Looking for Machete Advice

Lenny

Lenny

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Joined
Oct 15, 1998
Messages
2,500
Hey all.
I know very little about machetes or their many variants.
I need one to carry in or on my Camelback for mountain biking.
Primary use will be to take down vines and trim up to 2" branches from blowdowns.
I don't want to spend a ton on this, maybe $50 give or take.
It shouldn't be too long so it's not too cumbersome on the Camelback.
Sheath is a must.
Are the Woodsman's Pals any good?
There's another South American brand whose name escapes me right now.
I know a lot of people talk about them and they're cheap.
Thanks for your help.
Lenny
 
Imacasa or Condor. Made in El Salvador by people who have to use a machete to live. The simplest ones cost about $20. Fancy machetes are no better and may well not be as good as what you will get from El Salvador. I have a Guatamalan Legitimus which has served first my dad and now me very well for about 40 years. It will still be chopping brush when I am pushing up daisies.

Be advised that Machetes are not like fine knives. The edges will be rough, uneven, and maybe not even as sharp as you like. Machetes were designed to be maintained with a file...not a Japanese Water Stone. Get a file and put a good edge on there an go to town. Don't worry about burrs, don't bother maintaining a consistent angle (so much). Just file an edge on there. We've been doing just that for 40 years and really, you can't hardly tell.
 
I've heard a lot of good things about the ESEE Junglas. Definitely shorter than your basic machete.

John

ETA: sorry, I missed the $50 part!
 
Ontario($15-50)- cold steel ($15-$40)- Imacasa ($10-$25)- esee( $75-$ 80)- tops -($100)
 
If it's mostly vines and branches on blowdowns and it's going on or in your pack, it'll have to be a model with a sheath and probably a 14" blade. I'd suggest the 14" Condor EcoSurvivor or El Salvador. The El Salvador has the same profile but thicker stock, which makes it better for heavier chopping but not as good on light vegetation (though still quite good) and has a leather sheath rather than the nylon of the EcoSurvivor. Both come with a polished convex edge. Another good option would be a Cold Steel kukri machete, but it would come with a pretty crummy rough-ground edge. I hate to self promote, but I do carry an upgraded version of the CS kukri machete with a thinned and polished edge that would do nicely for that application.
 
chiral.grolim said:
What about that new Mora #333 ultra-light machete with a leather sheath ? High quality (net $60), stainless steel, reputable manufacturer and dealer... too short?
Click to expand...

It would do great but all the sheaths already sold and JRE Industries is getting their leather sewing machine repaired right now. :D

I actually was using my personal one yesterday to help my grandfather split wood with his hydraulic splitter. He had tons of super stringy yellow birch and oak that would be held together with fibers after the wedge went through it and the #333 worked better than his hatchet for snicking right through the strands to separate the halves.

I agree that Tramontina machetes are excellent, but unless you manage to find a sheath for them (like from Machete Specialists) it won't fit the role the OP described of attaching it to or carrying it in his pack. ;)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
If it's mostly vines and branches on blowdowns and it's going on or in your pack, it'll have to be a model with a sheath and probably a 14" blade. I'd suggest the 14" Condor EcoSurvivor or El Salvador. The El Salvador has the same profile but thicker stock, which makes it better for heavier chopping but not as good on light vegetation (though still quite good) and has a leather sheath rather than the nylon of the EcoSurvivor. Both come with a polished convex edge. Another good option would be a Cold Steel kukri machete, but it would come with a pretty crummy rough-ground edge. I hate to self promote, but I do carry an upgraded version of the CS kukri machete with a thinned and polished edge that would do nicely for that application.
Click to expand...

I'll second this excellent advice.
 
I will point out that chiral.grolem's suggestion for the Mora #333 is an excellent one--it would have been my #1 recommendation if I actually still had sheaths in stock. It's like it was MADE to go on a pack and it eats vines and branches for breakfast. I hope to have more sheaths in soon but since they're custom made and the maker is having machine problems I'm just not sure when they'll be back in.
 
Alot of people like the CS kukri machete but I prefer the CS Magnum Kukri machete. It has more reach which makes it a better all arounder. YMMV

Unklfranco
 
Less packable though. I like a 20" machete, myself, but I don't think it carries so well in a backpack! :D A good machete, though. I'm fond of it as well, for a kukri machete--in general I find other blade styles more handy for my specific purposes but they're the ideal choice for many.
 
HAH i got one of the Mora #333 sheaths, can't have mine!! I would also suggest maybe take a look at the condor golok, not too big.
 
The Tramontonas are nice and IMO very serviceable. With that being said you've got 50 bucks to blow and a Tram only cost 10 so if I were you I'd go the extra mile and purchase something really noce and fun like a Condor of some sort. I'm quite partial to the Golok, however they aren't the best when it comes to hacking grass and light foliage you'd probably be best served by the Eco survivor seeing as it has a thinner profile. What I like about the Eco survivor is the thickness of the blade. It isn't to skimpy nor is it too thick and in a pinch can chop with autoroty. I for one never have been impressed by Cold Steels machetes seeing as I feel that the 1055 steel is IMO on the softer side and while it is very tough tends to loose it's sting after longer useage. I've tried Ontario's as well and found them to be to thick and heavy for my taste and while they aren't my style the 1095 has very good edge retention for a machete.
 
Another plus of the EcoSurvivor (and the El Salvador) is the ergonomics of the handle. VERY comfortable and usable in a wide variety of grips.
 
Ontario Std "Issue"... About $20-25 decent steel, functional, lasts forever. I have one I have used for 15 yrs... my Dad is on his second in about 60yrs.
 
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