CS machete lemon?

R

raybateson

Joined
Nov 1, 2006
Messages
196
Very non-familiar with machetes in general. I'd gotten the cold steel 18" latin model. A very light flex of the blade in either direction would leave it bending over, following some standard wood-chooping it nearly resembled the curvature of a full letter 'u', that could not be fixed.

Bad heat-treatment? Too little blade thickness in CS machetes? Or what? Now I really do want to get the 24" instead, but don't want to buy another vowel. I would hope to be informed that this is not an example of the usual quality of the brand.
 
The Latin machetes and almost all the other with the exception of the Khuk is not very good.
 
A couple of people have had Cold Steel machetes bend out of shape and edges deform. The problem seems to be with the machetes made in South Africa (Okapi). I think the Latin, Heavy, Magnum Kukri are made in SA.
The Rest of their machetes are made in China and they seem to be good for the price.

Don't give up on machetes just yet. Tramontina makes some great ones for $5-10. If you fancy something a bit thicker and made in the USA out of 1095 Ontario makes an excellent machete for $16-$22
 
I have a machete from Tramontina and its cheap and definitely classified as a working tool. Liked it so much that I bought a set each of 36pcs spoon and fork from them even though there's only about 6 people eating here.
 
if you want a thicker machete look into purchaseing a Ontario. 1095 blade and made in the USA.
 
What kind of "wood" are you chopping and how thick is it? Machetes aren't the best tool for chopping thick or hardwoods as they are meant more for thin green woods and vine or canes and grass.

If you need to cut heavier or hardwoods, you may need something sturdier such as a golok or khukri.
 
I have the CS Bolo model (Made in South Africa) and it chops wood with no deformation. The steel definitely does not deform as easily as what you described. My only gripe is the factory bevel was very uneven. I corrected it on a belt sander, than used diamond hones to smooth up the edge and get it nice and sharp.
 
ive got a US machete made by ontario. its extremly tough ive been useing it clear brush and branches on my property for a few years now.i wouldnt hesitate to buy another one.
 
I have two Cold Steel machetes...zero problems with either. Maybe you just received a bad one.
 
I've not handled the Cold Steel machetes but I've been quite impressed with their Gurkha Kukri (different tool, different purpose.) I have owned Ontario machetes and when I need to replace one (if they get stolen or if I decide I need to have more in several locations) I always look for an Ontario 18" with the sawback. It's not a high quality saw but it has worked for me in a pinch when I've needed it to and it does sit atop a high quality machete.
 
The_Monkeyboy said:
I have a 12" Barong model that works great. I believe it is one of their chinese-made ones.
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Is this a Cold Steel machete? I was unaware that any of them were made in China. I thought all of their machetes were made in S. Africa.

Regards,
3G
 
If you want my opinion,I don't think its a heat problem.The problem is the Cold steel Latin Machetes models in 18 and 24" are only 2mm thick which is too thin.While the Ontario latin machetes are slightly over 3mm thick.IMO for such a long blade cold steel should go with 3mm thick blade like they do with their new machetes like the barong,bowie,kopis,sax and spear points.Until they do, I definitely would not buy their latin machete even though they have some very comfortable non-slip, shock absorbing rubber handles.
 
razorburn said:
If you want my opinion,I don't think its a heat problem.The problem is the Cold steel Latin Machetes models in 18 and 24" are only 2mm thick which is too thin.While the Ontario latin machetes are slightly over 3mm thick.IMO for such a long blade cold steel should go with 3mm thick blade like they do with their new machetes like the barong,bowie,kopis,sax and spear points.Until they do, I definitely would not buy their latin machete even though they have some very comfortable non-slip, shock absorbing rubber handles.
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Ironically, while 2 mm would be thin, at least some of their latin machetes are even thinner. The one I have is barely over 1 mm, and I've seen two others that were about 1 mm thick, too.
 
Same thing happened to my CS 18" Latin.I don't think it's the thickness.I have a forged Made In Brazil that has a distal taper and is much thinner and it's never given me a problem cutting any size or kind of wood for 20 years.

As mentioned Tramontina is IMHO a much better machete than CS.
 
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