Machete for Rocky Mountain (Colorado) region

thurin

thurin

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Looking for input on a Machete style that would work well for campsite prep and wood processing (light chopping, limbing, splitting) in the Rocky Mountain region, i.e. Pine, Douglas Fir, Aspen, Scrub Oak and undergrowth. In the past I've used hatchets in this role (currently a Fiskars) but am looking to have a little more fun in the process.
 
I live in colorado and I have a bk 9 and a smachaxe from becker that I really find helpful for the task you have listed. ymmv
 
14" Condor El Salvador? Imacasa 14" Spoonbill Bolo or 14.5" Daga? :)
 
How about one like this but with a green handle?
IMG_0933.jpg



I just happen to have one in stock and ready to go.
1/4" thick and the blade is just over 10" long. Sharp as a straight razor and ready for limbing, chopping and
just plain out having fun in the woods cutting and chopping with.

If interested Pm. or email me.

Bryan
 
Hey Thurin on Alameda and Zuni(in Denver) there is a Surplus store on the north side of the street,the place is really cool they have a ton of machetes super good prices,Imacasa and quite a few other brands a few made in Columbia,etc..can't miss it the place has been their a long time,but this is the first time I noticed the machetes.

I have a Breeden (just like the Photo above) really nice works great,Thanks Bryan-I also have a Junglas this also works great.
 
thurin said:
That spoonbill bolo looks interesting. It'd help with clearing the aspen roots and suckers chewing up my backyard too :)
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You can use the partial back edge for grubbing roots. You can still baton it no problem, too. :)
 
Not talking about Customs, I'd go with the Condor 15" bolo. It's one of my favorite custom machete/choppers out there.
 
Yeah the 15" (technically 15.5" I think) Bolo is a brute without tipping the scales too high. Nice packable size while still being over the 14" mark, too. Love it.
 
I swung by a big box outdoorsy type place on the way home that carries knives and they had a Condor 14" El Salvador. How does the thickness of it compare to the Imacasa's? It seemed pretty thin - I'd worry about batoning it. The spine was coated so I'm guessing it wouldn't be the greatest for firesteeling or tinder work without some grinding first. It did feel good in the hand though. Felt like it would slice through stuff pretty easy. Not the sharpest blade I've seen, but nothing a little work with a puck that I use on my hatchets wouldn't fix. Guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.
 
thurin said:
I swung by a big box outdoorsy type place on the way home that carries knives and they had a Condor 14" El Salvador. How does the thickness of it compare to the Imacasa's? It seemed pretty thin - I'd worry about batoning it. The spine was coated so I'm guessing it wouldn't be the greatest for firesteeling or tinder work without some grinding first. It did feel good in the hand though. Felt like it would slice through stuff pretty easy. Not the sharpest blade I've seen, but nothing a little work with a puck that I use on my hatchets wouldn't fix. Guess I'm just looking for some reassurance.
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The El Salvador is a little thicker than the Imacasas in general. Don't worry about batoning it--it's nice and stiff and we're dealing with the spring heat treatment of a machete rather than the harder heat treatment of a knife. Besides, batoning is really a technique best employed on only up to calf-sized (the part of your leg--not the animal! :D) logs and the 14" should be plenty good for that. Batoning with a machete generally means that you have to smack it a few more times before the split happens, BUT each blow drives the blade pretty far into the wood. :)
 
thurin said:
Looking for input on a Machete style that would work well for campsite prep and wood processing (light chopping, limbing, splitting) in the Rocky Mountain region, i.e. Pine, Douglas Fir, Aspen, Scrub Oak and undergrowth. In the past I've used hatchets in this role (currently a Fiskars) but am looking to have a little more fun in the process.
Click to expand...

I pretty much have the same assortment of green stuff here in Central Utah. My 14" Tram Bolo and or a 20" H.I. Sirupati Khukri have served me well. Speaking of just machetes my Bolo makes very quick work of Aspen, brush and green pine, fir and spruce. . . I also rotate a customized 12" Ontario and 12" Fiddleback machetes. Those two work great for trail clearing. The 14" Bolo is a bit better when it comes to heavy chopping like Scrub oak and dried pine. . . . The 15" bolo that someone else mentioned would probably be awesome!!

I used Bowie's for years, but then after getting into Machetes, I stopped carrying them for a while. Bowie's are fun still, so a few see occasional use. When trail clearing each spring, I tend to use my Machete more, even if I also have a bowie on me.
 
If you like Orange handles this cleaver type long knife might be of interest.

IMG_1120.jpg


I just finished this one today. 12" long blade, 3/16" thick.

Bryan
 
I've been using a Condor Golok almost exclusively for the last few years, in the mountains and high desert of Colorado (western slope). I can't say enough good things about it. It's got heft, certainly more than the El Salvador. I prefer it to the 15" Bolo, which is also a beast. But the balance on the Golok is just so much better. It can be used quite well for clearing duties, does well with batoning, and has a lot of punch for a relatively small package.
 
When watching my pack weight in the backcountry, sometimes I'll take my Ontario 12" cutlass machete. Custom micarta handles, and convexed by Scott Gossman. It's a fair piece lighter than the Golok, but tough as nails. I've tried to beat it to death, but it just won't die!
 
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