Machete help

S

saipan

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Nov 29, 2014
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First, I apologize if this thread is repetitive for some. I've read through a lot of forum threads already about machete choices but still can't make up my mind and was hoping for some expert opinions/advice!

I live on a tropical island with lots of jungle and coconuts--those are my main uses for a machete. I have one now, just a nameless machete that I bought at the local hardware store; however, I don't like it at all. It's okay cutting through coconuts (after several attempts) but is especially bad at cutting through jungle vines. Oh, and the blade is a little bent now? Also, the grip is coming off, so I have it taped up.

From what I've read, Condor is a good choice, as well as some others (my preference would be American made). But, even Condor has so many models...not even sure where to begin. Suggestions? Also, I've just used a Smith's machete sharpener on my other machete and it seems to have worked well, though I find myself sharpening the blade a lot. Is there a better way to sharpen?

Thanks!
 
Condor and tramontia are both good so is the Esee lite machete one of the best handles I've ever used. Even the cold steel machetes can be made good with a file. I sharpen mine with a file most of the time and if needed a DMT Dufold diamond sharpener if i want it really sharp.
 
Jungle, coconuts and a bent blade...you might want to try a bolo instead, unless you cut a lot of grass.
 
Condor Speed Machete or El Salvador. The Tapanga wouldn't be a bad one either, if you want a long blade that can chop hard. In a shorter length the Baryonyx Machete would do a real number on coconuts and still be able to slash vegetation--it can take the head off a deer in one hit!
 
The Condor El Salvador (wood handled) or the Condor Swamp Master would be my suggestions. I really like the El Salvador, and the blade shape of the Swamp Master might be very useful to you. You will probably have to sand down the handles on the Swamp Master to get them where you like them or get 42 Blades to do it.
 
Tramontinas are very nice. For coconuts, I'd pick their bolo. But you also mention having trouble cutting through vines. In that case the "regular" machete pattern will do, one with an 18 to 24 inch long blade.
Save the extra money you would have spent on a Condor, and use it to buy a flat bastard file.
Not saying Condors aren't worth the money--they are excellent machetes. But Trams work just as well (after some edge-work) at a fraction of the cost.

For sharpening I file the bevels down until I get a tiny burr. Then I use a 3,000 grit stone to knock off the burr and make a microbevel at the same time. This gets me scary-sharp edge.
The stone is a cheap, China-made copy of the stones used in the Edge Pro Apex. I use it the same way I use the file.
 
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The Cold Steel line is very good most of the time, although a little file work make them good just about all of the time.

Ontario is another option if you don't mind spending a little extra money for something made in America.
 
The largest problem with Tramontinas is the limited pattern selection and the fact that their blades don't have any distal taper. That's not a problem on machetes under 20" in length (so the most popular models are unaffected) but above that point most machetes start getting floppy if the blades aren't tapered.
 
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