Looking for a machete...

Masteroffajitas

Masteroffajitas

BANNED
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
2,412
I want a machete that can hold up to, batoning, hacking limbs, brush and grass. I want it to be a carbon blade, like d2, 1095. Price point is $100 and below.

It can NOT be an ontario, gerber, condor, or CS machete. Under 20 inches. Do you know what I might be thinking of?
 
Last edited:
http://www.knivesshipfree.com/Bark-River-Knife-and-Tool-KSF-Machete/c465_583/index.html

Fits all of your criteria except for the price point. It's really the only thing that came to mind.

On the other hand, you didn't exclude Tramontina from your list, but it sounds like you want something a little out of the ordinary for a machete. Tramontina makes several models that fit all of your criteria, but they are very inexpensive and utilitarian. All of them are under $10, but they're excellant blades.
 
Last edited:
Question, why the exclusion of those brands, you take yourself out of the running for quite a few of the go-to machete's.
 
Save yourself a few $ get yourself a Tramontina 14" bolo machete ($5.99)
Thay are carbon steel with a little work they will take a razor edge ! They come in plastic or wood handle, I would take the wood handle because you can sand & shape the handle to fit your paws ;) just my .02
Hard to beat for the $$$$ my next choice would have been the Ontario 12" but you said no Ontario :p
 
I wouldn't pick either D2 or 1095 for a machete. A machete needs to be tough and neither of these is tough unless you run them at a lower hardness that won't take advantage of their high carbon content.

For decades the best machete manufacturer was Collins axe company that used the Legitimus Collins brand. They have no relationship to the Blackie Collins machetes. They closed down their US operations in the mid 1960s. They used a proprietary steel that was something close to 1084 alloy. I like Collins machetes. They would hold an edge better than others and the blades would give a distinctive ring when you tapped them with something hard.

They had several factories in Latin America that also made their products. I have been happy with ones made in Guatemala and Columbia. I think that Nicholson machetes are derived from these. They are real cheap, but sometimes hard to find in the USA. http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103169693

MP12718_100.jpg
 
If you can find a place with more than the same five found on most websites, Martindale has an extensive line of machetes that would work quite well. As stated, most places have the same generic models but they make a staggering variety.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
If you can find a place with more than the same five found on most websites, Martindale has an extensive line of machetes that would work quite well. As stated, most places have the same generic models but they make a staggering variety.
Click to expand...

I thought of Martindale, but I didn't know for certain the carbon content of their wares.

Not sure if they were fit your idea of a machete, but the Valiant Trading Company Survival Goloks are pretty nifty. Maybe shorter and thicker than the average machete, but not so heavy as to be tiresome to use, and not so flimsy that you can't take small limbs and branches off a tree with it.
 
I use a medium Linder. 14 inch I believe, quarter inch thick. Paid under $30. German Stainless. Best machete I have ever had. I keep it hair shaving sharp just in case it's the only thing I end up with in the bush.
 
I think I know what you're looking for...

SPEC Plus Machete

I saw this in the Cabela's catalog a while back and it immediately went on my list. I hate using the longer ones most people have. All that weight-forward messes up my swing. This one looks to be a lot more balanced to me.

What do you think of it?
 
I love my cold steel kukri. I know its on your list of No No's but for the $20 Its tough as nails and I have used it for battoning cutting vines, grass, large and small limbs and it preforms well. It is a little thick for grass but givin putting some time in sharpening the blade it will do it. It will also take a shaving edge and hold it for some time though a good bit of abuse. I know mine has seen its fare share and I cant bust it.
 
Are machetes usually cheap. Because these $5-$40 make me belive they are cheaply made. Are the ones made in South America usually of good quality?
 
I have used a lot of Machetes. I have beat the hell out of the Trams, Ontarios's Cold steels and Merco's. They are all but indestructible. The toughest one I have used is the Cold Steel Bolo. I have chopped wood, cut fence wire, hit concrete and steel cable It's still in great shape. However the Tram is the most tool for the dollar. Sometimes cheap is better. A hundred dollar Machete just doesn't out do the cheap ones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top