Good Machete?

S

SDD

Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
164
Hello all,

I would like a recommendation on a machete which will be a good machete and easy to sharpen but not very expensive. I do realize that ESEE has their new machete for sale but I do not want to spend 50 dollars on a machete which I will beat up. Here are pictures of my current machete.
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I mountain bike and we are constantly making new trails and doing work to maintain old ones. I will cut anything from grass up to trees 4 to 6 inches thick. When clearing trail I don't have time to make sure the blade doesn't hit rocks which is why my current machete is chipped. Also what is a good way to get a machete sharp?

Thanks

SDD
 
$50 is not bad to spend... BRK&T machete was $150 , Ontario are $20-$30 ,Trams are $10-20 are you'll need to reprofile the edge maybe work on the handle....
Condor has a large varity as well $20-$50
and all machetes should look like that IMO it is just a tool after all
 
Imacasa/Condor

As for sharpening, depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, some combination of a file, sandpaper, sharpening stone, belt sander, etc.
 
Tramontina Bolo, awesome awesome "cheap" machete.

I've used Ontarios and a Condor of the same thickness, and I prefer the thin machetes, even for chopping wood. They bite deep and are very light...thick machetes come across to me as "big knives"...
 
I say look at Trams they are cheap and need to have an edge put on them. But IMO are hard to beat for the price. If you want a better edge look at Condor.
 
That Ontario you have is pretty darned good quality, though if I were you I'd take a bastard file to it and give it an even flat grind. You can get tramontinas for 6 dollars at Smokey Mountain, though expect to apply your own edge-the factory edge sucks. I HIGHLY recommend the Condor Bolo. If you're clearing trails, this machete is your beast. It almost swings like an axe, it's got a very distinct sweet spot for chopping woody brush and it's extraordinarily efficient. It also has a sharpened false edge which is great for digging at roots, rocks et cetera. For your purposes this is exactly the machete I'd want, and at 15 bucks you can't go wrong. I'd also consider the Condor Golok-I haven't used one personally, but it too is designed for clearing thick brush.

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PS, that is the factory edge! Shaving sharp, very easy to maintain.
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Eventually all machetes will chip on a rock, noodle in a tree or just snap in two if you use them a lot.
I use Ontario machetes ranging from 18" - 22" blade lengths constantly. If I ever feel like I need a lightweight version I would certainly purchase the ESEE Lite mostly because I like how they do business.
$50 - $60 isn't too much to spend to support the locals is it?
Help take the USA back. Buy ESEE. ;)
 
The Lite Machete is made in El Salvador, by Imacasa/Condor. You can get a Condor Eco-Survivor which is an almost identical blade, with a very ergonomic orange polymer handle instead of orange micarta, for 11 bucks. I'm not trying to steal ESEE thunder, but if you don't need an elitist finish, there are certainly completely viable options out there. I say get the Condor and take the 40 bucks you save and buy an Izula :)
 
I agree that $50 is a lot to spend on a machete that you are just going to beat up. My recommendation would be a Tramontina. Tough as hell and under $20.
 
Another vote for tramontina, I have an 18 incher, it's awesome. $6.99 from machete specialist. good luck BD
 
I Have the ESEE Lite Machete FANTASTIC a little lite Mod to the Blade**(Side Note I Need to Post pics of the Mod Forty2 did to it) It's my New friend now and with the Rc-6 or 4 it's great!
 
SAKnives said:
Eventually all machetes will chip on a rock, noodle in a tree or just snap in two if you use them a lot.
)
Click to expand...

Funny--hasn't happened to me yet! I must be doing it wrong! :p

Another vote for anything by Imacasa/Condor, and I'd also like to suggest Hansa. Great stuff.
 
SDD said:
I do realize that ESEE has their new machete for sale but I do not want to spend 50 dollars on a machete which I will beat up.
Click to expand...

My ESEE machete was worth well more than the $50 I paid for it. All depends on expectations though I suppose.
 
Everyone seems to be giving you good advice. You can buy an $8 machete that will work fine, but you'll have to sharpen it before you use it. I love my Condor machetes. I have the Golok and the Barong, and plan on getting other designs.

machetespecialists.com does have an awesome selection, but they do NOT have the best prices. Shop around before you buy.
 
The Parang XL 10" that I designed for Fox Knives, steel 440C, Hardness 55-56hrc, thickness 3mm




Cheers, Alfredo
 
check out the Condor Golok - under $40 shipped from a variety of online stores, and the walnut handle is surprisingly "grippy" and comfortable.
as for fixing the edge on a machete - +1 for using a fine cut file. quick, light passes on a belt sander works pretty good, too.
 
First I'd get a small folding shovel to remove the rocks from the area you'll be chopping it if you cut that low to the ground. Then buy a Condor.
 
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