I need advice on buying a machete

I have a Gerber gator box store special, and hated it; buying a new Tram was the best decision, but I am glad I still held on to the gator, A) for when my step son helps me clear trails. B) for clearing ground brush and such where hitting rocks and concrete (etc) it is a dream because I don't care whenever I hear that "ding" that usually makes me cringe with other blades.

That said, if you buy a new "?", sharpen and keep the big box special, you won't regret having both at your disposal.
 
jbmonkey said:
Sure there are good and bad, but the op has the box store one. I'll bet it didnt have a finished edge. Never seen a box store one that did yet. He might as well try to get it sharp and use it since he already spent the money on it. Hence my suggestion.
Click to expand...

I know. I was possibly disagreeing with your suggestion, since, based on the box store one I had(maybe he got his somewhere else, maybe he didn't), using it would actually be DANGEROUS due to the propensity of the handles to break or the blade itself to snap of the cheap Walmart machete. If he got a cheap one or Home Depot or something, yeah, fine, sharpen it and use it. But if he got the Walmart one, he's better off just forgetting about it and getting something better.
 
Cold steel and tramontina machetes are fairly cheap, no need to worry about toughness in those. Why save $5-$10 by going to walmart. Unless walmart carries good brand names
 
DShiflet said:
They don't, not really. They carry Gerber Bear Grylls stuff, and a terrible cheap one.
Click to expand...

I thought the bear grills was a terrible cheap one ;)

Honestly, I thought those had been pulled after several serious failures, but I saw the gerbers at Cabellas, shocking. Stay away from Bear Grills gerber machete.
 
For a more classic long machete I like my Condor El Salvador with a mircata handle
Salvador%20mach%20sm_zpsb0e9rt3m.jpg

for a short but effective one I like my Woodman’s Pal Military Premium 284
WoodsmanPalsm.jpg
 
Thanks to all who responded for a the great info posted. I ordered a Tram from Baryonyx with their deluxe finish. I may try to put an edge on the Wallyworld special but I don't expect much from it. I didn't want to spend lots of $$ to hack a few vines but I went too cheap and forgot the old axiom " you get what you pay for".
 
Cobalt said:
I thought the bear grills was a terrible cheap one ;)

Honestly, I thought those had been pulled after several serious failures, but I saw the gerbers at Cabellas, shocking. Stay away from Bear Grills gerber machete.
Click to expand...

The Bears supposedly had their problems fixed, but I'd still be wary about getting one. That said, they're like $30 at Walmart, while the cheap one is like $8.
 
solman said:
Thanks to all who responded for a the great info posted. I ordered a Tram from Baryonyx with their deluxe finish. I may try to put an edge on the Wallyworld special but I don't expect much from it. I didn't want to spend lots of $$ to hack a few vines but I went too cheap and forgot the old axiom " you get what you pay for".
Click to expand...

Hey, I know you already said you bought something. Is it possible to see a picture of your vines along your fenceline?
 
I added a photo of the area I wanted to clean up. This brush runs along the fence line for about 25 feet.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0392.jpg
    IMG_0392.jpg
    25.9 KB · Views: 34
Used an Ontario Military for years, and my Dad has actually worn a couple out with use and sharpening. They aren't the best but they are darn good for $15-20. Plain carbon steel, takes a decent edge easily fixed if ding on rocks etc.

Get the one without the saw on the back and the longer one I think it has an 18" blade.

One day I will have a light 3V machete that will last my life and my grandchildren's...
 
I bought and used a cheap cold steel machete, and the edge became mutilated after chopping some small (0.75") branches. I just got an ESEE that looks great, but i haven't used it.
 
What the 2nd post said, condor machete of ontario military machete. Great HT for the money. Some online stores have both in all sizes too, and good prices. 3V machetes are amazing, quite a bit more money though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top