Machete advice: is bigger better?

:eek: That Condor Viking is an absolute beast, looks awesome.

I received my Tramontina machete today, decided to just get the 18 incher. Pics will come later.;) Actually, I have another question for you machete lovers: I found this youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVHeKNbRXgc) on another forum which has a guy showing how he's modified his machete. What do you all think of this? I personally think it sounds like a great idea to implement all four of these edges onto my Tram, but perhaps some of you disagree?
 
I have both trams from Smokey Mountain, haven't touched them yet-they're projects. My go to machete is a 12 inch Ontario Camp and it is PLENTY long for sailing through any woody materials out here.
 
I am going to try a 12 inch.

I am also going to try a pair of pruning shears tucked in my cargo pocket...I am mainly concerned with dealing with briar patches when me and my dog get tangled up...I'm not so sure I want anyone else swinging a longer machete around me especially if I don't know thier skill level.

Does anyone have experience with getting through briarpatches? I'm not lokig to clear anymore than just get me and my dog through.
 
Check out the Condor Bush Knife. Patterned after a Yorkshire style billhook. Perfect for brambles. I love mine. ;)
 
I may try that with one exception and that is to cover the straight edge. I am concerned with hitting my dog by accident. Usually I just bust through, but I am sick of looking like I tried to give a cat a bath. Last summer was not even funny, scratched to s#it, the old ones wouldn't even heal and I would be back out in the swamp again. I do like your suggestion that may work really well. Thank you.
 
Horn Dog, In your earlier post (pg. 1) w/ the 2 machetes, is the 2nd one a golok, If so is it a Condor (or what type?) Thanks. Dan
 
onado2000 said:
Horn Dog, In your earlier post (pg. 1) w/ the 2 machetes, is the 2nd one a golok, If so is it a Condor (or what type?) Thanks. Dan
Click to expand...

That one is a Valiant survival golok. Here is the Condor. Goloks, machetes, parangs, bolos. They're all machetes to me. :D
golokathon028.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Personally I like the longer models because of the increase in power and reach, and when I'm using a machete it tends to be in my hand more than on my belt. Bigger is better...except when it isn't. :p You have to find what's comfortable for you and most appropriate for your area. :)
Click to expand...

Exactly. :D I mostly use mine for cutting weeds / grasses in the drainage ditches on the edges of my parent's property and find that I prefer a 22 or 24 inch blade so I can cut things close to the ground without having to bend down to make the cut.
 
I have a 12" and a 14" Bolo Tram and my go to is the 12" it is the perfect length for camping and backpacking trips. You do have to do a little modification to them, I had to sand the handle flush and sharpen the last 2" of the tip, then put a good edge on the whole thing. It works great for splitting fire wood also I gave it a serious work out when I went camping with the in-laws in Hot springs NC. I would probably get the 14" but being the are inexpensive why not get both and see which one works for you.

goat
 
Horn Dog, given your experience w/ those goloks, if you were asked which golok was better, which would you chose? Im looking to buy a golok (I like that style vs. machete), or a Condor Viking. Would like a grass/brush chopper that can take on 1-2 inch saplings also. Thanks for adivce ( and anyone who adds in, thanks also). just FYI, I bought a cheap POS machete that didnt even come sharpened, so dont want to make same mistake. twice.
 
The Viking is easier to find right now and comes with a sheath already. Also, it's thinner. The Golok is suffering of low supply right now, and has a distal-tapered blade that's pretty thick at the base and nice and thin at the tip. One monster of a chopper, either way.
 
42B, thanks (hows the baby BTW, your wife should be due soon, (or am I wrong?)) I really like the Vikings looks, but havent held one yet. Whats the most you did that impressed you w/it so far. Im looking for an "out of the box" sharp chopper and path clearing tool. I know you lean towards Condor, which is fine by me, Ive heard many + comments about them.
 
Baby's coming along nicely. My lady just hit the second trimester, so it won't be here for a while yet. Thanks for asking! :)

What impresses me the most about my Viking is how well it handles heavier chopping while still being able to tackle the light stuff. It has a nice big sweet spot that really focuses a blow nicely, and the hooked back edge is ideal for clearing brush and brambles, especially since you don't really have to bend down to do it. It takes a terrifying edge, and I haven't been able to scratch a bit of the coating off it yet, and this is its third year of service. Whatever that UltraBlac coating is, it's tough as nails!

We'll put it this way--if it weren't such a favorite of mine I wouldn't be planning to pimp it out with green canvas micarta scales and countersunk torx fasteners. :D
 
42B, how do you sharpen the Viking Condor (its not a 4-6 inch blade, like Im used to)?
(Best wishes to you & your family!)
 
I just learned a lot. I never really thought about a machete before.



Thanks for all of the good info. :thumbup::)
 
Hey GlockASP, I feeel for you if you're the gun type and live in MASS., and I thought CT. was bad, At least you still can have Rats and machetes.
 
onado2000 said:
42B, how do you sharpen the Viking Condor (its not a 4-6 inch blade, like Im used to)?
(Best wishes to you & your family!)
Click to expand...

I just use a DMT diafold, typically. I hold the machete (usually by vertically by the spine in my left hand) and bring the diafold to the blade much like a file. When I'm feeling REALLY crazy (which is often) I'll use the rods from my sharpmaker as a final step. Gets it hair-popping sharp in no time. :)
 
onado2000 said:
Horn Dog, given your experience w/ those goloks, if you were asked which golok was better, which would you chose? Im looking to buy a golok (I like that style vs. machete), or a Condor Viking. Would like a grass/brush chopper that can take on 1-2 inch saplings also. Thanks for adivce ( and anyone who adds in, thanks also). just FYI, I bought a cheap POS machete that didnt even come sharpened, so dont want to make same mistake. twice.
Click to expand...

I have the smaller Condor Puerto Rican machete, and it can chop anything from grasses to hard maple. That big Viking should do it all. Best golok? I think that for the money, the Condor wins. They all work well. My favorite golok for carry is the Bark River, but they are not cheap.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top