Junglas or Lite Machete, which one for my area

C

Cutwater

Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
40
Well I tried to make the title as descriptive as possible...anyways, I live in North Georgia and I've made up my mind that I'd be better off with a larger blade in my pack. I've flirted on and off with Hatchets and Axes, but recently I've been looking at Machetes.

I was thinking I'd pick up the Lite Machete, but now I got this itch for the Junglas. They both look great and from what I've seen so far they are more than up to the any task I could give them. My question is which one would be better for me, being in north Georgia? Is it safe to assume that the further I am from the tropical climate, the less length I need in the machete, because then I guess I'd go for the Junglas.

Thanks for any and all input, I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say! And sorry for the generic "x vs. y" I tried searching the forum but couldn't really find my answer.
 
I prefer the Junglas. I was surprised at how big the Junglas was when I actually put my hands on it when it came in the mail. Photos on the internet of the Junglas are deceiving. It's a BIG knife. I thought my RC-5 was a big knife, until this thing came.
While I dont own an ESEE Lite Machete, I've used many similarly designed machetes. They're awesome at what they were designed to do. And I'd still love to have one. But if I had to pick only one for my uses, the Junglas will better serve me (more chopping/batoning). I also like that the Junglas fits perfectly on the side of my pack. Also, the Junglas to me is more handy and weildable.
 
you really could not go wrong with either Blade... the lite machete I can see used on soft vegetation and wood and for hard wood the junglas....
I personally would opt for what suites your needs the best.
I love both blades... I used the lite & junglas both in Texas.... the lite machete is just that. Light in weight and fast in hand...the Junglas is a tad more hefty which bodes great for chopping. right tool for the job will help you decide that factor.
 
Old Jeff-ro isn’t too far from you in Alabama and he seems to think the machete prevails over all. I’m no machete expert yet but Dizwolf is in NY I think and he has been impressed with the performance of his Lite Machete, mine is seeing more use all the time and I’m looking at some other machetes in different sizes for different applications. I wouldn’t feel too bad about trying a regular old Condor or Imacasa machete to see if you like it at all then get the Lite for those fancy shmancy micarta scales. Hard to believe as big of a machete guy as Jeff is that it took this long for such a cool product.

I won't lie though, I’m jonesing for a Junglas juuuuust a little bit.
 
We're about the same Latitude and used correctly a machete is all you will ever need, but the Junglas is just cool!
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=737763&highlight=trail

Junglas Specs:• Overall length: 16.5 inches
• Overall Handle Length: 5.88 inches
• Overall Handle Thickness: .88”
• Blade Max Thickness: .188”
• Weight Without Sheath: 22.5 ounces
• High Sabre Blade Grind
• Hammer Pommel
• Canvas Micarta Handles (Removable)
• 1095 Steel Blade – Black Powder Coated
• Made In The USA By ESEE Knives / Rowen Manufacturing
• Ambidextrous Kydex Sheath with Cordura MOLLE Back


Lite Machete Specs
Specs:

O.A Length: 23.5"
O.A. Handle Length: 6.0"
O.A Handle Thickness: .88"
Blade Thickness:.065"
Weight: 17 Ounces (Knife Only)
Convexed Edge
Natural Micarta Handles (Removable)
1075 Blade Steel
Blade Made In El Salvador - Handle Made In The USA
 
Thanks for all the responses, I just put in the order for the Lite Machete! I really liked lookin at those pictures and hearing how everything went on your hike, TTD. For now though the Machete will make do, as the Junglas is now on the short list, just cause it looks so freakin' cool. Thanks again!
 
I too am in north Ga. After talking here and on some other bushcraft forums I just bought a 14 inch Tramontina bolo and a 12 inch bush machete. Both with shipping for 21.00! :)

Im psyched! Thanks for your advice Jeff!
 
R.A.T. said:
We're about the same Latitude and used correctly a machete is all you will ever need, but the Junglas is just cool!
Click to expand...

Why, yes, yes it is :p

As for area, I have a need for both where I live. Hardwood I prefer the Junglas. On the lighter vegetation I use a machete. (Not the lite machete.. yet)
 
Photos of Junglas vs. Lite Machete:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=743111

The most recent thread that hijacked itself into a "machete vs. everything else" :
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=743272



I'm a northwoods axe kid. I love me some wetterlings. I've mostly poo-poo'd machetes my entire life unless I was hiking through thornbush infested areas. But I never really had a proper machete, and I never used it properly. I spent a good bit of time with a Condor and my RC6 throughout this past winter. Yea. Winter in NY with a machete. I was impressed. For almost all camp duties, the machete was faster and easier to use. Now, If I'm going to trim and split an entire tree apart, I'm grabbing my axes, mauls, and splitters. But hiking or building a fast campfire... the machete and my large blades have taken over that duty.
 
Cutwater said:
Thanks for all the responses, I just put in the order for the Lite Machete! I really liked lookin at those pictures and hearing how everything went on your hike, TTD. For now though the Machete will make do, as the Junglas is now on the short list, just cause it looks so freakin' cool. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Wisely chosen. ;):thumbup:

The Junglas is more of a "I want it because it's just awesome" kind of knife to me. And yes--it IS awesome. But the Lite is kind of a machete from heaven, and it'll do EVERYTHING you want it to. Trust me--it'll baton just fine. I've literally split a tree trunk in half with a machete before just to see if I could. :p
 
Dizwolf said:
Photos of Junglas vs. Lite Machete:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=743111

The most recent thread that hijacked itself into a "machete vs. everything else" :
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=743272



I'm a northwoods axe kid. I love me some wetterlings. I've mostly poo-poo'd machetes my entire life unless I was hiking through thornbush infested areas. But I never really had a proper machete, and I never used it properly. I spent a good bit of time with a Condor and my RC6 throughout this past winter. Yea. Winter in NY with a machete. I was impressed. For almost all camp duties, the machete was faster and easier to use. Now, If I'm going to trim and split an entire tree apart, I'm grabbing my axes, mauls, and splitters. But hiking or building a fast campfire... the machete and my large blades have taken over that duty.
Click to expand...

This is EXACTLY what I've been trying to tell folks for the past few years! :D

An axe is only a big advantage when doing a lot of dedicated felling and splitting. And a machete will do both of those tasks handily enough if need be.
 
you'll love the lite machete. after running the junglas side by side with the lite machete against 2-3" branches and a 5" diameter tree trunk i'm a machete convert...let's just say the lite machete made the junglas look like an izula on the chopping contest :eek:

i still love the junglas though since it's a beast. esee won't warranty the lite machete if i use it to baton through wood so the junglas is still my favorite.
 
There is a lite machete on my way too. After using a friends CS Latin i was sold :)

After using a RTAK-2 i'd say i dont REALY need it when there is a machete at hand. Its just a fun to use beast of a knife. Most of the time a machete is too long for me too cary around. The RTAK is easier to cary in a normal backpack and makes short work of thick logs.
 
nice choice on the lite machete...mines sitting in the post office...too bad i work too far away to get to my post office before 4...maybe i can sneak off a bit early.
 
I would go with the Junglas. North Georgia has some really thick pine thickest.
 
mcjhrobinson said:
nice choice on the lite machete...mines sitting in the post office...too bad i work too far away to get to my post office before 4...maybe i can sneak off a bit early.
Click to expand...
Maybe the guy at the office found your machete and is out and about trying it :p
 
mcjhrobinson said:
nice choice on the lite machete...mines sitting in the post office...too bad i work too far away to get to my post office before 4...maybe i can sneak off a bit early.
Click to expand...

Call 'em up and see if they can figure out a drop off.
 
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