Machete?!?!?!?1?!

[foxx]

1066vik, In my experience the offerings from Condor, ESEE, and Fiddleback come sharp, I've heard the same from many others. And I mean wicked sharp, hair shaving, almost polished kinda sharp.
Imacasa, Ontario, Tramontina, Marbles, and others, sure they will need an edge. For some this does not matter, others maybe so.

Oh, don't forget Old Hickory has some long butcher knives, US made. I sharpened a 14" up, and it does some yard work, small limb chopping, weed cutting, root digging sort of stuff. 1095 steel, wood handles, and a non-existant edge, but cost is $16 http://www.the-knife-connection.com/rc-50b.html

 

[hawaiianhawk]

I have one of those big Old Hickory butchers. It's my favorite machete, but be prepared to put some serious work into the edge and maybe some into the handle to make it more comfortable/less likely to fly out of your hand. Also they'll chip rather than roll because the steel's harder than a normal 'chete.

 

[econnofoot]

I'd say Ontario if you really want US made, personally I find Central or South American made Machetes are far superior. There is a reason Esee contracts with Condor.

Old Hick(Ontario) actually I think is a better product as well than their regular stuff, not thought of using one as a machete though...but I can see it.

Something I didn't think about actually till just now is a Woodsmans Pal made in US and really nice folks, I bought a factory 2nd as a gift and they even engraved it for me...not used one a lot myself, but seems pretty functional...and made in PA.

 

[Mike Slayer]

ESEE Lite Machete or Condor Eco-lite machete if you want something a little cheaper. Both are some of the best machetes I have used. If you have larger hands like me the ESEE Lite Machete is the way to go for sure.

 

[econnofoot]

If you really want a 'American' Machete look for a Collins&Co Legitimus...and an old one at that...I honestly don't think the ontarios I've handled are US made.....

 

[1066vik]

Hey Vik have any experience with the woodsman's pal? They always looked interesting but never knew anyone who had one, not sure if they are very efficient.

I love mine - the hook on the back is great for dragging stuff clear, like cat's claw vine, though it's not very effecient for cutting.
because of the metal D-guard there are limited grips available, but the leather washer handle has all the traction a person could want.
I've been known to cut through 1.5-2" thick junipers in a single swing if I hit them at the right angle.
the relatively short but extremely wide blade puts a LOT of cutting/hacking performance out there, so if you're in tight brush it works better for me than a more traditional latin pattern machete 4-6" longer.
when I'm in clear space, the longer machete's are more efficient cutters.

since the OP asked about American made machete's, not just machete's sold by American knife companies, I was not counting Imacasa products (which includes condor, ESEE, & Fiddleback machete blades) as ones needing edge work before use, because these are not american made. An old Collins Legitimus would be glorious.

Ontario machetes come from the factory in NY.
Old Hickory is good stuff, too -- a 14" or 16" butcher pattern would make a fine substitute for a bolo style machete, although the handle might need new scales for better grip - the factory ones are pretty slick and straight.

 

[tradewater]

For hardwood the USA made Ontario 12" (with a couple of mods) is hard to beat, for more tropical type stuff the Tramontinas would be my choice. They have such a great "ring" to them.

 

[tradewater]

Old Hickory is good stuff, too -- a 14" or 16" butcher pattern would make a fine substitute for a bolo style machete, although the handle might need new scales for better grip - the factory ones are pretty slick and straight.

I forgot about the OHs. Vik is right on the money, the big butcher knives are incredible choppers.

 

[Bladite]

fiskars/gerber seems to have a good lineup

they have a number of machetes, as well as the very lovely "brush hook" which takes a great convexing, and runs around $22.

they also make a "woodsman pal" clone now, nearly the exact same dealio. sweet. cost more like $35 or so.

another direction, is the Parang they sell. with a decent edge on it (fisked), it's like a honey badger, really tough to beat for $29. i do hear a tramontina? beat it, but it was 6 inches longer, and the parang wasn't convexed yet also, orange. love that orange on the parang.

 

[thatotherguy]

Hey Vik have any experience with the woodsman's pal? They always looked interesting but never knew anyone who had one, not sure if they are very efficient.

They work very well, the blade is balanced like a Khukri, very blade heavy. It will sever a 3" vine with one swing when sharp, and it's not hard at all to keep sharp. I have the wood handle version. I love it.
I vote a Machax.