Junglas Machete

Joined
May 7, 2010
Messages
1,066
Hey there guys =)

I've had a long couple months of school, and for the most part have been stuck behind the desk studying, and procrastinating around the ESEE forums.

I finally got out into my backyard at least today, because I have very little work this weekend for once.

I got my junglas.... probably 45 minutes ago as I write this. Just couldn't resist giving it a bit of work before it rests while I hit the books.

First impressions out of the box? Holy. Crap.

There is nothing subtle about this knife. If you need a BIG knife, the Junglas is where it's at. On paper, its 22.5 ounces as just a knife. So since I'm used to handling my IZULA every day... at 2 ounces... thats a helluva lot more knife.

After taking it out of the sheath, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheath itself. ESEE has very nice production kydex work. The knife sits snug, no rattle, but you won't have to yank on the knife with extreme force (unsafe) to get it out. I especially like the adjustable retention screw at the top, so you can lock it in tighter if you desire.

There are so many lashing points on the sheath, I'm really gonna have to think how to set it up to utilize it the best. I don't want to add too much mass to it, but one of my IZULA's would probably be right at home, and the ESEE firekit I just got as well can be put into a kydex loop at some point.

Now the knife itself. I don't have particularly wide hands, but I do have long skinny fingers. So I have plenty of room on the handle, and my fingers wrapped around it perfectly when I first picked it up. The canvas micarta is so damn comfy I can't believe it.

Here it is riding on my belt, at the 4-5oclock position. Even for a heavy knife, I didn't notice any significant "sagging" of my belt or jeans with it on. And I didn't even notice it when I walked around a bit. In my opinion it sits at the perfect height. It will surely make a great camp nice for me =)

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Well even gushing over "how pretty and big it was". Let's have at some wood!

I apologize in advance for the somewhat shoddy quality. I left my camera at my dorm while I was home for the weekend so these are all cellphone pics.

My dad has been meaning to remove this tree for several months now... it was a potential christmas tree when it was first planted, but has subsequently turned into somewhat of a "charlie brown" tree. And we want to add an extension to our covered area to the left of it for more kayaks, so it had to be moved anyways.

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The first few swings surprised me quite a bit. It sailed through the 1-2cm branches like butter. And this next one at about 1 inch thick cut almost clean through. The branch just broke before it could complete the cut.

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Now this next shot is for someone who was considering the fiddleback machete. They were curious how it would bite in comparison to a video they saw of how deep the FM bit into wood.

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Well here you go, I'd say for a coated (junglas) vs a non-coated (FM is only partially I believe) the junglas did VERY well. Even with the added friction of a coating, it still bit nearly 1.5 inches into the tree on the first swing.

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And here, about 10-15 swings later. You can see how well it just eats up this 4 inch tree.

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I had it down in no time at all, and then over the fence into the ravine, back to nature ;)

And after a quick wash to get the sap off, she's back to her beautiful self again :)

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I just have to say a big thanks to ESEE for such a quality product yet again. Everyone says it a lot, but it really is true. You guys make top notch stuff, and you got a couch-potato, video-gaming geek out of the house.

Honestly, these knives and time on this forum have changed my life for the better. Learning all these skills,useful facts and amazing places to go would have never happened if I hadn't stumbled upon bladeforums and ESEE. Nothing has managed to ever melt away my stress or anxiety than just going for a walk in the forest, a hike, or even taking down a tree in my backyard :p. For giving me a new activity to keep my healthy and active, I will be greatful forever.

Also, I nearly got my RP number! Just 1 off, oh well :D

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Now to just explain to my girlfriend what I needed another one :D
 
Thanks for the pix and post! :D

I just "used" my Junglas for the first time at 9800 ft near Bald Mountain, CO. I wanted to practice quicky shelters, and it was a good thing I did. Temps dropped to 0 and it snowed an inch on me last night. I am very impressed with this knife combo. The Junglas makes for an outstanding chopper and made quick work of the limbs and bows I needed for my shelter as well as firewood.

I'll be buying another one.
 
Love my Junglas...

My Junglas is coming with me on a two night kayak/camping trip next week... I'm excited to show the woods who the boss is!

JGON
 
Thanks for the review and pics are great considering its a phone!!!

Now you got me lusting again, we'll maybe someday I can swing one of those badboys..
 
Thanks, that was a very good review. I have been meaning to do a post on the Junglas but have not gotten around to it. I am going to reprofile and convex the edge and then I think it will be a wicked chopper. It is good now, but with a little edge work this thing has some real potential.

The sheath is simply amazing. I never would have thought a knife that big would ride so comfortably on a belt.
 
Thanks guys.

Well, once I've beaten down the coating, it may be a candidate for a full strip, convex and patina.... that would be so nice =)

I did manage to bang up the tip a bit when I got a little excited chopping. Hit a piece of brick laying around, so I'll have to straighten that back out. It it's hair poppin' sharp as all ESEE's have been!
 
Thank you for the dedication to me. :-)
I think I'm going with the Junglas instead of the FM.
I'm pretty sure that once I take it to my belt sander and knock off that shoulder with a convex edge it will be a helluva chopper.
On top of that, I believe that ESEE has the best production sheaths I've ever had, not to mention the warranty which guarantees a you'll have a blade for life.
 
DAMN!!!
That IS a deep bite, considering you didn't hit with the sweet spot of the blade! (no offence intended)
 
DAMN!!!
That IS a deep bite, considering you didn't hit with the sweet spot of the blade! (no offence intended)

Glad I could help =) And yes, you are right I didn't even notice I was bout 3 inches down from the sweet spot. Probably wouldve dug a lot deeper with some better aimed swings, practice makes perfect! :D
 
is the kydex sheath standard with these?


Bladite
 
Yes, but you can also order it without. Depends where you get it from. I wouldn't get it without though, really adds a lot of value to the knife =)
 
Yes, but you can also order it without. Depends where you get it from. I wouldn't get it without though, really adds a lot of value to the knife =)

at an absolute minimum, i'd require the kydex, for pack lashing/etc, though for other reasons, i sometimes like leather pants and sometimes something more like an Eagle Industries sheath.

thanks


Bladite
 
is the kydex sheath standard with these?


Bladite

whoa...bladite is here. for a second there i thought i accidentally posted my pic in the becker picture thread sticky instead of the esee one. that sometimes happens when i see dawson bob's occassional posts here. anyway, ditto what wolffbite said.

...even better, the junglas' sheath fits the bk-9 just fine.

bk9_in_junglas_sheath.jpg
 
whoa...bladite is here. for a second there i thought i accidentally posted my pic in the becker picture thread sticky instead of the esee one. that sometimes happens when i see dawson bob's occassional posts here. anyway, ditto what wolffbite said.

...even better, the junglas' sheath fits the bk-9 just fine.

bk9_in_junglas_sheath.jpg

yeah, i lurk here... been posting more lately ;) i'm down with the RAT/ESEE bunch and spent a LOT of time with Ethan at their booth at Blade 2009 :)

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Bladite
 
yeah, i lurk here... been posting more lately ;) i'm down with the RAT/ESEE bunch and spent a LOT of time with Ethan at their booth at Blade 2009 :)

554036076_gL2jR-XL.jpg



Bladite


i can't blame you for hanging out at esee's booth. looked like ethan was having a lot of fun :D

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