Is the Machete getting more popular?

matthewdanger said:
I used to think they were predominantly for more temperate climates and that northern winters and hardwoods would make short work of most machetes. However, I have found that to be untrue. Machetes have done quite well for me in all seasons. A good sharp machete is certainly capable of easily handling most fire/shelter building chores even with cold hard wood if you stick to mostly 2-3" diameter wood. I have been wholly impressed with the versatile of a good machete.

One thing that does bother me is the lack of quality sheaths though I suppose I could start making my own.
Click to expand...

This is what I've been trying to tell people for some time now. I live in Maine for goodness' sake, and I can use a machete for all of my woods work unless I plan on going out and felling multiple trees or splitting up a lot of wood.
You can even get through 5"+ thick trees if you have to, though of course that's not its forte. ;)

dawsonbob said:
Condor. That's the only thing that needs to be said. They have good sheaths.
Click to expand...
True again! Though I have seen some pretty spectacular custom leather and kydex sheaths--often times costing several times what the machete did, but hey--it's handy enough it deserves some cool digs! :p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
This is what I've been trying to tell people for some time now. I live in Maine for goodness' sake, and I can use a machete for all of my woods work unless I plan on going out and felling multiple trees or splitting up a lot of wood.
You can even get through 5"+ thick trees if you have to, though of course that's not its forte. ;)

True again! Though I have seen some pretty spectacular custom leather and kydex sheaths--often times costing several times what the machete did, but hey--it's handy enough it deserves some cool digs! :p
Click to expand...

No question: we have some pretty good sheath makers here on the forum. It's just that Condor has some pretty good factory sheaths, unlike some other machete makers.
 
I used my ontario 18" to clear shooting lanes for the upcoming hunting season, between that and a good knife I'm set in the woods, in two wacks I took down a tree the size of my forearm.........
 
i reckon the economic down turn has a lot to do with machetes increasing in popularity. they`re a very useful and versatile tool while still being cheap. hell i know i can`t afford busses or expensive blades anymore
 
Machete's have always been popular in the real world.
The US of Disney just thought they had a better way.:D
Like many other things. They were wrong.;)
 
dawsonbob said:
No question: we have some pretty good sheath makers here on the forum. It's just that Condor has some pretty good factory sheaths, unlike some other machete makers.
Click to expand...
Oh, for sure! I especially love the way that they swivel! A really great design feature.:thumbup:

zombie_killer said:
i reckon the economic down turn has a lot to do with machetes increasing in popularity. they`re a very useful and versatile tool while still being cheap. hell i know i can`t afford busses or expensive blades anymore
Click to expand...

And they're great for....ZOMBIE KILLING!:eek: :D
 
I've always had 2 or 3 machetes kicking around but never used them much until this past summer.
Used a modded Tramontina to chop up a ton of spruce boughs from two large spruce trees i had to cut down in my parents backyard.
Worked great for that! Light weight made it less fatiguing than using a hatchet.
Machetes are appealing in the same way as Moras, high-quality/utility low-cost tools.
Because they are inexpensive you can really beat on them and you do not have to baby them.
Hmmm i just realised i have 13 right now with three more coming to me in the mail!
Current collection
4 Tramontinas (three 18 inchers and one 18" modded to 13 inches), 2 Ontario's (22" and 12"), 4 CS (Magnum Kukhri, 12" and 18" Barong,12" Bowie), 2 Diamond Brand (both 18"), 1 Bolo which may be an old Tram.
Oh yeah i have a Martindale Golok which is sort of a machete, the most expensive machete i have purchased.
(The Tram i used this summer was modded to match the Martindale shape).

The 3 i have in transit are another CS and 2 Marbles.
I think maybe i should stop now,lol!
 
tholiver said:
I've always had 2 or 3 machetes kicking around but never used them much until this past summer.
Used a modded Tramontina to chop up a ton of spruce boughs from two large spruce trees i had to cut down in my parents backyard.
Worked great for that! Light weight made it less fatiguing than using a hatchet.
Machetes are appealing in the same way as Moras, high-quality/utility low-cost tools.
Because they are inexpensive you can really beat on them and you do not have to baby them.
Hmmm i just realised i have 13 right now with three more coming to me in the mail!
Current collection
4 Tramontinas (three 18 inchers and one 18" modded to 13 inches), 2 Ontario's (22" and 12"), 4 CS (Magnum Kukhri, 12" and 18" Barong,12" Bowie), 2 Diamond Brand (both 18"), 1 Bolo which may be an old Tram.
Oh yeah i have a Martindale Golok which is sort of a machete, the most expensive machete i have purchased.
(The Tram i used this summer was modded to match the Martindale shape).

The 3 i have in transit are another CS and 2 Marbles.
I think maybe i should stop now,lol!
Click to expand...

Well don't stop now; you didn't list a single Condor among your treasures.
 
Although the Marble's pieces are at least made by Condor's parent company, Imacasa. :) But yes! Get Condors! Lots of Condors! :D
 
It may just be old age and dementia setting in. I don't know. Don't really care. For some unexplained reason I am attracted to this Kuna Indian machete sheath from Panama. Well I had to get the machete to get the sheath. Besides, I didn't have a 16" one. Got it at that internet site that sells everything under the sun. The machete was like new. It still had the clear coat on it and original not quite finished rough grind. It is a Gavilan from Columbia.
Galivan001.jpg

Galivan002.jpg

Galivan003.jpg

Galivan004.jpg

I sharpened it, and took it out back for a little testing and fun.
Galivan006.jpg

It chops palmettos like they were celery. I could tell when sharpening it that the steel was good. It took a sharp edge.
Galivan010.jpg

Galivan012.jpg

It chops well, too.
Galivan016.jpg

Galivan018.jpg
 
I don't seem them as much in MD/PA/DE. I have an old Disston German made machete, and an el cheapo Harbor Freight imported model. Came with barely an edge. I would like to pick up a Tramontina. They are very prevalent in South America, and the southern United States. I have friends and family on Marylands eastern shore that like to use them. I use my Disston sometimes, but generally just use a pair of hedge clippers and hatchet if I need to make a trail at home.
 
Got a Tram bolo about a year ago, spent AU$18.00 + an hour or so hand convexing and polishing the blade. Took it up to the GF's farm in country Boonah Queensland. Hardwoods everywhere, worked like a treat and not a single ding in the edge. Trams are 1075 if anyone was wondering.

If you have any kind of skill making things and the inclination, they can look quite presentable and shame a lot of high $ blades. Still I keep my Fallkniven Northern Light to hand too ;)
 
Judging by the number of models availabe today, I think they are growing in popularity. They are cheap and can handle a wide variety of tasks. I have a dozen or so, and will probably buy some more...
 
i own;
2 cold steel heavy machetes
2 cold steel 18" bowie machetes
2 cold steel 18" spear point machetes
4 cold steel 18" latin machetes
2 cold steel panga machetes
one cold steel bolo machete
2 18" cold steel sax machetes
2 cold steel magnum kukri machetes
2 cold steel kukri machetes
4 12" blade diamond brand goloks
2 diamond brand bolos
one tramontina machete (dunno the blade size , think its 10")
 
Last edited:
FortyTwoBlades said:
Although the Marble's pieces are at least made by Condor's parent company, Imacasa. :) But yes! Get Condors! Lots of Condors! :D
Click to expand...
Got the two Marbles (Condor/Imacasa rebrands) today, very impressive!
They are actually out-of-the-box hair-shaving sharp!
Never had a machete come to me this sharp before!
Even the swedge on the Bolo will shave hair!
Totally cool!
I will be buying some more Imcasas and/or Condors soon for sure!
 
Last edited:
I just had a long box arrive at my office. Inside were a Condor 18" Hog Sticker, a Condor Combat Machete, and a 12" Tramontina. :thumbup::D

Of the three, the Smatchet... I mean "Combat Machete" seems to be the real winner. That thing is beefy! As others have mentioned, it's basically a Gladius. Oh yes, I like it. I think this may become my "trunk knife"- replacing the Ka-Bar Kukri I have in there now. The Hog Sticker is very thin, light and pointy. It's very fast in the hand, and should be pure murder vs. kudzu and other light stuff. There is a lot of kudzu around here, and I take great delight in beating it back whenever I get the chance. The quality on both of the Condors is what I have come to expect- excellent. The sheaths are nice too. I'm a little concerned about how pointy the tip of the Hog Sticker sheath is- time will tell how well it holds up. I don't expect to be carrying it around much anyway- I think it will be my dedicated anti-kudzu blade.

The Tramontina is what I expected- it's a Tramontina. The edge is awful, of course. The grind is totally lopsided, and sort of peters out on both sides as it nears the tip, so the tip is the full blade thickness- the entire affair is dull as a hammer. But it seems solid, and I got it specifically because I intended to mod it. The wooden handle is actually nicer and better finished than I expected, I won't have to do much there. The blade will be meeting a belt-sander sometime soon.
 
DSC00170.jpg


I reached a new low last point while skinning...or high in my case :P
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top