Convince me I need a Machete.

kyhunt

kyhunt

Basic Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2007
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As I stated in another thread the only ESSE products I own are 2 AH-1 arrowheads.I almost feel guilty being on this forum with that said. I have several decent knives in various sizes. Wont list them because I dont want to sound like I pushing another company. But my knives range from 2.5 inch blades to 7.5 inch blades. So I have had a hard time justifying lately the purchase of an ESSE. But I dont have a machete of any sorts. Tell me why I need one? What do youdo with yours? Do they have the same warrenty as the other ESSE knives? I live in a small town in central Illinois. I do like to camp and spend alot of time hunting come hunting season. Usually hunt once a week from Sept through Jan. What do some of you folks do with your machetes.
 
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Machete's are one of the best tool in the outdoors, not just the jungle. Most people think that they won't work in the wilderness here in the states. You can do any task with a machete that you'd do with any other blade in the outdoors, except fine detailed work. They will chop, baton, carve, slice, cut and get you back home. The one place where they don't totally shine is on real hardwoods. If you were heading into the woods for a trip a machete and a smaller knife (ESEE 3, Izula) is all you'd need in terms of tools. If you get one you will never regret it!

Also don't feel bad about not having any ESEE knives and being on the forum, that's no prerequisite here. All you need to be is a a like minded person (outdoors, knives, survival, camping, etc) and your more than welcome!!!
 
I use mine for clearing scrub and brambles out of my path when hiking in the woods, landscaping, taking out small to medium trees (leaners/widowmakers) batoning, digging, fatwood hunting, shelter building...the list goes on and on! It's hard to think of a thing I can't do with a machete in the woods.

Try it! You'll like it! :D
 
Besides the fact that they are a very effective tool, they are a ton of fun to work with :)
 
So is the only thing different between the ESEE and the Condor the handle?
 
You can get three or four different machete patterns/sized for under $40 shipped. Tramontinas are a bare bones machetes that would get you started.

I just got an order from machetespecialists.com of a few Trams and a Condor.
 
Machetes are great. Order a condor or the lite. Carry it for a campout/hike and use it anytime you'd use an axe. You'll be converted, as I once was. It does everything. maybe not the best at everything, but very good at it all.
 
If you're not sure you want a machete, go to your local outdoor store and buy a cheap one to try out. It should cost you under $10.00. If you like it and feel it's necessary, buy a better one. If it works for you as it is, just use it until you wear it out or break it.

Or, if you still want a better one, get it and use the cheapie to learn how to throw (disclaimer: machete throwing is awesome).
 
very cold steel said:
If you're not sure you want a machete, go to your local outdoor store and buy a cheap one to try out. It should cost you under $10.00. If you like it and feel it's necessary, buy a better one. If it works for you as it is, just use it until you wear it out or break it.

Or, if you still want a better one, get it and use the cheapie to learn how to throw (disclaimer: machete throwing is awesome).
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Machete throwing ay? nice thought :) Gotta try that sometime. Not with my new LM though, will have to score a cheapo for that.
 
very cold steel said:
If you're not sure you want a machete, go to your local outdoor store and buy a cheap one to try out. It should cost you under $10.00. If you like it and feel it's necessary, buy a better one. If it works for you as it is, just use it until you wear it out or break it.

Or, if you still want a better one, get it and use the cheapie to learn how to throw (disclaimer: machete throwing is awesome).
Click to expand...

I would advise that you check the brand of the machete before buying it. Tramontina, Imacasa/Condor, Hansa, Cold Steel, and Ontario Knife Company all produce quality machetes. Stay away from the Wal*Mart ones! :barf:
 
self defence, clearing wood, digging, draw knifing, carving, bushwacking... and they cost 6 bucks. A good ol 12 inch tram or the Condor Bolo are about the two best blades in the industry for the money.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I would advise that you check the brand of the machete before buying it. Tramontina, Imacasa/Condor, Hansa, Cold Steel, and Ontario Knife Company all produce quality machetes. Stay away from the Wal*Mart ones! :barf:
Click to expand...


No Walmart one for me. I was joking with the wife and kids and told them the one knife I area I didnt have covered was a machete (hint hint, Fathersday). Then I went on to tell them the only machete I ever owned was when I was about 12y.o. It was a cheapo from Walmart. It lasted about 5-10 minutes on the first camping trip it went. It kind of left a bad impression. Ok, heres my question on the ESEE one. Not trying to start anything because I like it and would like to have one. But what makes the ESEE one better than the others quality one listed? I'm ignorant when it comes to machetes.
 
kyhunt said:
No Walmart one for me. I was joking with the wife and kids and told them the one knife I area I didnt have covered was a machete (hint hint, Fathersday). Then I went on to tell them the only machete I ever owned was when I was about 12y.o. It was a cheapo from Walmart. It lasted about 5-10 minutes on the first camping trip it went. It kind of left a bad impression. Ok, heres my question on the ESEE one. Not trying to start anything because I like it and would like to have one. But what makes the ESEE one better than the others quality one listed? I'm ignorant when it comes to machetes.
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Really it is the handle that makes the difference. Other then that you may be perfectly happy with a Tram or Condor. The ESEE and Condors do have the best factory edges though.
 
I have two Tramontinas arriving tomorrow.

For much of the world the machete is THE field tool. Particularly in south America, and much of Asia.

I think that with a machete, a mid sized blade (say a RC 3 or 4) and a folder (like a Swiss Army) you have all your field craft bases covered.

In the end, use and carry what works for YOU. But shoot, for less than 10.00 you can get a 14" Tramontina bolo, and take it out a few times to see if the machete works for YOU. And thats what REALLY counts.
 
With scruffy woods and brush on three sides, I bought a cheap one at the surplus store. The brush is mostly wild honeysuckle which is brittle and is pretty easy to chop. The real problem is grape vine which will grow up into the trees, eventually taking them down. The vines will get up to a few inches across with many climbing into a single tree.

Going after this stuff isn't a regular chore but over many years, I've dealt with it several times. It can be a good work out. Across the board, are machetes pretty much balanced the same? My grip seems a little small even with no more than average sized hands and maybe that makes mine feel unbalanced and kind of a pain with extensive use. Do you get more than quality with a good one? Or is it just the nature of a big tool doing heavy work?
 
I'm no expert when it comes to machetes but I know there are way to many cheap ones out in hardware stores corner fix-it stores with cheap hollow handles, etc.
You should invest in a good one or in a name you can trust... that said, if you don't need a machete all the time, or for a bug out kit, then you don't need one to break the bank.
The Gerber Gator and Gator Jr. is fine for yard work and takes a good edge. You can Google the name and find one cheap. The handle is kind of a padded rubber feel and bit long because the Gator has saw teeth on the back of the blade so a slightly longer handle is good for use as a saw.
If you want something even higher grade and have the funds, even the older model Cold Steal machetes can be bought cheap(er) then at the site.
Of course you can buy the biggest ESEE Knife too, it makes a heck of a chopper!
 
Chrome Horn said:
Across the board, are machetes pretty much balanced the same? My grip seems a little small even with no more than average sized hands and maybe that makes mine feel unbalanced and kind of a pain with extensive use. Do you get more than quality with a good one? Or is it just the nature of a big tool doing heavy work?
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NO! Machetes all balance differently depending on the length, width, thickness, taper, etc. There are different patterns for a reason. For instance this:

yhst-29358752693524_2105_4384751


won't chop the same as this:

yhst-29358752693524_2105_4775856


because the top one is a lightweight intended for cutting grasses and vines, while the bottom one is a tank designed for sinking deep into the harder stuff.

The classic "Latin" pattern is just the best for general go-anywhere work. :)
 
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