Live Feeling Machetes, Bolos, etc.

SeaxyBeast said:
Thanks for all the great feedback on this. I appreciate everyone sharing their experience.

Think that the Tac Wakis (think Windlass makes an inexpensive one in 1085) are a good option for people who like a wakizashi profile. I've got a waki and I just prefer the feel of single-handed blades. The waki tang can be cut down, but that would mess with the balance.

Looking at the Imacasa/Condor offerings what's the difference in balance, weight, and stiffness between the Bush Cutlass, Guarizama, Caguayano/Colima, Sable, and the Parang? From what I understand the parang is a much heavier blade than the others, but with a good distal taper to keep it agile. Had never noticed the Sable machete before and it looks like a lighter, faster golok. Is it too light for anything but grasses and brambles?
Click to expand...

The sable pattern is a grass and bramble machete only. The Bush Cutlass is basically a sable blade with a cutlass hilt. A guarizama pattern is still mostly for grasses and other lush targets but the wider blade gives it a little more "oomph." A colima style machete becomes a bit closer to a general-use pattern though still mostly intended for lush targets. However, it's able to chop denser woody growth and chops wood about as well as lighter standard "Latin"/bush pattern machetes. The partial back edge can be used for grubbing work where you're chopping roots or other low-lying vegetation where you risk dulling your primary edge, or for rapidly cutting back and forth to quickly clear light targets. The Parang is much heavier and the distal taper is not very strong (at least to date--they may taper it more in future; I don't know) and is better for limbing work like clearing trails and is stiff and thick enough that batoning shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't try to tackle something stupidly large or gnarly.

Just my thoughts. :)
 
Reminds me of Andy's machetes. A very nicely balanced profile. :thumbup:
 
BK&T Patrol Machete if you can find one. They've been out of production since Camillus bit the dust.
 
+1 on the Sable machete if you want a more lively blade. I love my Sable, but keep in mind, it really isn't made for anything other than lush material.
Put a decent edge on it, and it'll cut bottles and stuff with ease all day long though!
In fact, I like it a lot more than my CS Shamshir.
Like 42 said, Any Imacasa with a distal taper should feel pretty balanced and comfortable in the hand, and at the price; they can't be beat.
Everything I say about it would just be re-iterating what 42 and Joe would have to say though.
Those guys are the experts. ;)
 
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