GSO 6 or Machete?

R

rc51kid

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Which do you think will be better for MY needs? A GSO 6 or Machete? I have a GSO 6 on order and i am excited about it. I tend to like smaller knives and i travel light. My Falkniven F1 was the biggest knife i owned up until i got my GSO 4.7. And honestly i dont think i ever really felt i needed bigger. But man that 4.7 feels nice. Anyway back tot he question. I will probably never CARRY the GSO6. When i backpack i tend to go light or almost ultra light. When i am fly fishing by myself in remote areas i will go a little heavier because i am alone and off trail. But that is often the just the F1 or i might use the 4.7 or even the 2.7 i have on order. So i started thinking about the GSO6 i have on order.

I have a old Land Cruiser and do a good bit of off road to remote areas . I carry all sorts of crap including a full size axe. I was thinking of adding the GSO6 to the axe in the truck. When i am out in the truck i always have EDC smaller stuff with me as well. Even if it is just a folder or even a old Opinel i keep in the center consoled. But i started thinking. Wouldnt a cheap full sized machete paired with the axe really do more than the axe and GSO6? Considering that i will have other small knives for food prep and small work? I know i could do both, but what a waste to have a GSO6 sitting in the truck instead of in a home where it gets used often.

PS if this is the wrong area please feel free to move the post.
 
Given your carry preferences I suggest the the GSO 6 is not enough of a variation to warrant. My preference would be an 8" to 10" chopper. Don't see the need for a machete or any blade longer than 10" unless you are brushwacking. The axe and an 8" knife along with your 4.7 will allow great versatility. IMHO
 
rc51kid said:
Which do you think will be better for MY needs? A GSO 6 or Machete? I have a GSO 6 on order and i am excited about it.
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The answer to this is subjective based on your personal preference, skill level, and environment.

There are exceptions, but generally a machete is best suited for bushwhacking. In most cases, it's a flexible piece of steel with an edge. The GSO 6 would not be preferred for clearing brush... But that's not a typical task when backpacking or flyfishing. The GSO 6 is a fantastic one-knife solution that will handle small and medium sized tasks well. It will serve as a light chopper as needed, but would not be preferable to a Silky saw and axe. Your mileage may vary.

In the end, the user's skill level has a lot to do with the capabilities of a knife. In a jungle, I would opt for a machete... But a GSO 6 would otherwise be my choice between the two.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
If you need to clear light brush and brambles the machete is good option.
For dealing with wood a folding saw and an axe work better for me.
I also agree with Forte, whatever tool you can use safely and effectively is the one to carry.
 
Buy the L.T. Wright Knives Overland Machete now, then buy the 6 when it is in production.
 
Lozza said:
Sounds like your on the fence whether to or not to cancel your order.....
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Nope, no point in canceling. Might as well let it show up. Too much fun to get cool stuff in the mail. Figure if i deside it is not a good fit i will just let it find a new home. But i still cant wait to see how it feels in the hand. I felt the same way about the 4.7. thinking it would feel too big and clunky. But the handle is so nice it does not feel that big.
 
I agree, based on the specifications I thought the 4.7 would not be nearly as well balanced and nimble and comfortable as it really is.
 
I look forward to my GSO6 arriving , hopefully the nursing home lets me keep it.
 
I have a GSO 6 on pre-order and I cant wait! I would go GSO 6 every time over a machete... #1 reason is because you can get a machete anytime you want, but should you find yourself in need of a GSO 6 its going to be more likely then not that 1 you wont be able to find one and if you do its going to cost much much more then you would have to pay for a Machete. #2 a GSO 5 is in my opinion much more versatile and a true "survival knife"
 
MadMax2015 said:
I have a GSO 6 on pre-order and I cant wait! I would go GSO 6 every time over a machete... #1 reason is because you can get a machete anytime you want, but should you find yourself in need of a GSO 6 its going to be more likely then not that 1 you wont be able to find one and if you do its going to cost much much more then you would have to pay for a Machete. #2 a GSO 5 is in my opinion much more versatile and a true "survival knife"
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Exactly, someday I figure I'll be grateful to my previous self for placing orders for so many excellent affordably priced knives. Someday. :)
 
MadMax2015 said:
...a GSO 5 is in my opinion much more versatile and a true "survival knife"
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Max, I would be interested to know why you think that. While I think that they BOTH are awesome knives, I would lean toward the 6 being a better one tool option.
 
Indeed NC, I would think that the choil versus non-choil would make more difference than an inch of sharpened length.
Most folks seem to be of the opinion that for a one tool option you are better off with the choil for detail work.
 
Fancier said:
Indeed NC, I would think that the choil versus non-choil would make more difference than an inch of sharpened length.
Most folks seem to be of the opinion that for a one tool option you are better off with the choil for detail work.
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I figured that would be the reasoning. I would not argue with that and sorta get it... but I hate choils. I don't think I am at a disadvantage without a choil (but might not know since I haven't owned one in years). I also think that the extra inch provides options. Then again, if someone gave me a 5.1 and said it was the only knife I could ever own, I would not be too upset. :)
 
ncrockclimb said:
I figured that would be the reasoning. I would not argue with that and sorta get it... but I hate choils. I don't think I am at a disadvantage without a choil (but might not know since I haven't owned one in years). I also think that the extra inch provides options. Then again, if someone gave me a 5.1 and said it was the only knife I could ever own, I would not be too upset. :)
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I was anti-choil until I found one done right. Enter the new spec GSO 5.1. I'm learning to love it. I actually enjoy choking up, moving the balance point closer to the center of my hand rather than slightly weight forward.

I am really anxious to get the GSO 6 I have on order. I sold my old spec 6, and immediately regretted it. The only knock on the old spec was the handle seemed a bit too short to have all of that steel out in front of the handle. I think the new spec design will be perfect for me.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
 
ncrockclimb said:
Max, I would be interested to know why you think that. While I think that they BOTH are awesome knives, I would lean toward the 6 being a better one tool option.
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I am sorry I actually meant GSO 6, the GSO 5 was a typographical error... The GSO 6 would definitely make a better one tool option especially over the 5 because of the extra length on the blade. I have a GSO 5.1(new spec) and although I do really like it a lot, I definitely think I would find myself reaching for the 6 more often then not! They are both nice but given the extra length to aide in batoning and more edge just can see the 6 giving me more options. If I was going to go for choil-less the 4.7 or 6 would be good options for a choiled option the 5.1 or 7/7 would be good options but I figure a 5.1 and a 6 will give me enough versatility at least until my 10 comes in!!!! Survive!!!
 
The 6 was my first GSO and I thought it was going to be too big for me. But I found it's an easy knife to use, even for smaller tasks. Anyway, I asked Guy a similar question about 3 years ago about why I would buy a 7/7 (I prefer to use a knife with a choil but the 6 and 7/7 have the same blade length) when I could have an ax in the pack. He suggested that having a longer blade gives you more room for error, meaning if you screw up the blade in a survival situation you have more blade to use. Also a longer blade can do more things like carving, cutting, chopping and batoning. And an ax can really only chop and cut.

I've done a ton of work with my 6 and 7/7 and I've found that I could do about 90% of what I needed to do with the 6 or 7/7 that I could do with my F1, 4.1 or 3.5. I just needed to be a bit more careful. I am not a machete fan and I'd rather have an ax. When I go out in the woods I carry a 5.1 a 7/7 and my hand ax. If I could only carry one knife in the woods with the ax I would carry the 7/7 (again I like choils).

I think you'll like the new 6, it's supposed to be a beast!
 
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