Looking for Good Machetes

W

Wolfeye

Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
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Hey, everyone. I still want a khukuri, but I'm wondering about some good machetes that weigh less that 2 pounds (maybe 2 pounds maximum- I want something I can swing throughout the day & not get tired). Hoping for one that doesn't cost $50 like a Bidor Parang at machetespecalist.com (which is exactly what I'd buy if it wasn't so expensive).
 
Look at Cold Steel and Marbles. Both make good, light weight but strong machetes.
Rich
 
Ontario milspec. Their 1095 steel and heat treat is worlds better than most machete steel.
 
If you wanna go real cheap (under $20), Tramontina and Imacasa have a great selection. Condor is another option but a bit pricier but they have a great selection of styles. Ontario and Cold Steel are 2 other options (btw my go to machete is my mil spec GI machete from Ontario).
 
If you're looking for quality on a budget then Imacasa or Tramontina are hard to beat. Cold Steel has softer machetes than those two, but still in the acceptable range, and offers some unusual styles that no one else does.
 
My $10 Tramontina machete (and the sheath I made for it) was good enough for contractors to steal last year. And good enough that I replaced it when smoke finally stopped coming out of my ears.

They work great.
 
Tramontina for sure... For a machete you really can't beat it considering the price, steel, and quality...
 
I have a Cold Steel "kukri" machete... somewhere. I was looking for it yesterday to attack some overgrowth in the back yard and couldn't find it. Hopefully it didn't get lost on the last camping trip but if so, I'll be checking out the Ontario.

FWIW, the price point for the Cold Steel Kukri machete is pretty good and the damn thing is pretty hard to mess up.
 
I own them all and used them all in the swamps down here. For the money tram and imacasa can not be beaten. If ya want more expensive so be it. Wont do anything better though in my experience...except look better in fit and finish. I like the other brands and use them but tram and imacasa will keep up with all the others and surpass many.
 
All good ideas, guys- keep 'em coming!

Leaning toward an Imacasa, surprisingly. Thought it would be a Tram, but I like those Imacasa designs. Seriously. between Tramontina & Imacasa- which is more rugged? Also, which is more comfortable to use? I'm looking for a handle I don't have to do much of anything to so I don't get blisters. I figure that Ontario sheath that Amazon suggests would fit well for both of those?

Luckily, those blades ARE cheap enough in price that I can try out different ones! I'm damn-near never able to do that!
 
Wolfeye said:
Also, which is more comfortable to use? I'm looking for a handle I don't have to do much of anything to so I don't get blisters.
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Comfort+.... my favorite is the Condor El Salvador which includes an excellent leather sheath in either wood handle or plastic. I have the wood handle and want no other. No sanding or fitting required. I believe the plastic handle is the same as the Kumunga knife and it is comfortable. The Kumunga is not a bad short machete/big knife. I wouldn't want to clear a field with it however. Pay the extra money. You won't be sorry and won't be looking for a replacement in 3 months.

I like machetes.... I have to admit that I am enjoying playing with my Kumunga knife (10" blade). But I recommend the El Salvador machete if you want a fast semi-rigid machete that is comfortable to use. Keep in mind that the rigidity is chosen based on the chopping you intend to do. But for an all around machete... Condor El Salvador.
 
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A tram is going to cost you 20 minutes with some sandpaper, so if you want out of the box performance, you'll have to go somewhere else. But I think its a fair price given what you get.
 
Wolfeye said:
Hey, everyone. I still want a khukuri, but I'm wondering about some good machetes that weigh less that 2 pounds (maybe 2 pounds maximum- I want something I can swing throughout the day & not get tired). Hoping for one that doesn't cost $50 like a Bidor Parang at machetespecalist.com (which is exactly what I'd buy if it wasn't so expensive).
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What do you intend to do with your machete?

These are purpose made tools made for people who use them daily for a wide variety of tasks, which is why they are available in so many shapes and sizes. If you are new to machetes I would suggest going with a relatively short one, like the 14" Tram bolo. For backpacking and casual camp use, a 10" blade is very useful, light and easy to pack. The longer ones are very efficient but also very dangerous to both the user and bystanders. The arc of swing is huge and the long springy blades can easily bounce back and do serious injury. Both Tramontina and Imacasa (who also makes Condor) are excellent and inexpensive choices.

Whichever you choose, you should expect to have to sharpen the final edge and shape the handle, sandpaper and a bastard file will make this very quick and simple to do. In use, these tools come into frequent contact with rocks and other hard materials. They are designed to be tough rather than brittle and hard so so the file is the easiest way to periodically remove the burls and restore the edge.

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