Machete recommendations

shaving sharp

shaving sharp

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I am looking for a good machete with a 12-14 inch blade. Would like the steel to be 3/16 thick (thicker is fine but then it is more of a chopper than a machete).
I know Fiddleback is making some nice ones but I am looking for one that would cost under $75.00 and have good steel that holds a good edge. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
Seems too long, or too thick for that price. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything that fits those parameters. Are you hoping for a full flat grind? Cause, 3/16" thick spine might make it heavy, depending on the grind. The Ontario's that are 1/8" thick are worth looking at, especially the KSF Bark River/Ontario mod. It's pricy, but everyone says it's worth it.
 
Honestly, anything thicker than 3/32" IMHO is not a machete. A machete has to be light and flexible.
Hell, you could buy an Ontario 12"er for 15 bucks, or try to find a Cold Steel 12" machete on the secondary markets.
Not only that, but you could buy three Ontarios and a belt sander from Harbor Freight for less than 75 bucks and start your own machete modifying business.
 
Condor golok (for something available right now) though if you're willing to wait then the Thai enep knife would be a good option as well.
 
I am leaning toward a Condor Boomslang. I think it can do double duty as a small machete and a camp knife.
 
They aren't as long, but the Ka-Bar Cutlass, Kukri, ESEE Junglas, RTAK, RD9, and others are in the range. It's more expensive, but the Bark River Golok is thick, but light enough to swing through softer materials, and not need extra energy to stop it's motion.
I think your best choice is the Ontario 12" Cutlass, the 1/8" thick one. Get it, convex it, replace the handle with some better scales. That is a chopping tool, and it's affordable.
 
The bolos from Reflections of Asia might be what you're after. They're village grade workers. Not polished but very capable. Worth looking at.

Frank
 
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