle and holds an edge reasonable well.My only complaint is the handle is uncomfortable until you get used to it.

I realy like tramontina and ontario machetes,with tramontina being the best bargain in my opinion.

I agree with orangeJoe no double edge machetes for me,what little (If any) advantage of two edges is out weighed if you take off one of your own limbs!
 
We use the tramontina for survey work. Blackberry brambles etc are cleared quickly and the blade is easily sharpened with a file. Only drawback is the sheath it comes with doesn't really secure the tramontina. No strap with a snap to hold it in the sheath.
You can get tramontinas in two lengths to my knowledge. The ontario design with a full hand guard looks good too.
 
I own almost all of the Cold Steel machete line and I have to say that I like the double's handle the best. I have not used this one much yet- but I plan on it in the near future. As well- if you are worried about the double edge then only sharpen one side until you are comfortable using it- all of my CS machetes came with a profiled but DULL edge that needed work to get proper. My 2cents for you
 
I have the CS double edged machete, and have found it to be quite durable. It seems to hold an ok edge and cut well.
 
I really like Cold Steel's products, but, rather than their double-edge model, I would choose the bolo model. My choice would be based on its balance, rather than any difference in safety, though. Try a bolo machete and I think you'll like it. But with nearly any machete you buy, be prepared to spend some time and work with a good, sharp file to begin to put a decent edge on it. Actually, for real world use, a file is all you will ever need to sharpen it with. You might want to leave a few inches of the blade nearest to the handle unsharpened so you can "choke up" on the blade (with your hand extended slightly forward of the handle) in order to use it for finer work if a smaller blade isn't readily available. :thumbup:
 
"I own almost all of the Cold Steel machete line..."

This is saying something, since I just got their "Special Projects" catalog and they added about 15 new models, holey moley. For machetes CS now has Bowie style, Scottish (?), Seax style; it goes on and on. You could conceivably have a machete for each and every type of brush in your area code.

I think your choice is really about aesthetics, if you like the look of the double-edge then go for it, it's pretty cheap so it's not like you're risking a lot.

I don't particularly care for the double-edge; personally I have their Kukri machete and like it, good deal for what it is. Tough chopper, looks cool, very durable and easy to care for/sharpen. Pretty much all you can ask for in a machete, they are made for abuse.
 
I've had a Cold Steel panga machete for maybe 5 or 6 years now. Sees occasional use for fire wood and clearing trails to various camp fire spots in the woods. All in all I have to give it a thumbs up. Its a little thin for batonning (gets stuck and doesnt split the wood), but holds up fine for all sorts of chopping. Nice 1055 steel takes a great edge and holds it much better than you'd expect.

In retrospect, though, I'd probably go with a different design. Maybe bolo or a kukri... I have an old, old machete in the classic psuedo-warncliff blade design that I like even more than my Cold Steel. Its the perfect size and heft. Was all rusty and crappy so I properly POR-15'ed the blade and it looks much nicer, has held up well too. Just need to replace the handle so it doesn't feel like I'm grabbing a hive full of P.O.'ed bees when I'm using it.
 
The CS 18” Latin is a good choice; the molded handle and 1055 steel make it very durable and the traditional Latin machete pattern is very effective. The one I got had a horrible edge on it with a couple of big chips, but after re-profiling and sharpening it works very well.


I have a plastic handled 18” Tramontina that is similar to the CS Latin that came with a better edge (needed sharpening but little if any re-profiling) and no black paint on the blade! The Tram’s plastic handle is held on with pins, so it might eventually loosen up with use. The Tram handle is also a little shorter than the CS Latin which may be a disadvantage if you have big hands and wear heavy work gloves.


The 18” Ontario is an excellent machete, I would recommend the molded D-guard handles over the older riveted handles which will eventually come loose, if you don’t like the guard, it can be sawed off. The Ontario is a little heavier than the CS Latin and standard Tramontina machetes, which makes it better for heavy brush and chopping and less well suited for lighter vegetation.




- Frank
 
I am somewhat of an addict when it comes to Tramontina's. I have their 12", 14" bolo and 18" with wooden handles. I also have the 22" with a plastic handle. I use them mainly on our ranch to clear cedar and mesquite trees and they work great. The worst part is that when you buy one and like it, you somehow end up with three or four more in short order. Not sure how that happens.
 
I have and use a Spec 8 from Ontario Knives and it's a beast as a machete! A full pound plus of steel coming down on something is going to make it move. It comes in 1095 and holds a decent edge, and is easy to sharpen IME.
 
I've heard good things on the net about Tramontina machetes, but unfortunately I can't find them around these parts. It's pretty much a choice between those Cold Steel ones or one Ontario 18" military machete that doesn't have a sheath. Considering what you guys have been saying, I think it'll be either a bolo or a latin machete from CS. And yeah, I was expecting a blade that cheap would come with a dull edge from the factory, and requires some tuning. No problem.
 
For actual work ie. clearing a field, making new trails in tropical rainforest, an 18" would be considered a toy. That's what I have at home :) my yard is only about 500 sq. meters.

The bigger, longer machetes are the ones you can swing all day, you just have to find the right swing and balance.

I would not be surprised if half of all machetes I see around turned out to be Tramontinas.
 
OrangeJoe said:
For actual work ie. clearing a field, making new trails in tropical rainforest, an 18" would be considered a toy. That's what I have at home :) my yard is only about 500 sq. meters.

The bigger, longer machetes are the once you can swing all day, you just have to find the right swing and balance.

I would not be surprised if half of all machetes I see around turned out to be Tramontinas.
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Yeah, I think something like 20+ inches would be better for major work, but then again, I'm lucky we don't have jungles here in Finland. The kind of hardwood trees we have in abundance aren't going to be cut down with any kind of machete. ;)
 
A double-edged machete is an expedient and practical sword substitute, but the second edge makes it much less safe for field work (the stuff a machete is designed to do in the first place).
 
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