Looking for a new machete

In the New England region I personally like a 20-24" blade, and would recommend at least an 18". Shorter ones are okay if you really need to save on space and plan on using it mostly for lighter targets, but for serious work the extra length both gives you extra striking power for the heavier stuff, and generates extra tip speed for the light stuff while keeping your knuckles clear of thorny plants.

Just my preferences and thoughts on the matter though, so feel free to disagree. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
In the New England region I personally like a 20-24" blade, and would recommend at least an 18". Shorter ones are okay if you really need to save on space and plan on using it mostly for lighter targets, but for serious work the extra length both gives you extra striking power for the heavier stuff, and generates extra tip speed for the light stuff while keeping your knuckles clear of thorny plants.

Just my preferences and thoughts on the matter though, so feel free to disagree. :)
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I have to agree here.
I currently have 2 of the 14" Ontario's and I want an 18" badly..plus you can get that cool sheath with the 18".
 
One of my favorites is my Martindale Golok #2. It is front heavy so is a great chopper, but compact so fits in or on my pack nicely. Just sharpen the edge to your liking and you're good to go. But it is on the shorter side.
 
i have a cold steel 18" latin that i cut down to a 15" golok style and convexed the edge .. so far its the best machete ive had or handled though ive yet to experiance the heavier options from condor and the like...
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
For your uses I recommend the Condor Viking. The sharpened back edge is good for brambles because of the hook-like edge (it prevents woody-stemmed plants from slipping off the edge during the cut) and the 20" blade gives you enough reach to keep you from scraping your knuckles up. The overall weight is nice and low, but the mass is all concentrated at the end so it can take out trees without too much difficulty (for a machete). I use it in circumstances similar to yours and it's been my go-to piece for years now. :)
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I've found that a more pronounced curve works better for catching and holding vines -- my weapon of choice for more precise/delicate blackberry removal is a serrated Spyderhawk, for example. I've also been leery of double-edged blades, but not for any practical reason, and 20 inches is a bit longer than I want. But it looks like Condor has some shorter, very similar models...
 
I have limited experience with machete's and am currently in the market for one. I have been doing some forum browsing/reading lately and need some advice. Being stationed in the Northern US I leaning more towards a heavier machete. However, it seems like many members here are perfectly comfortable with lighter machetes in the woods. Models that I am interested in are the Condor parang/golok, ESEE, Martinale 2, Ontario, and fiddleback.

So my questions to those with experience/knowledge are..

Does the upcoming Fiddleback have a similar thickness to an Ontario model or are they made with more of a lite machete stock?

Does anyone know if Condor is planing on making a smaller Parang?
 
randomlooker said:
I've found that a more pronounced curve works better for catching and holding vines -- my weapon of choice for more precise/delicate blackberry removal is a serrated Spyderhawk, for example. I've also been leery of double-edged blades, but not for any practical reason, and 20 inches is a bit longer than I want. But it looks like Condor has some shorter, very similar models...
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The curve catches brambles quite nicely, you'll find. True, a more pronounced curve would work better for dedicated vine cutting, but the nice thing about the Viking/Swamp Master/Puerto Rican models is how versatile they are. Just clarifying. :)

That being said, since you're looking for a non-double-edged shorter machete, I'll second the suggestion for the Condor Bolo. :cool::thumbup:
 
Bmw4z84 said:
I have limited experience with machete's and am currently in the market for one. I have been doing some forum browsing/reading lately and need some advice. Being stationed in the Northern US I leaning more towards a heavier machete. However, it seems like many members here are perfectly comfortable with lighter machetes in the woods. Models that I am interested in are the Condor parang/golok, ESEE, Martinale 2, Ontario, and fiddleback.

So my questions to those with experience/knowledge are..

Does the upcoming Fiddleback have a similar thickness to an Ontario model or are they made with more of a lite machete stock?

Does anyone know if Condor is planing on making a smaller Parang?
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I have the 16" and 18" Fiddlebacks and they're awesome all-'rounders. Not exactly in heavyweight category though. Remember that heavy patterns need not be thick. If they're broad and thin they'll actually out-chop a narrow thick machete of equal weight and mass distribution. Mass distribution itself also pays a strong role in chopping ability as well. ;)
 
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