Machete for the everglades?

B.B.M said:
I was fixing to order the golok and you was out of stock.....maybe thats a sign:) the whole thick machete vs thin machete is driving me crazy i was actually checking out the mora machete, which looks very interesting at only 7oz and then there is the condor bolo which is kind of middle of the road at 1/8 thickness
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Yeah I'll be placing a reorder on those soon but all of my distributors are out of stock on goloks at the moment! Just ran out of Mora machetes, too, but those get to me in just a few days. Sorry I didn't get a pic to ya' on that Swamp Master yet. Things got a little busy but I ought to tomorrow if things go to schedule! :p

RWT said:
I had the same situation. I needed something light enough to pack and not to long. My main goal was to clear a path when dragging out shot animals. I got tired of walking into branches at eye level while dragging hogs/deer at night. I went with the 12" Ontario from 42blades. It is the perfect size IMO as I can strap it to my pack or carry it on my hip if needed. IT cuts really well, better than my BK9 and with the convex edge 42 puts on it I could cut 1/2 hemp rope almost as well as I do with my skinning knives. I recommend buying it from 42 blades vs a non convexed model. The extra $ is worth it.
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Glad it's working well for ya'! The grind that comes on those from the factory is pretty abysmal--especially near the tip. A good thin edge makes all the difference! :thumbup:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Yeah I'll be placing a reorder on those soon but all of my distributors are out of stock on goloks at the moment! Just ran out of Mora machetes, too, but those get to me in just a few days. Sorry I didn't get a pic to ya' on that Swamp Master yet. Things got a little busy but I ought to tomorrow if things go to schedule! :p
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Thats cool I still haven't made my mind up on which one to get:cool:
 
I will grab a pic of the Grohmann machete we have at work, looks like an interesting blade.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Ok--here are some super crappy photos. It's still dawn here so the lighting wasn't very advantageous. :o

View attachment 255846View attachment 255847View attachment 255848View attachment 255849
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Man that sure is nice thanks for the pics:thumbup:, I wish it came in carbon. I'm just not sure about it being stainless, on the flip side being more rust resistant is a really big plus though, might have to give one a try. I've kinda narrowed it down to the el salvador 14 inch and the swamp master and maybe the bolo 15 inch.
 
B.B.M said:
Man that sure is nice thanks for the pics:thumbup:, I wish it came in carbon. I'm just not sure about it being stainless, on the flip side being more rust resistant is a really big plus though, might have to give one a try. I've kinda narrowed it down to the el salvador 14 inch and the swamp master and maybe the bolo 15 inch.
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Any of the three would do great, but the Swamp Master is the lightest of them in the hand. I wouldn't trust a stainless machete from any other manufacturer, but after all the hell I've put my Viking through I know Condor can do it right! The Viking is 20" long and only an inch wide at the base of the blade. If it can take the shock and stress then the Swamp Master definitely can! :thumbup:
 
Go with the Ontario D-Handle 12" or the 18”cut off the "D" and smooth the handle to your liking and cut/grind the tip to a Small point for drilling and a Scandie edge on the rear portion.
Which ever do these Modifications.
The Machete will be used for digging, smashing, abuse that you will not use your smaller folder/fixed blade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVHeKNbRXgc&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...chetes and Machete Sheaths&cat=ONT&b=machete&
Look at the Uses of Machetes
http://machetespecialist.com/index.html
 
akabu said:
Go with the Ontario D-Handle 12" or the 18”cut off the "D" and smooth the handle to your liking and cut/grind the tip to a Small point for drilling and a Scandie edge on the rear portion.
Which ever do these Modifications.
The Machete will be used for digging, smashing, abuse that you will not use your smaller folder/fixed blade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVHeKNbRXgc&feature=player_embedded#!

http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/...chetes and Machete Sheaths&cat=ONT&b=machete&
Look at the Uses of Machetes
http://machetespecialist.com/index.html
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akabu said:
a link to Pics of the Mods on the D-handle and opines of same.All I can say it all works very well.
http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/784056/
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12" Ontario Cutlass Machete--"Special Grade" ;):p
 
The Condor Golock which I have is over kill for this trip Heavy and Long and you will have to mod the handle as it is very wide.
Good Blade but for the applications on the trip a no go in my opine just me :} Some times Cheaper and more uses rules and History proven.
Yeah till the Pins fail ... have wire or DUCT tape :}
Other than SS they Will Rust so if you want "Pretty" Have some Oil or Car Wax for the first few days after that it will not matter.
 
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I'd consider the Golok overkill as well, given the location--especially on the weight. I don't consider it too long, though--not even remotely. With regard to the handle width I take a ladies size 8 glove (finding leather work gloves that small is a pain in the butt!) but I don't find it too wide at all. Just goes to show you how strong a role personal preference plays in selecting a blade! :thumbup:
 
B.B.M said:
the14" El Salvador machete looks interesting kinda of middle of the road at 1/8 thick, hows the handle on them? are the rubber?
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Its not rubber its plastic and the 14" El Salvador is an awesome machete. It will handle all of your need excluding having the reach of the more traditional 18-22 inch machetes. It will handle light vines briars and the extra thickness makes it baton well too.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Any of the three would do great, but the Swamp Master is the lightest of them in the hand. I wouldn't trust a stainless machete from any other manufacturer, but after all the hell I've put my Viking through I know Condor can do it right! The Viking is 20" long and only an inch wide at the base of the blade. If it can take the shock and stress then the Swamp Master definitely can! :thumbup:
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you sold me on it:D just ordered the swamp master from you.... I can't wait to get it in and test it.:cool:
 
It'll go out to you first thing tomorrow! Let us all know how it does for you--don't forget to test it before you leave, too. Never go on a trip with untested gear. Or photographs of the testing. :D:thumbup:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
It'll go out to you first thing tomorrow! Let us all know how it does for you--don't forget to test it before you leave, too. Never go on a trip with untested gear. Or photographs of the testing. :D:thumbup:
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Thanks! I really appreciate all the info and pics you have given me:thumbup:. I'll be sure and take lots of pics and do a video of the testing:D
 
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