I cant find the right machete!

A

AmericanMad

Joined
Aug 22, 2015
Messages
1
Does any one recommend a machete that's made in the U.S.A. , made out of 1095 carbon steel (or better) , and is full tang? I need a decent size machete for survival uses.... clearing brush, batoning possibly, stuff like that. I'm new to this, and I cant find anything like that.
 
AmericanMad said:
Does any one recommend a machete that's made in the U.S.A. , made out of 1095 carbon steel (or better) , and is full tang? I need a decent size machete for survival uses.... clearing brush, batoning possibly, stuff like that. I'm new to this, and I cant find anything like that.
Click to expand...

There's effectively only one USA-made machete option right now, and that's Ontario. All other USA-made machetes (like the TOPS .230 and the Bark River machete) are made using Ontario blanks as the base stock.

Pro Tool Industries (the makers of the Woodman's Pal) make a model called the JEST Bolo, but it's expensive and has a soft heat treatment (as contrasted to the Ontario, which I personally consider too hard.)

Surprisingly no one has stepped up to the plate to compete with Ontario yet. It wouldn't be that hard for a USA knife company to make a competing product.

joshiecole said:
This is the first thing that comes to mind. I don't have one, but they're popular.

http://www.fiddlebackforge.com/index.cfm/fiddleback-forge-handmade-knives/5-inch-blades/machete/
Click to expand...

The blanks are made in El Salvador so they fail the USA-made specification.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
There's effectively only one USA-made machete option right now, and that's Ontario. All other USA-made machetes (like the TOPS .230 and the Bark River machete) are made using Ontario blanks as the base stock.

Pro Tool Industries (the makers of the Woodman's Pal) make a model called the JEST Bolo, but it's expensive and has a soft heat treatment (as contrasted to the Ontario, which I personally consider too hard.)

Surprisingly no one has stepped up to the plate to compete with Ontario yet. It wouldn't be that hard for a USA knife company to make a competing product.



The blanks are made in El Salvador so they fail the USA-made specification.
Click to expand...

I did not know that. I stand corrected.
 
My preference is Ontario.

I have a couple of them I've been using and abusing for over 20 years.

No complaints.
 
i have a half a dozen old machetes or corn knives. nothing really outstanding, but i have used a really old one for years to cut down trees in my yard and for harvesting bamboo.. if you can find a an old W.W.II Collins you'll have something.
i see your looking for USA made. i have a Tramontina i like because it was El Cheapo but does the job.
if i were you i'd look for a parang. just saying. they are very efficient cutters/choppers and work fine for batoning.
buzz
 
Yeah you don't want a US made machete ... it'll be full tang and made from 4 inch thick stock because #overbuilt, with 17 screws in the handle and chisel ground. A non-US made machete is probably made by someone who knows how to make a real machete.
 
Last edited:
How long do you plan to use it? The Ontario is fine for a while, but I don't carry mine if I'll be on longer woods treks. It's too heavy (mine is a cut-down 22" to about 19, so the 18 is probably almost the same). Oh, and the handle is terrible...it'll need to be shaped.

If you're taking longer walks and using it more, look at the Imacasa/Marbles and Tramontina machetes...about the same amount of work to get the handles and bevels right, but much lighter and chop very, very well and keep a good edge while being easy to sharpen.
 
i have about 20 machetes, best one i own is the ontario machete, it is tough as nails i have put it thru the ringer and it still doesnt give up, for the price and quality you cant beat them

mine after alot of years of abuse

20150702_025525_zpsryghrnwt.jpg
 
I've got a 22" HD Ontario machete - and it's great on the heavier stuff. For light-med duty, though, just get yourself a Tramontina.
 
Big Chris makes a 12-inch long barong out of thin-stock 3V heat treated by Peters. It has replaced my machete. 3V beats the 10XX steels every way to Sunday.
 
Get one from Baryonyx Knife co. He'll even custom sharpen and shape the handle if needed for a few dollars more. Your best deal on a production model. Or you have two other choices: Ontario or custom
 
cityofthesouth said:
Yeah you don't want a US made machete ... it'll be full tang and made from 4 inch thick stock because #overbuilt, with 17 screws in the handle and chisel ground. A non-US made machete is probably made by someone who knows how to make a real machete.
Click to expand...
city has a point.
yesterday saw a new machette at the local farm & home. most likely made in China. i didn't waste time asking the clerk to price it.lol
maybe next time.
i live in corn country. plenty of old machettes used for sale.
buzz
 
Cold Steel, if you wan't cheap. Condor is decent. Ontario, yes. I'd had a D guard Ontario machete for decades, neighbor "borrow" casualty.
 
Americans are not machete users. The Ontario is good, but too heavy for extended use. People who use machetes on a daily basis are the real market for good inexpensive working machetes - the Tramontina and some others supply that market. :cool:
 
not sure where you are from but i have over 20 machetes and i use them all the time, they are very well used in the US, and the ontario makes a lot of different models and to me they are perfectly balanced and great for long term use, i have never had any fatigue using mine
 
Highlander 20026 said:
not sure where you are from but i have over 20 machetes and i use them all the time, they are very well used in the US, and the ontario makes a lot of different models and to me they are perfectly balanced and great for long term use, i have never had any fatigue using mine
Click to expand...

They are honestly a fairly ungainly machete, in all their models. If you haven't had any fatigue with yours, you either have incredible endurance, or you're not using them continuously for more than an hour at a time. When you have to use the tool with very few breaks, for periods in excess of an hour straight, then the Ontarios turn to lead in your hand. For short spurts of high intensity chopping work they're just fine, but they're a "sprinting" tool rather than a "long distance" tool. Machetes made for blue collar (or no collar) field laborers in developing nations tend to have a bit more grace to them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top