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Kershaw Outcast or Ka-Bar Cutlass Machette?
- Thread starter MikeC
- Start date
The Outcast is quite heavy and the factory edge is very poor - it needs some reprofiling.
The Ka-Bar would be better for brush clearing.
My suggestion is to get a Tramontina machete - they're awsome after some convexing.If you want something prettier get a ESEE lite machete.
For brush clearing the classic machetes are better with their thinner blades
The Ka-Bar would be better for brush clearing.
My suggestion is to get a Tramontina machete - they're awsome after some convexing.If you want something prettier get a ESEE lite machete.
For brush clearing the classic machetes are better with their thinner blades
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- Apr 14, 2006
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The Outcast is quite heavy and the factory edge is very poor - it needs some reprofiling.
The Ka-Bar would be better for brush clearing.
My suggestion is to get a Tramontina machete - they're awsome after some convexing.If you want something prettier get a ESEE lite machete.
For brush clearing the classic machetes are better with their thinner blades
I agree with ZombaiO 110%
The Outcast handle SUCKS for most of the people I know that had one.
and a Machete will be your best bet for Brush Clearing..
i have an Outcast in the truck as part of my GHB. large blade but not sure it's what i'd want for "clearing brush".
Outcast is D2, with Teflon coating. the Ka-Bar is 1095 with powdercoat. i guess either will do the job, it's personal preference.
i have no clue what the Ka-Bar sheath is like. the Outcast sheath is decent, but not great. but then it's not something i'm carrying daily, it's strapped to the pack in the back seat of the truck, and the bag is about to get overhauled and reworked soon.
i know you said "no other suggestions" so this isn't one, but if i were tasked with "clearing brush" i'd use one of my kukris. they definitely have the "snicker snack" for that task. good for jabberwockies too!
Outcast is D2, with Teflon coating. the Ka-Bar is 1095 with powdercoat. i guess either will do the job, it's personal preference.
i have no clue what the Ka-Bar sheath is like. the Outcast sheath is decent, but not great. but then it's not something i'm carrying daily, it's strapped to the pack in the back seat of the truck, and the bag is about to get overhauled and reworked soon.
i know you said "no other suggestions" so this isn't one, but if i were tasked with "clearing brush" i'd use one of my kukris. they definitely have the "snicker snack" for that task. good for jabberwockies too!
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If ya want a Machete then get a Machete, one of these or a Tram !
http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html
http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html
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- Jul 14, 2010
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Get a Condor, they whoop ass in the machete department. I spent the weekend playing with a bunch of Condors and they are good to go, and cheap.
If your heart is set on one of the 2 in the OP, go with the Kabar, its cheap and tough as nails.
Moose
If your heart is set on one of the 2 in the OP, go with the Kabar, its cheap and tough as nails.
Moose
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- Sep 5, 2010
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Somewhere I saw an X-ray of the Outcast, the tang is weak! Under the handle material is a Zytel handle, and then the tang. For that kind of $$$ it should be a real full tang.
I own the Ka-Bar Cutlass, and for $40 it is great. I would like to point out that it is hollow ground. The edge is sharp, but kinda thin. It's not that long, and not really a machete. I do like it, but it lacks the reach of even my Ontario 12" Cutlass machete.
I'd say get the Ka-Bar, not just based on price, but the reviews are all good.
The sheath is nothing to write home about, but it works.
The Ka-Bar is heavier than one might think, the thickness is not ground away, until the hollowed ground edge starts. It will chop, I just wouldn't pry with it.
I own the Ka-Bar Cutlass, and for $40 it is great. I would like to point out that it is hollow ground. The edge is sharp, but kinda thin. It's not that long, and not really a machete. I do like it, but it lacks the reach of even my Ontario 12" Cutlass machete.
I'd say get the Ka-Bar, not just based on price, but the reviews are all good.
The sheath is nothing to write home about, but it works.
The Ka-Bar is heavier than one might think, the thickness is not ground away, until the hollowed ground edge starts. It will chop, I just wouldn't pry with it.
I've smashed the Outcast thru more trees than you've had hot suppers, and the tang has yet to be an issue.
Reprofiled, it is a monster in D2 and excellent for batoning.
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OK, I'm stealing that. I'm laffin' hard at that one, I like it. Back to the regularly scheduled thread.
Moose
As others have said a real machete is what you use for clearing brush, but you're not looking at actual machetes.
The Outcast is D2 vs. the Cutlass's 1095. D2 is harder to sharpen, but stays sharper longer and has proven to be a very tough steel with Kershaw's heat treat. 1095 is super easy to sharpen, but dulls fairly quickly. I actually prefer 1095, but I've been impressed with the Outcast's D2.
The Outcast has a very obtuse grind and I had mine sent off to get reprofiled by Siguy. He said it was a beast to reprofile because of the hardness of the D2. Once it was reprofiled it's been an excellent big blade. I was worried about the handle because it's so thin, but so far so good. No blisters and pretty comfortable. I suspect it'll have to be eventually replaced, and when it does I'll get someone around here to slap on some G10 or maybe burlap micarta slabs. I actually like the kydex sheath, which is the best one I've ever received with a knife of this price. I have kydex that cost almost as much as this knife with the kydex sheath. My sheath rides on the side of my pack, but eventually I'll make a baldric for it. Personally I think the blade is too thick and too short to be very effective as a machete. Camp knife yes, machete not so much.
As was mentioned the Kabar is hollow ground. I've read really good reviews for the Cutlas, so it obviously does well, but I would worry about it's thin edge. Kabar's heat treat of their 1095 is top notch.
They're both tough knives that have proven themselves in the field, but the reality is these are more camp knives than machetes.
The Outcast is D2 vs. the Cutlass's 1095. D2 is harder to sharpen, but stays sharper longer and has proven to be a very tough steel with Kershaw's heat treat. 1095 is super easy to sharpen, but dulls fairly quickly. I actually prefer 1095, but I've been impressed with the Outcast's D2.
The Outcast has a very obtuse grind and I had mine sent off to get reprofiled by Siguy. He said it was a beast to reprofile because of the hardness of the D2. Once it was reprofiled it's been an excellent big blade. I was worried about the handle because it's so thin, but so far so good. No blisters and pretty comfortable. I suspect it'll have to be eventually replaced, and when it does I'll get someone around here to slap on some G10 or maybe burlap micarta slabs. I actually like the kydex sheath, which is the best one I've ever received with a knife of this price. I have kydex that cost almost as much as this knife with the kydex sheath. My sheath rides on the side of my pack, but eventually I'll make a baldric for it. Personally I think the blade is too thick and too short to be very effective as a machete. Camp knife yes, machete not so much.
As was mentioned the Kabar is hollow ground. I've read really good reviews for the Cutlas, so it obviously does well, but I would worry about it's thin edge. Kabar's heat treat of their 1095 is top notch.
They're both tough knives that have proven themselves in the field, but the reality is these are more camp knives than machetes.
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like brians i also have a D2 outcast.
it is an excellent performer and has chopped and batonned more than any other knife i own. once reground and stripped (in my case) it made for an excellent bush knife. the sheath was alot nicer too over the ka-bar.
but what you're doing seems to be trail clearing. and the lighter cutlass would be better.
i didnt recommend something else in my earlier post because you didnt want any but seeing as how everyone else is giving you recommendations i'll throw in my 2 cents.
pick up a condor bolo or go with an ontario machete. they will serve you alot better and will most likely be cheaper than the cutlass.
it is an excellent performer and has chopped and batonned more than any other knife i own. once reground and stripped (in my case) it made for an excellent bush knife. the sheath was alot nicer too over the ka-bar.
but what you're doing seems to be trail clearing. and the lighter cutlass would be better.
i didnt recommend something else in my earlier post because you didnt want any but seeing as how everyone else is giving you recommendations i'll throw in my 2 cents.
pick up a condor bolo or go with an ontario machete. they will serve you alot better and will most likely be cheaper than the cutlass.
I have an Outcast that I got here on BF in a trade. Yes, the edge is poor - only marginally sharper than the spine! I have been meaning to send it off to Richard J for reprofiling but haven't gotten to it yet.
I would think that it is not the best tool for brush-clearing, even with an improved edge.
I would think that it is not the best tool for brush-clearing, even with an improved edge.
Even before some edge work, I could sharpen mine with a Sharpmaker to shaving sharp, and it would last a long time. YMMV, but with a flick of the wrist, it will limb a tree almost effortlessly.
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That's a whole other thread right there.
What are you thinking about? There are so many sizes, shapes, steels, edge profiles, and handles.
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I think you have made the best decision buddy, please update us with pics once you get it !
:thumbup:
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Good choice. Your arms will thank you for it.
Sorry for this late reply but I wanted to contribute my two cents. I own 14 different machete-type blades from all over the world (Brazil, Japan, the Phillipines, Thailand, and USA). Each one is really good at some tasks and not so good at other tasks. I work in conservation and use machetes every time I go in the field (which is 3-4 days a week). One of three machete-type choppers I use is the Kershaw Outcast. It is relatively light and balanced for a chopper but holds its' edge really well. It excels at trail clearing and short-stroke chopping. I can chop all day with little fatigue in my swing arm. The downside is it does not make for chopping requiring big swings, something that an 18" Ontario would be better for.
Now for it's versatility: there are a few knife-and-dog pig hunters here in Hawaii that use the Outcast for chopping trail and killing pigs. It has 10-inches of penetration for fatal wounds and makes it possible to not carry a separate tool for chopping trail.
Good luck on your decision! If you can't decide on a make or model of machete, as finances allow, select a few you like and get one of each!
Now for it's versatility: there are a few knife-and-dog pig hunters here in Hawaii that use the Outcast for chopping trail and killing pigs. It has 10-inches of penetration for fatal wounds and makes it possible to not carry a separate tool for chopping trail.
Good luck on your decision! If you can't decide on a make or model of machete, as finances allow, select a few you like and get one of each!