Experience with Condor Combat Machete

Infi-del

Infi-del

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Hey everyone. I'm looking at getting the Condor T&K Combat Machete. The one with the spear point 13" blade in stainless. It has a full edge on one side and a partial edge near the tip on the other side. Just wondering if anyone has used these and what your impressions were. Is it worth while or a waste of money? Also any experience with condor's stainless machetes in general would be helpful. Thanks.
 
It's a great compact machete, especially when you're already carrying a lot of stuff. I've used mine extensively, though I usually grab something in the 20"-24" range. Condor's stainless is good stuff, too. I used to shy away from stainless in a long blade. I don't anymore--as long as said blade is made by Condor! :p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
It's a great compact machete, especially when you're already carrying a lot of stuff. I've used mine extensively, though I usually grab something in the 20"-24" range.
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For serious work I use my Barteaux (Spelling) 24 inch. I convexed the edge on it and that thing is hell on wheels. This will mainly be a truck blade to keep handy for whatever emergencies come up. That's why I want the smaller size. And a spear point is handy as well in a multi-funtion blade I find. But the partial edge on the back should still allow for batoning should the need come up.

Condor's stainless is good stuff, too. I used to shy away from stainless in a long blade. I don't anymore--as long as said blade is made by Condor! :p
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Same here. Every stainless machete I've played with has been crap. I keep hearing good things about condors stainless and heat treat though. Thanks for the info.

So you have the combat machete model specifically? Got any pics of it in action? How's the sheath hold up? I intend to put a wicked convex grind on it when I get it... how's it's edge retention being stainless? Any wiggle in the handle after serious use?
 
No in-action pics so far, but I've beaten it to hell and it looks nearly like new. I do have non-action photos though. The sheath is fantastic, and can be carried strong side, weak side, OR at the small of the back without issues. The edge retention has been on par with what I'd expect from most carbon steel machetes, though not quite as good (or as scary fine of an edge) as is attainable with Condor's carbon steel. The edge will come with a polished convex already on it, though you may want to give it just a tiny bit of work before taking it out in the field. :)
 
I have a Condor Combat machete- and it's a BEAST! It's much thicker and stiffer than what I consider to be a true "machete"- it's more of a hybrid chopping knife/ dagger to me. Or dare I say- "smatchet"? I haven't had much of a chance to use mine yet, but I'm sure it will do the job. It would be one heck of a "fighter"- that's for sure. The handles on those things are great, and the sheath is nicer than you would expect from a knife at that price point. :thumbup:
 
Wow the convex their edges from the factory? Usually machetes have a rough v grind. Then a minute on the old leather belt is probably all she needs. Thanks for the info. Would love to see an in-hand shot if you got one to give me a size idea. Or a size comparison to something else.
 
Just a comment on the Condor factory edge. When I received my Condor Bushtool that 42B gave away in a contest, I could shave with it. By far the sharpest machete out of the box, that I have ever seen.

Still almost as sharp after limbing 20 or more box elder trees.

42B - still planning on doing a review...:rolleyes:
 
chewbacca said:
Just a comment on the Condor factory edge. When I received my Condor Bushtool that 42B gave away in a contest, I could shave with it. By far the sharpest machete out of the box, that I have ever seen.

Still almost as sharp after limbing 20 or more box elder trees.

42B - still planning on doing a review...:rolleyes:
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No problem, dude! Whenever you get the time. :cool::thumbup:
Gotta' love them billhooks!:D

Oh, and here's a few pics I have on file (the Bush Knife that Chewbacca is talking about is the top one, btw):
CIMG8062.jpg


CIMG8120.jpg


CIMG8123.jpg
 
What's the purpose of the hole in the blade.

BTW, that thing looks awesome. That back edge comes back a litle further than I thought. Might not be good for batoning after all. I may just regrind it and make it full double edged.
 
Infi-del said:
What's the purpose of the hole in the blade.

BTW, that thing looks awesome. That back edge comes back a litle further than I thought. Might not be good for batoning after all. I may just regrind it and make it full double edged.
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The hole is mostly just a trademark kind of thing, but it gives beginners audible feedback during the swing (makes a slight whistling sound when swung with good edge alignment) and for hanging by a nail in a garage or something.

It's perfectly suited for batoning. Just strike along the spine right behind the sharpened section. There's plenty of blade left. If it's a big piece just make sure the baton hits perpendicular (at 90 degrees) to the edge and you'll just dent the baton instead of cutting into it much. Machetes are for MAKING batons--why worry too much? :D

That being said if you mod it and turn it into a full double-edge, make sure you post pics!;)
 
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