Is the Machete getting more popular?

FortyTwoBlades said:
Beautiful job! Sure is a lot of blade for such little coin, huh? :D

Just as a question, what is your geography? I live in Maine, which is known for having a lot of dense forests, and a machete is my go-to chopper here. Works great on grasses, brambles, woody-stemmed plants, wood (soft OR hard) up to 4" diameter, splitting, wood working, food prep, etc. The key is not simply getting a nice machete (though that helps a lot!) but learning how to use one properly.

You may already be very familiar with their usage, so forgive me if I'm being a little overzealous. I just think a lot of people write off machetes for northern environments without taking the time to really try working with one. It takes a different approach than an axe or 'hawk, so a lot of times it can be a little awkward unused to something of that nature. :o
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:thumbup::thumbup:

I think 42B nailed it. I think people have preconceived notions of machetes being only useful in tropical climes, yet once they try one for a little while, whole new worlds open up for them. I can't imagine being without a machete (bolo, in my case).
 
pict said:
I used a 12 inch Ontario to butcher a deer in PA once. The guy I was with looked at me like I was crazy when I brought it out. I took the front legs off with a single cut up through the "arm pit". It's basically a big butcher knife. We had the deer hanging by its head from a tree. When it came time to take off the head he turned and went for the saw. When he turned back around I lopped it off with the machete. "Ching, plop!" He said, "OK, I'm getting a machete." Mac
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Oh c'mon Mac. Everyone knows that machetes are for soft wood like Cocobolo, Madera Negro, Corteza, Guachepelin, Guanacaste,Nispero etc.
They wont handle that good ole Amurkin hardwood.;)
 
Toucan Oasis said:
Oh c'mon Mac. Everyone knows that machetes are for soft wood like Cocobolo, Madera Negro, Corteza, Guachepelin, Guanacaste,Nispero etc.
They wont handle that good ole Amurkin hardwood.;)
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You have never seen "hard" wood until you come to South America. I have furniture in my house that I swear would sink.

The hardest wood I deal with on a regular basis in survival training is Candeia and I will admit it is a bear with a machete. I find it much easier to cut with a folding saw. In my area it is actually hard to find wood soft enough for friction fire. Mac
 
pict said:
You have never seen "hard" wood until you come to South America. I have furniture in my house that I swear would sink.

The hardest wood I deal with on a regular basis in survival training is Candeia and I will admit it is a bear with a machete. I find it much easier to cut with a folding saw. In my area it is actually hard to find wood soft enough for friction fire. Mac
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I believe Lignum Vitae grows in South America, too. That stuff DOES sink, and it burns like coal! :eek:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Just as a question, what is your geography? I live in Maine, which is known for having a lot of dense forests, and a machete is my go-to chopper here. Works great on grasses, brambles, woody-stemmed plants, wood (soft OR hard) up to 4" diameter, splitting, wood working, food prep, etc. The key is not simply getting a nice machete (though that helps a lot!) but learning how to use one properly.

You may already be very familiar with their usage, so forgive me if I'm being a little overzealous. I just think a lot of people write off machetes for northern environments without taking the time to really try working with one. It takes a different approach than an axe or 'hawk, so a lot of times it can be a little awkward unused to something of that nature. :o
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I live in Colorado, and yes, have used them for over a summer to see if they would work. They do work better than most folks think, but I found the performance well below axes and some of my Khukuris. But that's ok, there's room for everyone at the table...

Here's my take on them - I wouldn't feel underknifed with a machete, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
 
Cool beans. Just wanted to make sure you'd given it a shot! :D

Variety is the spice of life, man. Use what works for ya'!:cool::thumbup:
 
Carolina River Rat said:
Just ordered one of these as well.
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That thing is sweet. That's one of the ones on my "short list". 28"- ya, itso beeeeeg.

For some reason, this ugly thing is really calling out to me as well.
yhst-29358752693524_2080_435869
 
Here's the 2nd machete, this one was $2.00 from the swapmeet

92154847.jpg


How the bolo type looks today

bladev.jpg
 
moonwilson said:
That thing is sweet. That's one of the ones on my "short list". 28"- ya, itso beeeeeg.

For some reason, this ugly thing is really calling out to me as well.
yhst-29358752693524_2080_435869
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I've been contemplating one of those, too. Something makes me really want to see how that funky blade chops! Double-edged, too. :D

sweet said:
Here's the 2nd machete, this one was $2.00 from the swapmeet

92154847.jpg


How the bolo type looks today

bladev.jpg
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Nice! The profile looks a lot like a vintage Collins. Does it have a maker's mark?
 
Hey Mac,

Do they have that Ironwood down there that likes to take chunks out of machete blades while green?
 
Joezilla said:
Hey Mac,

Do they have that Ironwood down there that likes to take chunks out of machete blades while green?
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Not where I live and they call it something else here. There is wood in the Amazon that is known to break axes.

I have a war club that you would swear was filled with lead. I should throw it in a tub to see if it floats. Mac
 
Welll....... basically it goes like this.... a bunch of guys I really respect on bladeforums kept talkin about how great Machete's are..... soooooo.... I had ta buy a few to check them out and see why they were so well loved... :)

Now that it is startin to get cold out, after a long warm spell here in NH, I will be hitting the trails with one or two or a dozen to see how they do.....
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I've been contemplating one of those, too. Something makes me really want to see how that funky blade chops! Double-edged, too. :D



Nice! The profile looks a lot like a vintage Collins. Does it have a maker's mark?
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No makers mark on the bolo type, still have no idea who made the marked machete above it either
 
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Put your machetes in a basket, they breed best that way. Machetes will not breed if they are left where the wife can see them. Always keep your machetes in constant movement between shelves and workshops, BOB's and various packs. This prevents an accurate inventory from ever being made. If you buy multiple models of the same machete the casual observer will think they are the same machete. Never, ever, allow all of your machetes to be seen in the same place at the same time. Nothing shuts down the breeding process like that.

Mac
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Cool beans. Just wanted to make sure you'd given it a shot! :D

Variety is the spice of life, man. Use what works for ya'!:cool::thumbup:
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Agreed! And even though I'm not as pro-machete as many of you all, I still enjoy reading and learning about them. I got an Ontario 12 inch after watching Pict's youtube mod demo, and enjoy using that. I put the same mods on, and like them very much!
 
pict said:
img1420zw5.jpg


Put your machetes in a basket, they breed best that way. Machetes will not breed if they are left where the wife can see them. Always keep your machetes in constant movement between shelves and workshops, BOB's and various packs. This prevents an accurate inventory from ever being made. If you buy multiple models of the same machete the casual observer will think they are the same machete. Never, ever, allow all of your machetes to be seen in the same place at the same time. Nothing shuts down the breeding process like that.

Mac
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Drroooooool. :thumbup: I NEED a basket full-o-machetes like that. That is one of the coolest things- evah!
 
moonwilson said:
Drroooooool. :thumbup: I NEED a basket full-o-machetes like that. That is one of the coolest things- evah!
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If you like them in the basket you'll love them in leather pants.

img3334lu2.jpg


One of the perks of living in Brazil is visiting dusty farm co-ops searching for leather sheaths.

Mac
 
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