Jungle Chopper

R

Raymond1000

Joined
Oct 8, 2006
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I hope you will forgive a dumb question. I read somewhere that Jeff said a 10” chopper was a better tool for a traveler in the Amazon rain forest than a machete. I hope I’m remembering that correctly, it was a while ago.

At the time I read stuff on this Rat sub forum. I looked at the Rat site. I read Jeff’s book on safe traveling. I could not find what Jeff actually said, or his reasons for saying it. This was back in the days when Ontario was producing the Rat line, which included the 10” RATAK, but nothing longer. So it seemed that Rat knives was practicing what Jeff preached.

I’m still curious. Since the machete seems to be the universal tool down there, why does Jeff recommend something shorter? If he actually does.
 
Actually, I seen a post in the machete forums I think that stated the folks at RAT prefered Condor Latin machetes. I think the El Salvador model. I dont think Jeff really likes large blades as he thinks they are overpriced. I could be wrong and he will likely clear this up with a post.
 
milani74 said:
Actually, I seen a post in the machete forums I think that stated the folks at RAT prefered Condor Latin machetes. I think the El Salvador model. I dont think Jeff really likes large blades as he thinks they are overpriced. I could be wrong and he will likely clear this up with a post.
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That's how I remember it!:cool:
 
I had this POS Chinese golok for years ( I just can't throw anything with an edge away.)
Anyway at a mate's place the other week I cut the last 5inches or so off ran it over his radius master to convex the edge a bit and tidy up the handle. Still want to put a lanyard tube in. I have the theory of turning the filling the bottom of the sheath with some survival supplies and folding it up behind it's self securing it with a press stud or some thing.
But it is damm handy not the sort of thing for clearing miles of walking trail but a short handy chopper mated with my Izula. A pretty good combo. If it proves it's self I might have to forge another the same size out of some leaf spring I have.
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Carl
 
If memory serves me Jeff has stated that the machete is the king of the jungle and nothing out preforms your average plain and simple machete for the money.

Also if I remember correctly one of the reasons RAT has never made a machete is because there is no way they could produce one that at a price point that could compete with some of the companies that do produce great machetes like Tramontina.

As far as larger chopper vs. machete in the jungle goes a machete is a more effective chopping tool that say a 10" bladed chopper reason being blade thickness. A machete blade is thinner and will chop through foliage easier and will not bind up in softer woods like those found in the jungle. Also think about the weight of a machete and think about the weight of a large chopper the machete will be lighter and there for you will expend less energy and get less fatigued swinging a machete for hours clearing. Vice-versa a large chopper is more effective in for woods found in areas in North American as they are harder and the extra blade weight aids in providing the extra umph needed to chop through it and won't bind as much in harder woods.

But hopefully Jeff will come along and so we can get if straight from the horses mouth instead of conjectures and our memories.
 
Bare Rib said:
If memory serves me Jeff has stated that the machete is the king of the jungle and nothing out preforms your average plain and simple machete for the money.

Also if I remember correctly one of the reasons RAT has never made a machete is because there is no way they could produce one that at a price point that could compete with some of the companies that do produce great machetes like Tramontina.

As far as larger chopper vs. machete in the jungle goes a machete is a more effective chopping tool that say a 10" bladed chopper reason being blade thickness. A machete blade is thinner and will chop through foliage easier and will not bind up in softer woods like those found in the jungle. Also think about the weight of a machete and think about the weight of a large chopper the machete will be lighter and there for you will expend less energy and get less fatigued swinging a machete for hours clearing. Vice-versa a large chopper is more effective in for woods found in areas in North American as they are harder and the extra blade weight aids in providing the extra umph needed to chop through it and won't bind as much in harder woods.

But hopefully Jeff will come along and so we can get if straight from the horses mouth instead of conjectures and our memories.
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That was my understanding, too. That’s why I was puzzled by Jeff’s statement. Or what I understood Jeff to be saying. But the only rain forest I’ve ever been in is the Olympics in Washington State. Not the same environment at all.
 
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To be flat honest, even in Alabama where I live a machete is still my favorite survival knife.
 
So what is the best commercially available machetes you can get on the web?? I need one for thick sticker bushes in my AO.
 
Oh well, since were on the topic of machetes, and Rat responded to me a while back that they had no intention of making one, here is Christof's (Koyote's) version of the leuku/machete. A 10" blade and 1/8" thick, it is a nice chopper that still has the reach and flex for the springy stuff. He calls it his traditional leuku!

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That koyote pairs very nicely with the RC-3!

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I picked up a BK&T patrol machete(under $100),wow that thing chops/slices great..... I have a Tram,personally I do not care for it....there is a reason there so cheap...you have to work them over before use...I have a butter knife that will cut better than the Tramotina...the edge is blunt...I have a pair I received from a buddy and both with leather sheaths but both are dull as all get out & both are new.
 
panzertroop said:
So what is the best commercially available machetes you can get on the web?? I need one for thick sticker bushes in my AO.
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My #1 favorite manufacturer is Condor. Lots of patterns, fantastic materials, great sheaths, great warranty (though I've never heard of anyone having to use it.)

I own 3 by them and will probably will end up with more once they release some of the pieces they have in the works. :)
 
I like to 'defend ' myself against black berry briars with a long. $3 Tramontina/Imacasa/Coronet/Condor?whatever machete. Third world daily life hinges on the inexpensuve machete. They build a house, clear forests, catch food, build a boat...everything. I keep a few around.
 
Can anyone tell me why Condor puts the holes in their blades?? Function? Or just a distinguishing characteristic? I was just curious...
 
I haven't tried the Condor stuff, looking forward to their 1095 line.

I've been using Ontario 12"ers for a long time, they work well for me.

I have a Tramontina 14" bolo machete that I love. Tony is 100% correct, you need to rework the edges before use but once you do, the thin stock does wonders on brush and soft woods.
 
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