Back in the 40's, my Dad always had one of those army-surplus machetes we all know and love, but I never saw him do anything with it and he wouldn't let me play with it.
Ten years later, I was haunting the local Army-Navy surplus store, drooling over those "camp-pal" machetes with a bow guard and brush hook (also the bin full of surplus Navy MkII Kabars, only $5, I could never put $5 together).
Those "camp-pals", if that's the correct name, are still on the market, I'm surprised nobody here talks about using them.
Ten years later, my wife and I started back-packing and I picked up a short heavy French-army surplus machete, which I teamed with a civilian Kabar and a scout knife.
Twenty years later, I bought a 17" Tramontina which I have since used for a variety of bushwhacking adventures here in northern New York. And no, I don't find that blade length excessive, I actually like it for the blade energy.
Two years ago I bought a Filipino bolo from Reflections of Asia. It has a much thicker 12" blade, I like it but it hasn't won my heart yet over the Tramontina. I haven't given it a real chance because of the weight.
I also have a lighter home-made machete that I made out of an industrial hacksaw blade from the local foundry. The jury is still out on that one.
I like the machete in the woods. I'm not out to take down a tree, just cut up small stuff or clear branches on a trail. I also like my pocket chain saw which is extremely handy for thicker stuff. Beyond that, my power chain saw.
I have a small assortment of axes, hatchets and 'hawks, but unless I'm handsplitting wood, I rarely use them.
Good thread
