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Looking for a good Machete
- Thread starter Rifter
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- Jan 20, 2001
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If you must stay under $20 
then you would want to look at the Ontario (U.S.), Tramontina (Brazil), or Cold Steel (S.Africa). My favorite out of that group is the Ontario Soft Beak Machete. www.eknifeworks.com or www.discountknives.com had them the last time I checked. The grind allows for heavy chopping but the hooked end GREATLY helps with cutting light vegetation.
Out of the $20 range
I would recommend the BK&T Patrol Machete or the Aitor Bolo Machete!
then you would want to look at the Ontario (U.S.), Tramontina (Brazil), or Cold Steel (S.Africa). My favorite out of that group is the Ontario Soft Beak Machete. www.eknifeworks.com or www.discountknives.com had them the last time I checked. The grind allows for heavy chopping but the hooked end GREATLY helps with cutting light vegetation.Out of the $20 range
I would recommend the BK&T Patrol Machete or the Aitor Bolo Machete!
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- Oct 3, 1998
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Another vote for the Becker Patrol Machete! The 0170-6C carbon steel is an aggressive cutting steel while remaining easy to sharpen. The CS machetes are good but I find the handles to be a bit on the slick side when things get heated up. CS is supposed to be coming out with a bolo machete next year and KABAR will add some machetes to their lineup.
Under $20, the Ontario stuff is very good for the price. I also heard the Barteaux ones are supposed to be good as well. Lotsa choices out there.
Under $20, the Ontario stuff is very good for the price. I also heard the Barteaux ones are supposed to be good as well. Lotsa choices out there.
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Rifter,
To get the most info you may want to do a search on "machete" to get the best of all the threads that have already run. The Camillus Forum under Makers/Mfgs has the best info on the Patrol machete since BK&T is now a division of Camillus. Just as a ball park the PM is going to be about $75 but is WELL worth it!
Have fun with the search feature . . . I learned ALOT with it!!
Yes, Dexter, it is possible that I used to be dumber than I am now!
To get the most info you may want to do a search on "machete" to get the best of all the threads that have already run. The Camillus Forum under Makers/Mfgs has the best info on the Patrol machete since BK&T is now a division of Camillus. Just as a ball park the PM is going to be about $75 but is WELL worth it!
Have fun with the search feature . . . I learned ALOT with it!!
Yes, Dexter, it is possible that I used to be dumber than I am now!
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,670
Originally posted by Jason Burns
Yes, Dexter, it is possible that I used to be dumber than I am now!
Um....no comment.
May be check Ebay for an old Collins model, these are mighty fine machetes. There probably the best minus the real high end stuff, an excellent condiation one should cost $20-30. My second choice would be the Barteaux models. 3rd Ontario- they need some handle, and edge workIMHO.
HTH!!!
.HTH
!!!
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Rifter, the Becker Knife & Tool Patrol Machete costs around $70 online and is of remarkable quality for the money.
BK&T is a division of Camillus Cutlery, and as such, information can be found at www.camillusknives.com
Hate to burst your bubble, but if you think you can get a high-quality machete for $20 or less, you're in fantasy land, my recommendation would be to buy the Becker, take care of it, and you'll probably never need another Machete.
BK&T is a division of Camillus Cutlery, and as such, information can be found at www.camillusknives.com
Hate to burst your bubble, but if you think you can get a high-quality machete for $20 or less, you're in fantasy land, my recommendation would be to buy the Becker, take care of it, and you'll probably never need another Machete.
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Lot of good choices above. The high end items are very nice cutters
( wish Ross Aki was still making his and Newt Livesay still makes a nice one.) However, as mentioned, there a lot of choices that come in under $20 that get the job done. I wonder what the average cost of a machete is in places where it is an everyday necessity?
Ground clearing, as I'm sure you know, is very hard on a blade. You might be better served with your original criteria and some of the models, that met it, offered above. Make sure to add a good file to your kit, for up keep.
Regards, Greg
( wish Ross Aki was still making his and Newt Livesay still makes a nice one.) However, as mentioned, there a lot of choices that come in under $20 that get the job done. I wonder what the average cost of a machete is in places where it is an everyday necessity?
Ground clearing, as I'm sure you know, is very hard on a blade. You might be better served with your original criteria and some of the models, that met it, offered above. Make sure to add a good file to your kit, for up keep.
Regards, Greg
whats good, I like CS and was looking at some of theres, is 1055 Carbon Steel a good steel? I will be using it on camping trips to cut underbrush and small branches. So whats good, please keep prices to under $20 US. [/QUOTE]
Yep, 1055 is good. It is a medium-carbon steel and it has a place in large choppers like that. It isn't likely to be hardened to the high HRC50's so, it should be relatively easy to re-sharpen. That will be an important characteristic for a knife that will actually be used outdoors.
The problem with $20.00 choppers is: Their handles fall off eventually.
I think you should save to buy one of the Becker knives. Good steel in them too, and with those knives you can chop your own firewood if you feel like it. If you take care of it, you won't need to buy another chopper again.
Yep, 1055 is good. It is a medium-carbon steel and it has a place in large choppers like that. It isn't likely to be hardened to the high HRC50's so, it should be relatively easy to re-sharpen. That will be an important characteristic for a knife that will actually be used outdoors.
The problem with $20.00 choppers is: Their handles fall off eventually.
I think you should save to buy one of the Becker knives. Good steel in them too, and with those knives you can chop your own firewood if you feel like it. If you take care of it, you won't need to buy another chopper again.
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How many Barteaux have you heard of, with fallen off handles? I have yet to hear of even one.
Not to say that the Becker would not do a great job, but diminishing returns.