Lite Machete Question?

J. Oeser

J. Oeser

Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
4,182
Well, to begin I am a little new to this area of BF. I'm wandering in from the dark side of the Busse forum and need some guidance and opinions. Since I can't seem to find a Machete over there I wanted to ask those of you that have experience with the Lite Machete what you think of it and why it out performs/is better than other Machete's.

I have a few Tramontina's that I bought in Brazil years ago including a nice little shorty, but to be honest they are really cheap and have since rusted into oblivion.

I tried to search and never really found a thread with a review of the Lite Machete so forgive me if my "search-fu" is weak.

Please chime in and teach me a little more about this one since I really want to purchase a machete soon.

Thanks in advance. :thumbup:
 
I don't have one, but I've heard different things. Some people have complained that they didn't come sharp enough for them, but that seems easily remedied. Some have complained about the sheath, but even Jeff (Randall) has said that your machete should either be in your hand or in a tree. (I'm paraphrasing).

I think what makes this machete so special is that it has a Micarta handle and is put together by ESEE.

If you want to read a good review about it go here... http://www.woodsmonkey.com/index.ph...knives-lite-machete&catid=34:knives&Itemid=55

Also, if you want to handle one Blade HQ (in Lehi) has them.

Good luck, Jared... and nice to see you away from those Hogs! ;)
 
Joe Fowler said:
I don't have one, but I've heard different things. Some people have complained that they didn't come sharp enough for them, but that seems easily remedied. Some have complained about the sheath, but even Jeff (Randall) has said that your machete should either be in your hand or in a tree. (I'm paraphrasing).

I think what makes this machete so special is that it has a Micarta handle and is put together by ESEE.

If you want to read a good review about it go here... http://www.woodsmonkey.com/index.ph...knives-lite-machete&catid=34:knives&Itemid=55

Also, if you want to handle one Blade HQ (in Lehi) has them.

Good luck, Jared... and nice to see you away from those Hogs! ;)
Click to expand...


Thanks Joe, that helps. I hadn't even considered the fact that it has micarta handles versus the standard plastic that most have. I'm not too worried about whether it's sharp or not. I have had to learn how to solve that with some of the Busse butter knives I've bought. J/K:p

I will take a look at that review and thanks for the heads up on Blade HQ. I always thought they were a distributor only so I'll check it out.

Yes, it's like walking out of a dark room and realizing there is a world outside . . . :p;):D
 
it's a condor/imacasa blade, with an ESEE handle of canvas micarta. it's a great machete, with a nice convex edge. the edge comes with a clear laquer coating, to protect against rust, i suppose, but underneath, mine was a razor. the black coating on the blade is pretty tough. i've barely rubbed just a bit of it off the flats of the blade. great ergonomics, and the best warranty you'll ever see on a disposable tool like a machete. i've dented my edge a bit on some cured osage orange, but no serious damage, and it'll sharpen right out.
 
ESEE gets them from Imacasa and then adds the micarta handle. Its a great idea. You get a decent machete blade with very usable and durable handle grips. I'm waiting for ESEE to come out with a 12" or 14" one.
 
Ah yes, the warranty as well. I did read on their website a disclaimer saying in essence that somebody buying a machete should know what it is meant for and not abuse it but the warranty is one of the biggest reasons ESEE is on the top of my list. Not many companies that have a warranty like that.

Has anybody had an issue where the warranty was implemented on a Lite Machete?
 
a time or two, there have been complaints that weren't covered, and the product was replaced anyway.
 
oeser,

To be honest with you, you may want to start out buying a cheaper machete and using it first. The only thing that makes our machete any different is the Micarta handles, otherwise a cheaper machete will do everything ours will do.
 
Try a CS Magnum Kukri with the handle wrapped in a layer of rubber electrical tape for 20 bucks for a good chopper. Put it in a plastic Ontario sheath.
For a slasher, try the Condor wooden handled Golok. 20 bucks. Dont wrap the handle for slashing, let it slip a little to save the blisters.
The ESEE is good for both slashing and chopping.
All three are light, durable and comfortable.
 
Because of what R.A.T. just said 2 posts up is the main reason I'm going with the Lite Machete as my first machete blade. HONESTY! Even if it may cost ESEE money at the moment, the company is top notch. Quality products made & sold by a class act. Didnt mean to hijack post but had to put my 2cents in after reading. Welcome to the sunshine Fowler.
 
As others have stated the handles are what makes the Lite Machete.

I have had plenty of other machetes from various makers and price ranges and I hated them all simply because of the handles. Once I learned of the Lite Machete having micarta scales, I snagged one. Best investment I've made.

No more hotspots even after hours of use.
 
I pack the Lite machete everywhere ,I Enjoy the Micarta scales over wood or plastic handles every other machete brand has to offer.... A machete is a machete but to me the Micarta scales make a world of difference.
I own a pair of lite machete and pack one every outting !
my trio consist of a lite machete ,ESEE3 & SAK Hiker or Rucksack .
 
Thank you for all the input, everyone, and thank you R.A.T. for the honesty. RAT Cutlery was the first place I found way back when I was searching for a "survival" knife and now I am remembering why I like them so much. I am a huge fan of micarta and the machete's I have now just aren't what I want. So, a Lite Machete it is. :thumbup:
 
I have a few old Tramontinas/Imacasas/Gavilan machetes around the house and in trunks of all vehicles. Occassionaly I run upon one in the woods rusted bad where I forgot it leaning up against a tree months ago. I haven't found one yet, rust or not, that a short trip to the belt sander for the edge wouldn't put it back into service and cut anything a brand new one would. The only thing I have against these cheaper ones is the plastic handle which suck to work all day with in bare hands. That's why we put the micarta on ours.
 
For an inexpensive version of the Lite Machete (same blade, but an injection molded polypropylene handle) check out the Condor EcoSurvivor.

My ONLY complaint is with the sheath--the only thing that needed to be done in order to make it a fully functioning one with good retention (it wants to slide off the machete as it comes, stock) is extend the length of the sheath by 2". The top of the handle would then fit snugly into the opening of the sheath (much like a CS Bushman or a traditional Scandinavian sheath) and eliminate the biggest problem folks have with it.

A cheap and effective fix that I'd like to see implemented. :)
 
You're definitely paying for the micarta handles. Overall, it is a really nice machete, I'm very happy with mine. With that said, it's a machete.
 
Okay, Lite Machete on order. I am still getting used to things around here. When everyone talked about the Lite Machete being more money I had envisioned a lot more. Keep in mind I just sold a $2100 Busse the other day. $60 for a more comfortable handle and killer warranty seems like a bargain to me. Can't wait to put it to the test. It will be a big change from the big choppers I am used to carrying and still won't replace those but I think a machete or two is a must have.

Thanks again everybody for all the helpful input. :thumbup:
 
I have both the Eco-lite and ESEE lite machete. I like them both but I like the ESEE a lot better cause of the balance. The Eco-lite is a little more blade heavy. After a re contoured the handles on both the ESEE lite machete and Eco-lite they are the best machetes I have ever used. Jeff and Mike hit a home run with the Lite Machete and I thank them very much for it. They have another returning customer while offering products like this.
 
Yeah the ESEE Lite can use just a little bit of a sanding job to knock the corners off the scales, but it only takes about 5 minutes or less with some 400 grit sandpaper and then it's perfect!
 
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