Machete question

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H2H907

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Dec 30, 2007
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I'm in the market for a good machete or camp knife that isn't the typical factory fare. I've seen great custom examples pop up here from time to time, but could someone please direct me to either a sub-forum or some good threads on the topic please.

Thanks.
 
I think the Himalayan Imports subforum is one of the big places to look.
 
If you don't mind something on the shorter end of things, I suggest the Ka-Bar Becker BK-9. It has a 9 inch blade of 1095. It's a tool built to work, and is thicker than your average machete. It will handle bushwacking as well as heavier chopping duties. I suppose a pure bushwacker with a thinner blade may be more appropriate for you, but if you could use a strong chopper you may want to consider the Becker.
 
Thanks for the info, looking for something in the 14" range.

Will check out Fiddleback.
 
The fiddleback's are now at Machete specialists, as well on Andy's sub forum. A custom made machete will cost more, but could be more exact to your needs.
A compromise could be to modify an existing design. Lots of people can make their own handle scales, and convex the edge of an existing machete. Won't cost so much that way.
Yet, I've heard no complaints about the Fiddleback's performance.
 
I can't speak for the OP, but I personally think that while the Woodman's Pal can be used for a lot of things it seems to enjoy making the endeavor more of a challenge. :foot:
 
Machete:
One of these days, I'll have an ESEE Lite Machete, which is basically a Condor with some nicer micarta scales.
It's been an ordeal trying to get one. I've actually ordered three separate times. Still no machete.
Anyway, that might be a good choice.

Camp knife:
Lots of good choices out there, from Becker to Busse to Swamp Rat to ESEE to others. The four I named are my choices, but one nice thing about Becker and ESEE is that there's a consistent line-up. Several Beckers like the BK9, BK7, BK5, and even the shorter BK2 make durn nice camp knives. ESEE, of course, has a number of good models too. Busse and Swamp Rat can involve a wait unless you want to pay secondary market prices. That Busse Boss Jack available now isn't a bad choice though, and while expensive, the price is actually pretty good for a Busse. Also, Fiddleback Forge is another place I'd look for a camp knife. Besides Andy Roy (Fiddleback), other makers too come to mind: Jeremy Horton (Horton Knives) and Dylan Fletcher (Fletcher Knives), for instance.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I can't speak for the OP, but I personally think that while the Woodman's Pal can be used for a lot of things it seems to enjoy making the endeavor more of a challenge. :foot:
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Could you elaborate on this please. As the most experience I have with one is holding it in my hand. Did like it though. Balance and weight and what-not.
 
Guyon said:
Machete:
One of these days, I'll have an ESEE Lite Machete, which is basically a Condor with some nicer micarta scales.
It's been an ordeal trying to get one. I've actually ordered three separate times. Still no machete.
Anyway, that might be a good choice.
Click to expand...

i got a friend of mine a condor eco-survivor (same blade as the ESEE lite), great light-medium duty machete.
 
Turley knives: Grand river machete

Then there's always Valiant, which sells Far East machetes.

13 3/4"
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SGS.JPG
 
What are you planning on doing with it? If you're looking for hard chopping, it's going to be very very hard to beat an HI blade, especially given their fantastic pricing. If you're looking for light chopping and vine clearing, there's a WIDE variety of good options for nice and cheap.
 
RiverRatXJ said:
Could you elaborate on this please. As the most experience I have with one is holding it in my hand. Did like it though. Balance and weight and what-not.
Click to expand...

Short blade means that if you're cutting dense brush or brambles it's easy to get scuffed up, the edge not going all the way to the tip makes cuts in grasses more difficult since the dull region drags through instead of cutting. The hook is at too closed of an an angle making it only useful for pulling cuts which require you to move the blade past the target and then you have to pull harder since you don't get as much room to accelerate the blade to the target. If you get the "deluxe" version with the D-guard handle you can't reverse the blade to hold the hook forward. While they say you can use the end as a shovel, the flat tip has such a broad profile that it will only bite into the softest, muddiest soil or into something like sand or snow.

Just my opinion though. :o
 
H2H907 said:
I'm in the market for a good machete or camp knife that isn't the typical factory fare. I've seen great custom examples pop up here from time to time, but could someone please direct me to either a sub-forum or some good threads on the topic please.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I like my Fiddleback 12"

[youtube]btNpMC_x5aA[/youtube]
 
I have a couple of different designs I'll be putting out (once I generate the funds) that'll tackle the same tasks in a much more effective manner. It's a tricky set of targets to multitask with but it IS possible to balance between them if you're careful enough. :o
 
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