Machete thread, deals, steals and show what you got

panoz77 said:
Just an FYI, sportsman's guide has two different lots of 5 machetes, one is "Columbian" and the other is "latin american" the columbian are $22 for 5 and the latin american are $18 for 5, both are random lots of different types/styles, if you catch free shipping it is another super deal! The guy I know who ordered two lots of the columbian received some really great machetes! Sucks they are so hung up on posting links to deals here, I don't understand that "rule" but if you have any google fu you can find them over at SG pretty easy.
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Saw that deal in the catalog that came in the mail.
 
I like Condor stuff which I suppose would be considered the high end Imacasa stuff. My favorite is the 18" El Salvador model with the wood handles. Certainly costs more than the junk you pick up a Wallyworld. Buy once, cry once. That said, I have a number of Condor machetes and pleased with all of them.
 
The only difference between a $100 Condor machete from El Salvador and a $5 Imacasa is some finishing that any guy can do in about 30 minutes. They sand and stain the wood handles, and finish sharpen the blade, if that is worth $95 to someone and their wallet is open, well it is their money. For me, I'd rather get the raw $5 blade and sharpen it myself and save the $95.
 
I can understand the sentiment. But I think some finishing is worth something. Which Condor model costs $100? I don't buy the boutique machetes such as made by Bark River. My El Salvador model ran about $50 with a great leather sheath and worth every penny. Did you get leather sheath's with any of your non-condor machetes?
 
I don't think I'd ever buy a condor machete, because you can get a marbles machete for 15$.
The only real difference between the condor and standard imi stuff is the edge, finish, and leather sheath. I understand buying a tool that comes with all of this stuff, but doing it yourself is fun so you can either go standard imicasa or go marbles for a little more and only have to worry about the handle.
I think the best imicasa machetes are probably the marbles ones because they're a step above the standard imicasa stuff but still inexpensive unlike the condor line. One of the best things about the marbles line is the awesome blaze orange coating.
I'm not knocking the condor stuff, I just don't need a machete that is " MARKETED " to the knife world, as apposed to simply sold as a tool, because it's more expensive without a true gain in function.
 
Hickory n steel said:
I don't think I'd ever buy a condor machete, because you can get a marbles machete for 15$.
The only real difference between the condor and standard imi stuff is the edge, finish, and leather sheath. I understand buying a tool that comes with all of this stuff, but doing it yourself is fun so you can either go standard imicasa or go marbles for a little more and only have to worry about the handle.
I think the best imicasa machetes are probably the marbles ones because they're a step above the standard imicasa stuff but still inexpensive unlike the condor line. One of the best things about the marbles line is the awesome blaze orange coating.
I'm not knocking the condor stuff, I just don't need a machete that is " MARKETED " to the knife world, as apposed to simply sold as a tool, because it's more expensive without a true gain in function.
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You don't think that is enough? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean by "marketed" to the knife world. I buy machetes as tools and the leather sheath is quite handy and functional. Don't have no make some cardboard piece of crap and wrap duct tape around it.... or a "canvas" sheath that lasts for about two outings before the blade cuts it up. As always, you're free to do what you want with your own money.
 
22-rimfire said:
You don't think that is enough? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean by "marketed" to the knife world. I buy machetes as tools and the leather sheath is quite handy and functional. Don't have no make some cardboard piece of crap and wrap duct tape around it.... or a "canvas" sheath that lasts for about two outings before the blade cuts it up. As always, you're free to do what you want with your own money.
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What I mean by them being marketed to the knife world is them not being sold the same way that a tool which belongs in a shed is,They're sold to the knife community and shown at blade show.

A good leather sheath is a nice thing to have, but my Marbles machetes came with a durable nylon sheath and a sharpening stone for 15$. It may not be as nice as a leather sheath, but the sharpening stone which I'm always using for damage control from constantly chopping in or around the ground is a great bonus.
BTW one could come out ahead of they buy a 5$ imicasa to sharpen themselves and get a plastic GI style sheath for 10$ at an army surplus store.

I'm not saying the condors aren't a nice tool because imicasa makes good stuff, I'm just saying they're expensive for what you can have for under 20$ and a bit of time.
I love a project, and honestly wish my Marbles machetes had more that needed to be done as it only toke me an hour to mod both handles.
 
Condor stuff, especially the machetes, are geared toward the American market (certainly a Western Market). I doubt $50 machetes sell real well in Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico. Condor makes a pretty broad range of products and knives are a big part of it. I believe their first products were in fact knives. It is only reasonable to market to the knife community. But, I feel sure your local hardware store could sell them if they wanted to. Sportsman Warehouse sells their machete products (basically stuff that sells the best) along with SOG, Cold Steel and so forth. I don't think they sell Marbles branded stuff. Marbles straddles the budget market and the middle market. That's their niche. I think the orange paint is eye catching and helps sell their products.

Hickory n Steel. You have posted enough here that I pretty much know your "niche" (at least for now) and it certainly isn't $150 or $200 (or whatever) Bark River or Fiddleback Forge machetes. Not my cup of tea either. Your preferences seem to lean to the more budget side of things. I'm glad you're satisfied with the Marbles machetes and I feel sure I would find them okay. I could certainly use one of my Condor leather sheaths with one. But I have Condor stuff and see little need to buy anything else for now. I generally have no problem with paying $50 or $60 for a good machete with a good sheath. But I don't want to spend $150.

The handles are the "thing" as far as I'm concerned with machetes assuming a reasonable steel being used. If the handle is not comfortable to use, it will sit unused in my garage or a closet.... essentially one step away from the junk pile or something to be given away. I had to work on the handle of my discontinued Condor Puerto Rican model machete (it had very blocky wood slabs and was 14" in 420HC). I bought it online during my machete discovery period. At first I just tossed it in my pile of unused blades/knives. Eventually I decided to make an effort to sand the handle. I did it slowly in steps as I didn't want to ruin. Finished it off with some linseed oil and it turned out really nice. I keep it in my work vehicle and it gets used. No need for wrapping with string but I know you just like to tinker with stuff and the string looks good. I prefer not to tinker at all with cutlery other than sharpening.

Our preferences tend to be similar, but I hit a slightly higher end product line overall. But certainly not $1000 custom knives. Be happy. You have found a product that you are satisfied with and use. I have done the same.
 
22-rimfire said:
Condor stuff, especially the machetes, are geared toward the American market (certainly a Western Market). I doubt $50 machetes sell real well in Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico. Condor makes a pretty broad range of products and knives are a big part of it. I believe their first products were in fact knives. It is only reasonable to market to the knife community. But, I feel sure your local hardware store could sell them if they wanted to. Sportsman Warehouse sells their machete products (basically stuff that sells the best) along with SOG, Cold Steel and so forth. I don't think they sell Marbles branded stuff. Marbles straddles the budget market and the middle market. That's their niche. I think the orange paint is eye catching and helps sell their products.

Hickory n Steel. You have posted enough here that I pretty much know your "niche" (at least for now) and it certainly isn't $150 or $200 (or whatever) Bark River or Fiddleback Forge machetes. Not my cup of tea either. Your preferences seem to lean to the more budget side of things. I'm glad you're satisfied with the Marbles machetes and I feel sure I would find them okay. I could certainly use one of my Condor leather sheaths with one. But I have Condor stuff and see little need to buy anything else for now. I generally have no problem with paying $50 or $60 for a good machete with a good sheath. But I don't want to spend $150.

The handles are the "thing" as far as I'm concerned with machetes assuming a reasonable steel being used. If the handle is not comfortable to use, it will sit unused in my garage or a closet.... essentially one step away from the junk pile or something to be given away. I had to work on the handle of my discontinued Condor Puerto Rican model machete (it had very blocky wood slabs and was 14" in 420HC). I bought it online during my machete discovery period. At first I just tossed it in my pile of unused blades/knives. Eventually I decided to make an effort to sand the handle. I did it slowly in steps as I didn't want to ruin. Finished it off with some linseed oil and it turned out really nice. I keep it in my work vehicle and it gets used. No need for wrapping with string but I know you just like to tinker with stuff and the string looks good. I prefer not to tinker at all with cutlery other than sharpening.

Our preferences tend to be similar, but I hit a slightly higher end product line overall. But certainly not $1000 custom knives. Be happy. You have found a product that you are satisfied with and use. I have done the same.
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150-200$ for a machete :eek::eek: now that makes the 50$ that the condor machetes cost sound perfectly reasonable:thumbsup:
BTW I completely reshaped the handles and tangs of my machetes to get them where I wanted, then I wrapped them in string.
The handle certainly is important, and I probably couldn't leave the handle of any machete as it comes.
 
Hickory n steel said:
...The handle certainly is important, and I probably couldn't leave the handle of any machete as it comes.
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You've never handled the Condor stuff much. The wood handle on the 18" El Salvador latin machete is just about perfect for me and the poly injection molded handles are very good too. These aren't plastic slabs like the Ontario machetes.
 
22-rimfire said:
I can understand the sentiment. But I think some finishing is worth something. Which Condor model costs $100? I don't buy the boutique machetes such as made by Bark River. My El Salvador model ran about $50 with a great leather sheath and worth every penny. Did you get leather sheath's with any of your non-condor machetes?
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I don't need or want a sheath, especially when it adds $45 to a $5 machete. When I pull one of these out, it is going straight to work, then getting wiped down, light coat of oil and hung back up. What would I need a sheath for? I'm not trecking on a walkabout in the outback with it.
 
I am however going to get one sheath for one of the 14" that I just bought. Getting a marbles sheath that is $13, so that makes a grand total for the 14" of $16.
 
Have no idea where you can buy a Marbles machete for $5. Most are in the $15-$20 area. The sheaths are cheap. Won't last long.

Do what you like. You get what you pay for.
 
I didn't say I own a "marbles" machete. The 14" Imacasa I have has poly handles and was $2.98 shipped to my door.
 
2.98 each for 14" x 2
$9.99 for two 18"
$12.99 for two 22"

All poly handles, free shipping.
 
22-rimfire said:
Have no idea where you can buy a Marbles machete for $5. Most are in the $15-$20 area. The sheaths are cheap. Won't last long.

Do what you like. You get what you pay for.
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Do you have one ?
mine seem pretty durable to me,and well beyond what I'd expect to get for the price.
I could care less weather or not mine came with a sheath as it's not something I take into the woods, but I feel I got more than I payed for.
Just because the condor machetes are 50$ and come with a leather sheath doesn't make them the end all be all, and that anything else from imicasa is inferior.

You keep replying to people as if they're choosing to spend their money on an inferior tool, but you need to remember that not everyone is taking a machete camping or woodcrafting.
Many people use and store their machete along side a rake shovel or hoe.
 
Marbles sheath, nope. I'm glad you're happy. That's what's important. The only time I use the Condor Sheaths other than for safe storage in my vehicle is when I'm walking a trail and carrying a machete. Other than that, I seldom use a sheath around the house. No need. It's a tool like many others.

The storage issue in my vehicle is actually the dominant use of machete sheaths for me. I have a lot of stuff inside my work vehicle and I don't want to be cutting things that aren't supposed to be intentionally cut.

I know the Marbles machetes are made by Imacasa and they should be very similar to the similar Condor product. We seem to be fighting over nothing as I am not in the market for a new machete nor am I trying to convince you to get something else. I have a brand new Condor 18" El Salvador (with leather sheath) that I haven't even cut anything with that I picked up at Blade last year for $20 (close out on a particular model with the hole in the blade). I like their stuff and I'm willing to pay for it. Guess that's the bottom line on my end. Others make their own choices. I don't want to even look at $5 machetes. My experience with such machetes is not good overall. But of course that was years ago when I didn't know anything about machetes.

I use machetes a lot but I have a pretty broad selection of machete-like choppers that I use. But I don't need any.

We're all pretty satisfied with our own choices and none of us are going to run to the store and buy a machete because of this thread.
 
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I once read an article in the 80's by an oldtimer who spent decades in the bush, and he couldn't stop praising the flat tipped martindale sugar cane machete he used (second from top.) He said kukhri, golok, and bowie type designs won't last long in daily hard use.

martindale_long.jpg
 
hank_rearden said:
I once read an article in the 80's by an oldtimer who spent decades in the bush, and he couldn't stop praising the flat tipped martindale sugar cane machete he used (second from top.) He said kukhri, golok, and bowie type designs won't last long in daily hard use.

martindale_long.jpg
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Both my machetes came with the same handle shape as those 2 in the middle, and I just couldn't stand them this way as it cramped my fingers together and really only allows for a bear paw grip.
With the shape I gave my handles I can hold them mostly pointing forward holding mainly with my forefinger and thumb then flick my wrist as I'm cutting through weeds and light brush. I also often do a lot of horizontal cutting using a loose modified Sabre grip, also flicking my wrist.
My fingers are pretty bony, so this is the technique I've naturally adopted which prevents blistering.

I can see how having some sort of beak or spurr at the end of your machete handle could cause blistering, but only if you hold it wrong.
 
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