Condor 14" El Salvador

matthewdanger

matthewdanger

Joined
Jan 29, 2003
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Have you guys seen these yet? http://jerkingthetrigger.wordpress....4-and-18-el-salvador-machete-in-carbon-steel/

I know the Condor El Salvador Machete is well loved around here. I have been using the 18" version for some time now and it is easily my favorite machete. However, they just came out with a 14" version and it is very, very nice. The only beef I have with it is that I hoped it would fit in the plastic GI sheaths but it doesn't. It looks like I am going to have to try my hand with PVC sheath making.
 
I just got one along with the Condor Golok and Eco-Light 18".A 14" is about my favorite machete length.Most of my experience has been with the 14" Tram and this Condor is quite a bit heavier.It should work well for light batoning and excell the Tram in that area.However just for light trail clearing,camp clean up and chopping anything up to wrist size I still prefer the lighter Tram,not the bolo version.

As far the best chopper,the Eco-light is becoming my favorite.It easily out performs the 14" machete and feels about as nimble in the hand.I may mod one with about a 3" longer handle so that I can choke up closer to the tip for more precise chopping closer to the body.I often use a machete to rough out selfbows and such a mod would make the Eco-light about perfect for this.
 
The 14" El Salvador is really kind of a pig. I would definitely prefer a lighter Tramontina for clearing trails as well.

The Eco-Light is really calling to me. I may have have to pick one up.
 
The Eco-Light is still not as light in hand and nimble as the regular 14" Tram.It will however excell in any larger chopping.Before ordering I was concerned the Eco might be fragile but it is not at all.I tested it by chopping through several 5"-7" diam.pieces of oak firewood I had just cut up. The Eco went through them much faster than I had expected with no edge rolling or chipping.

My major gripe about the 14" Tram is the wood handle.I've had to tighten it before and it's just not as comfortable as the Condor Poly.

The Eco offers greater cutting ability with just slightly more weight and lenght than the Tram.But the 14" Tram is still a very handy size and will serve in most situations just as well being easier to carry and easier to use in closer tighter areas.
 
Maybe Condor would spoil us with a 14" Eco-Light!

I still need to pick up an ESEE Lite Machete too. So many machetes, so little time (and money).
 
matthewdanger said:
I still need to pick up an ESEE Lite Machete too. So many machetes, so little time (and money).
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Thankfully machetes are so much cheaper than knives. A 14" just got put on my list. would make a great camp blade to beat the snot outta.
 
I would like to see a Condor 14" and 16" version of the Eco-Light.They would need to be the same thickness and profile.For me such a 16" would be just about perfect.
 
The Golok would be much better for batoning and is a fine tool but the Eco-light will easily out chop it.I don't think I would baton with the Eco at all unless it was very small pieces.

The only thing is that the Eco will bight so deep into green hardwood that it may stick a little.The Golok might do better with very hard seasoned hardwood as it's edge profile is thicker but the Eco has greatly excelled the Golok in everything I have chopped so far and it would also be a better choice for briars and light brush.

The Golok would be a handy tool because of it's short length.It would be much easier to carry on the hip.I don't think there is much difference in the weight just the length.
 
R.H.Clark said:
I would like to see a Condor 14" and 16" version of the Eco-Light.They would need to be the same thickness and profile.For me such a 16" would be just about perfect.
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not sure why 16" seems to be somewhat ignored, but I think it would be a popular length (kind of the "goldilocks" length :D)
 
mtwarden said:
not sure why 16" seems to be somewhat ignored, but I think it would be a popular length (kind of the "goldilocks" length :D)
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Funny you should mention that--a design I'm working on prototyping is a 16-incher. :cool::thumbup:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Funny you should mention that--a design I'm working on prototyping is a 16-incher. :cool::thumbup:
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I would love to see a 16" version of the Eco-Light.I think it would be light enough to cut through light stuff over extended periods without getting worn out but still have enough length and forward weight to be a great chopper.The thin blade of the Eco will really bight deep into green hardwoods.Can you tell thin is my favorite?:D
 
I like thin as well. However the design I'm working on looks nothing like a Latin pattern, and it'll be in 3mm (for now!) I want it to be thinner but Admiral only has 1075 down to that thickness. I'd rather it was 1.5-2mm :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I like thin as well. However the design I'm working on looks nothing like a Latin pattern, and it'll be in 3mm (for now!) I want it to be thinner but Admiral only has 1075 down to that thickness. I'd rather it was 1.5-2mm :)
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I'll be looking forward to see whatever you come up with.
 
I have quite a few Imacasa 16 inchers. My 16" Imacasa is up there with one of my favorite machetes of all time. The size just feels perfect. Trust me, I know this size well, and it is about as handy as it sounds, but low and behold Koyote has had my precious 16 incher for a handle redo for a while. I had condor make me a custom 16 inch version of the heavy machete, but tapered. There will be a 16 and 14 inch Eco light Machete down the line.
 
Joezilla said:
I have quite a few Imacasa 16 inchers. My 16" Imacasa is up there with one of my favorite machetes of all time. The size just feels perfect. Trust me, I know this size well, and it is about as handy as it sounds, but low and behold Koyote has had my precious 16 incher for a handle redo for a while. I had condor make me a custom 16 inch version of the heavy machete, but tapered. There will be a 16 and 14 inch Eco light Machete down the line.
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^ that's good news indeed :)

can Coyote do any handle material? I really like the idea of high vis like orange G10 for handles (any knife really)
 
I really like a 14" for stuff close to home in the way of small jobs on my property.
The 18" is nice I agree, but there is just something about the 14" I like more. I have several 14" models from various places now and although some (the Collins models) will likely never be used I do enjoy that size a lot.

STR
 
R.H.Clark said:
I'll be looking forward to see whatever you come up with.
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Thanks! I'll be having two done up to start off with. I'll be sending one to Joe to play around with/critique, and one to stay with me permanently since I'll be too pumped about having it in the flesh to unlock my fingers from it. :D

Joezilla said:
I have quite a few Imacasa 16 inchers. My 16" Imacasa is up there with one of my favorite machetes of all time. The size just feels perfect. Trust me, I know this size well, and it is about as handy as it sounds, but low and behold Koyote has had my precious 16 incher for a handle redo for a while. I had condor make me a custom 16 inch version of the heavy machete, but tapered. There will be a 16 and 14 inch Eco light Machete down the line.
Click to expand...

Joezilla said:
There may be a 12" version too.
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That's some awesome news. Any thoughts on making some nylon sheaths for them like the Marble's pieces had? That'd keep sheathing options for them cheap rather than the leather El Salvador ones.
 
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