Got mine!- Marbles 14” Scout Machete

[bearthedog]

I have been looking for something in between an Ontario 12” and a Tramontina 14” bolo machete. I decided to try out a Marbles Scout Machete and it was here waiting for me when I got back from my trip this past weekend.

I took some shots before I really got it ugly.

-RB

The handle is quite the beefy affair. I have already started to sand it down.

I like a wide blade, the Marbles Scout was a nice wide blade, and a useable tip for puncturing.

 

[septer]

Very nice,although to me it looks like a jazzed up blaze orange Martindale machete,and there is nothing wrong with that?

 

[PayetteRucker]

Well it's basically a toned-down Condor machete-same grind on the blade but less F&F into the handle. I think she's a perfect allarounder and BTD has done a great job of bringing out the inherant beauty in that orange Scout machete. It's a great name for the blade.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I love the orange blade and stripe on the handle. Have considered making a sheath out of Home Depot bucket plastic just to go right over the top, and I probably will...

The edge on mine out of the box wasn't horrible, but it cleaned up to a fairly impressive edge.

This d*mn Forum! - I now have enough machetes that I have a hard time deciding which one to tie on my pack. At least I already have this one...

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

the stock looks thinner than my tramontina's

if it is that would be a fast whippy blade for light stuff

 

[PayetteRucker]

It's considerably thicker than tramontina. Not quite Condor thick but close, I'd put it at maybe Ontario thickness. The balance still makes it very fast and lively.

 

[bearthedog]

the stock looks thinner than my tramontina's

if it is that would be a fast whippy blade for light stuff

It is about the same thickness as the Tramontina Bolo Machete, but not as thick as the Ontario's (1/8) unless you are talking about the economy versions that are way thinner.

-RB

 

[PayetteRucker]

I have the Ontario military issue machete in hand with the Scout and the blade widths are for all intents and purposes the same. If you stripped the coating off the Marbles I'd call them identical.

 

[bearthedog]

I have the Ontario military issue machete in hand with the Scout and the blade widths are for all intents and purposes the same. If you stripped the coating off the Marbles I'd call them identical.

I'm pretty sure you must have the thinner Ontario. I also have that one too here and it is close to the Marbles. The regular Ontario machete (12"/18") are thicker at 1/8" exactly and the weight is obviously heavier at 16 oz for a 12" blade compared to the 14" Marbles that weighs 15 oz for a longer, wider blade. The Marbles is closer to 3/32" in thickness.

I will take a spine shot photo of both Ontario machete's and the Marbles tomorrow.

-RB

 

[PayetteRucker]

I have a few condors at 1/8th and my Ontario is smaller. The mil issue must be if the Econo line stock-bought it at the PX from the typical contracted super-brand that shoves all the tacticool kit into their own packaging and sells it significantly less than retail. I think I paid 9 dollars for it, including US issue canvas sheath.

 

[HeavyHanded]

My Scout has a distal taper, my Tram does not. Without measuring, they look about the same at the base, but the Scout gets a lot thinner the last 1/3 or so.

 

[bearthedog]

Spine shots

R-L Tramontina 14" Bolo, Marbles 14", Ontario 12" economy, Ontario 12"

Top-Bottom Tramontina 14" Bolo, Marbles 14", Ontario 12", Ontario 12" economy

R-L Tramontina 14" Bolo, Marbles 14", Ontario 12", Ontario 12" economy

A nylon 18" machete sheath fits the Marbles 14" Scout like a deep pocket carry sheath knife.

 

[PayetteRucker]

wow, I may have to pick up the non-eco Ontario....

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Sweet

Let us know how it chops

 

[bearthedog]

I have the ability to always find a hidden brick.

Clean up time again

One of those moments when you wish you could call a "do-over."

Aftermath

UGLY!!!!!!!

 

[bearthedog]

So far it's working out. I will be using it on our next West Coast Survival trip in January.

-RB

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Good the hear! Keep us posted!