- Joined
- Feb 18, 2011
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- 54
I know the machete is not covered under the awesome ESEE warranty, but does anyone have any experience with it? Is it gonna break on me or should I just trust the ESEE name?
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
ESEE Light Machete
- Thread starter calafia666
- Start date
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- Jun 9, 2009
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Lots of us here have become machete convert cultists.
Jeff and Mike wouldn't put the ESEE name on it if it were junk. It's a very nice machete, but what you're paying for is the nice micarta scales. Other than that, it's basically an Imacasa machete with a convex edge. If it's getting used for what a machete is used for, it's going to get beat up, chipped on rocks, etc. but that's all part of machete use and mine has held up and cleaned up great when I do have those little rolls and small chips.
Is it a super-machete? No, it's an Imacasa blade with some really nice handles. But they are very comfortable and greatly reduce hot spots over other handle materials. Might be worth it to you to pay the different, might not be. A plain Imacasa/Condor might be just as good for your use.
Jeff and Mike wouldn't put the ESEE name on it if it were junk. It's a very nice machete, but what you're paying for is the nice micarta scales. Other than that, it's basically an Imacasa machete with a convex edge. If it's getting used for what a machete is used for, it's going to get beat up, chipped on rocks, etc. but that's all part of machete use and mine has held up and cleaned up great when I do have those little rolls and small chips.
Is it a super-machete? No, it's an Imacasa blade with some really nice handles. But they are very comfortable and greatly reduce hot spots over other handle materials. Might be worth it to you to pay the different, might not be. A plain Imacasa/Condor might be just as good for your use.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,895
The Condor Eco Survivor machete is the same blade but a polypropylene handle. If you aren't sure you want to drop the money on the ESEE, get that one first and see if the micarta scales are worth it to you. 
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2009
- Messages
- 1,367
It's most definitely my next order. I thought I placed an order the other day through Dale, but somehow my tech savvy self managed to screw the order up and I guess it never went through. I'm really looking forward to working with the machete and the 3 during deer scouting.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2010
- Messages
- 977
A proper machete is hard to break.
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Do you guys know if that noss guy ever attacked a machete?
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Do you guys know if that noss guy ever attacked a machete?
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2009
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Not that I know of.
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- Mar 17, 2010
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go for it! don't trust the esee name blindly but trust your first hand experience with it - use it often and see if it holds up to the way you're using it. in my experience, it beats the crap outta the junglas in pure chopping contest...in fact, i just came from a hike earlier today with the lite machete, junglas and becker patrol machete (moose's pass around)...i can now add the patrol machete to the list of high-end/high priced knives the lite machete beat the crap out of. there's the pass-around thread on the becker forum actually - i'll post my official review there in the coming days.
like fortytwoblades said, it's really just a $10 imacasa 18" blade with an esee micarta handle. you can try that $10 original version and see for yourself...come to think of it, i bet i'd be just as happy with that version as well.
like fortytwoblades said, it's really just a $10 imacasa 18" blade with an esee micarta handle. you can try that $10 original version and see for yourself...come to think of it, i bet i'd be just as happy with that version as well.
I can let you know in a few days how well it held up.
- Joined
- May 25, 2007
- Messages
- 15,113
I love my lite machete (all 4 of 'em)
I carry mine camping everytime(old pic but...)taking it this weekend camping too !
I carry mine camping everytime(old pic but...)taking it this weekend camping too !
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2011
- Messages
- 54
Wow thanks a lot everybody! I'm sold! Ordering now! Thanks Jeff u rock and my collection is almost complete! Dizwolf pics rock!!!! I'll post pics when I get mine! 1 more question, how far does the tang go down???
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2009
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- 4,212
Pretty far. There was a pic a long time ago, I'll see if I can rustle it up.
ETA: Damn, I spend way too much time on this forum, but my search-fu is strong!
Pic courtesy of Jeff. As you can see, this thing is stout.
R.A.T.
Randall's Adventure & Training
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2004
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- 10,400
EVERYTHING is removable.... You just need enough leverage.
And that's exactly how some of our users think
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- Sep 5, 2010
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- 2,690
Compared to the Ontario 12", the Cold Steel 16" Bolo, and the Condor Cutlass Machete/Sword, the Lite machete is King.
It's the best handle, material and ergonomics. It's got the perfect reach, the best weight for all day use (I think). A short machete has it's merits. But, ESEE got this one right.
If you want to spend more, look at the Fiddleback Forge Machete's. 12 ,14, 16, 18" varieties, with a similar concept. Blades are from South America, handles are from Fiddleback Forge. Each one runs $100, no sheath, but similar warranty.
Personally, I like the ESEE's handle, and have sanded it a bit, for a better pinch grip.
It's the best handle, material and ergonomics. It's got the perfect reach, the best weight for all day use (I think). A short machete has it's merits. But, ESEE got this one right.
If you want to spend more, look at the Fiddleback Forge Machete's. 12 ,14, 16, 18" varieties, with a similar concept. Blades are from South America, handles are from Fiddleback Forge. Each one runs $100, no sheath, but similar warranty.
Personally, I like the ESEE's handle, and have sanded it a bit, for a better pinch grip.