Esee lite machete vs. fiddleback machete

I don't own that Blind Horse machete, but the sheath seems like a great idea. Especially if you will be getting it wet, crossing rivers, in the rain, or just put it away after cutting vegetation.
I already have several 12"-14" machetes/choppers, so I can't justify the need. Yet, I'd love to get another FBF, a 12" and the BHK's machete, and the Svord Kiwi, and the Mora Lightweight machete, oh I need help!
 
foxx said:
I already have several 12"-14" machetes/choppers, so I can't justify the need. Yet, I'd love to get another FBF, a 12" and the BHK's machete, and the Svord Kiwi, and the Mora Lightweight machete, oh I need help!
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There is no help. Only more machetes. :D

In all seriousness I use my Mora machete all the time. It's a very different sort of chopper that bites deeper than you'd expect for its weight and I carry it in a JRE sheath set up with an over-the-shoulder sling. Lately I've been using a big ol' ugly angled-bladed hybrid of a cane knife and a tapanga.
 
Hey 42,
you should do a video review of the Svord Kiwi. I'm curious about the sheath, your site says it usually comes with a leather sheath, but then it's listed as a yellow rubber coated fabric sheath? I don't mind the orange handle, but I'd rather have a leather sheath, well just not yellow, OTOH I do enjoy doing a good spray paint camo job!
I'd like to see some pics of one that's been convexed as well...HELP ME I CAN'T STOP MYSELF:D I don't "NEED" another machete, but I'm curious about that Sandvik L6. I don't even mind a hollow ground edge if it's done well, how well does it chop compared to your convexed Ontario 12"?

EDIT: I see now the leather is being phased out for the yellow rubberized fabric, spray paint it will be....
 
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i have both the ontario and the Svord, for me there isnt any real noticable difference in its cutting abilities. The L6 though will hold and edge far longer than my Ontario. And by the way...... i was doubtful about the sheath that the Svord came with but after using it for a while it seems to be far more sturdier than i thought. It kind of reminds me of a molded sheath made from a fire hose.
 
rctk1 said:
i have both the ontario and the Svord, for me there isnt any real noticable difference in its cutting abilities. The L6 though will hold and edge far longer than my Ontario. And by the way...... i was doubtful about the sheath that the Svord came with but after using it for a while it seems to be far more sturdier than i thought. It kind of reminds me of a molded sheath made from a fire hose.
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That's two good points going toward the Svord, because I just order one. The Ontario's are great, but a bit "soft" for edge retention, great for toughness. And, I'm glad to hear that the sheath is better than I was imagining, now I'm imagining it still getting painted up with some camo pattern.


42Blades, I don't "NEED" either, so I just placed an order for the Kiwi machete and the Mora Ultralight with the JRE sheath. Damn this machete and tomahawk addiction;) It's bad when I have machetes I havent' even gotten to try out yet, but still ordering more!
 
Ill be the odd man out, but esee or condor lite hands down. Same steel, from same maker and a sheath and allot less money. I like pretty stuff, but for a machete ill go with value.
 
foxx said:
That's two good points going toward the Svord, because I just order one. The Ontario's are great, but a bit "soft" for edge retention, great for toughness. And, I'm glad to hear that the sheath is better than I was imagining, now I'm imagining it still getting painted up with some camo pattern.


42Blades, I don't "NEED" either, so I just placed an order for the Kiwi machete and the Mora Ultralight with the JRE sheath. Damn this machete and tomahawk addiction;) It's bad when I have machetes I havent' even gotten to try out yet, but still ordering more!
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And received! I'll get it right out to ya'--you'll love 'em both. :D And yeah--the new yellow sheaths are of surprising quality. The material is a super heavyweight rubberized fabric like professional fishermen's rain slickers or drybags, and it's double-layered.

jbmonkey said:
Ill be the odd man out, but esee or condor lite hands down. Same steel, from same maker and a sheath and allot less money. I like pretty stuff, but for a machete ill go with value.
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I know what you mean. Lots of great options out there for machetes and for so little money, too.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I know what you mean. Lots of great options out there for machetes and for so little money, too.
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Yep, and you carry most of them. Between the imacasa's, condors, and trams........hard part is picking one.

Although the more I look at that fiddleback the more I like it, but waiting on a custom sheath and the higher pricing makes my imacasa's, condors, esee, and trams seem good enough.
 
Just make a "hobo leather" sheath like I demonstrate in the linked thread. :D They ARE fantastic machetes. You can obviously get by with much less and I usually do, but I really do love those Fiddlebacks of mine. I've got an 18" and a 16". The 16" is my favorite of the two.
 
I have a 12" fiddleback-a bit thicker than traditional, pure machete design, but for anything short of hardcore, all-day vinne-slashing, I think it will cover it. Not the best choice for splitting wood, but can do so if used properly. Love the design and the feel of the knife.

Two things: A busse BM or a sykco 1311 are cool pieces of steel, but just because they are long and and have an edge does not make them machetes. I haven't had a 1311, of course, as they are brand-new, but I have a BM and a bunch others, and I just get more use from my 12" fiddleback. Second: I think a whole bunch of machetes out there are quality items and have a lot in common, including, often, sources for blanks. You find one you like, and takes enough of a reasonable beating, you have it. I found what worked well for me. Realistically, sometimes you have people on the boards who ask for the best whatever and a couple of months later, suddenly an expert, they proclaim Brand X is that best ever in reponse to a new query. Grain of salt.
 
I have two solid workhorses, that I use more than any, an 18" tramontina, and Collin's Latin. They get more abuse than a hunk of steel should take.

My Collin's does ditch work, banging around on stones and what not, my Tram does everything else.

My only complaint about a Tramontina, it costs more to ship it than it does to buy it. :D

Moose
 
foxx said:
That's two good points going toward the Svord, because I just order one. The Ontario's are great, but a bit "soft" for edge retention, great for toughness. And, I'm glad to hear that the sheath is better than I was imagining, now I'm imagining it still getting painted up with some camo pattern.


42Blades, I don't "NEED" either, so I just placed an order for the Kiwi machete and the Mora Ultralight with the JRE sheath. Damn this machete and tomahawk addiction;) It's bad when I have machetes I havent' even gotten to try out yet, but still ordering more!
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Mind me asking how you those two compare when you get them in? I had another thread looking for comparisons of those exact two machetes and got some good feedback, but I'd love to hear your thoughts as a new owner of both as well :).
 
For the record--there may soon be a third contender sans sheath and a little more than the Svord, but way cool. It, like the Mora, was originally intended for other work, so I just need to finalize some testing before putting it up on the site as endorsed for wood chopping. Initial tests are very positive though, and it has a full flat grind. ;)
 
Everytime this thread pops back up, I go back through my four foot tall stack of knife magazines, from 1995-96? To present day, looking for machetes. But that late magazine, the one with the Boomslang, BHK machete and ESEE Light, is a favorite. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
For the record--there may soon be a third contender sans sheath and a little more than the Svord, but way cool. It, like the Mora, was originally intended for other work, so I just need to finalize some testing before putting it up on the site as endorsed for wood chopping. Initial tests are very positive though, and it has a full flat grind. ;)
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for a machete lover like myself, what a teaser.....can you tell us steel type? if you can't say brand or model? thanks.

i'm excited as i have one of your mora 333's and recently got the leather sheath from you for it, although i would have preferred kydex....but........that mora is seeing some real action since the sheath makes it's easier for me to take in the swamp lands. it is one useful combo super light machete/knife. real unique. can't wait to see what your new idea is............
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
For the record--there may soon be a third contender sans sheath and a little more than the Svord, but way cool. It, like the Mora, was originally intended for other work, so I just need to finalize some testing before putting it up on the site as endorsed for wood chopping. Initial tests are very positive though, and it has a full flat grind. ;)
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Hmm, same use case idea as well?

Lets be honest, thats quite a bit of a teaser. Any idea if its possible to do a quick comparison test while you're finishing up that "initial testing"? Or would that be some sort of conflict of interest? Throwing in the 14in tram would be awesome as well.

If you can't tell, I'm a sucker for comparison reviews.
 
Mostly I just don't want to look like an idiot if I bust it. :p

It's a Friedrick Dick 14" "chopping/hacking knife" for professional butchers. Stainless full flat grind with a broad blade and springy heat treatment. I've chopped some stuff with deliberate lateral tear-out without any edge damage so far. Just gotta really pound on it (including batoning) to make sure it'll hold up.

Hold on--I'll snap some quick webcam shots.

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