Machete

It kind of depends on what you're going to be cutting most of the time. The thickest generally-available machete is the Ontario heavy duty, which is a whopping 1/8" thick. So: not really made for chopping thick or hard woods -- it can be done, but a big knife or hatchet will bind less and be less prone to edge damage.

I can tell you from swinging the 24" OHD on tall grasses/weeds this weekend, even an hour with a heavy machete can get pretty tiring! Most machetes are thinner stock, 1/16" to 3/32". Those whip through light vegetation with ease. But if you are going to be chopping near the ground, you wil end up hitting hard materials and getting edge damage, that's just how it goes (and why machetes are basic corbon steel not run super-hard, so you can fix the damage between outings). Many people here are big fans of Condors, although they are a bit pricier than the standard Ontarios.
 
I use a 1 mm thick machete my wife bought from an indio in Guatemala.
These people use machetes all day for real, and kno what works and what doesn't.
It's made from some sheet steel, sharpens to a razor edge, has a crudely carved exotic wood handle fixed with thick copper pins, and a carved leather sheath.
It works like a charm.
A machete has to be light, if you want to work in shrubs all day, or you will be tired within minutes.
 
1mm? that is thiiiiin.

I like my CS Kukri machete as it doesn't really grow any soft weed-things here high enough to warrant being cut down.
I took down a 6-7'' birch with it once :D
 
I cut 1/2" branches with that machete, and it goes thru them with a "TZINNG" as if they were thin air.
For thicker stuff, like small trees, a kukri is best.
Here shrubs are infested with black locust, and it grows almost as fast as you cut it. Machete for the saplings small branches, hatchet / kukri for trees. :)
BTW: the wood is great for knife handles. Very hard, fine grained, durable and resistant to weather.
 
My local hardware store has "corn knives". High carbon steel wooden handles. Looks like something made 100 years ago but they are tough and cheap!
T
 
I've always been happy with my 18" SB Ontario. It really did the job on my old land for clearing trails!
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Skimo said:
general use... Gerber, why not, it's cheap!
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'cause it has a crappy partial tang that's notorious for breaking. :)

I recommend Condor, Martindale, Tramontina, Ontario, Cold Steel. In that order.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
'cause it has a crappy partial tang that's notorious for breaking. :)

I recommend Condor, Martindale, Tramontina, Ontario, Cold Steel. In that order.
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This is pretty sound advice for lighter vegetation, such as we generally see around the US (and other temperate zones). I'm sadly machete-less right now, but I have used an Ontario and a Martindale (I think -- sounds familiar) in my youth, as well as a couple of native-made machetes (South American).

A golok is good for thicker vegetation. When you need to deal with really thick stuff (beyond say 2" or 3"), a khuk is a good idea (I prefer the HI khuks).

Of course, khuks and goloks are thicker, heavier, and harder to swing. Even a tough guy will run out of gas much sooner with these heavy tools.

[EDIT: I should add that a well-made parang also does a great job against thicker vegetation. I've only used one, a native-made knife in the Indonesian region -- heavier than a machete or golok and with a different design than the khuk. I don't know if anyone makes one in the US.]

Like every other tool-related situation, take some time and match the tool to the job. You'll do much better that way.:thumbup:
 
Tramontina for light vegetation, Ontario for the thick stuff. If you can't cut it with a 22" Ontario get a Stihl.
 
OldPhysics said:
This is pretty sound advice for lighter vegetation, such as we generally see around the US (and other temperate zones). I'm sadly machete-less right now, but I have used an Ontario and a Martindale (I think -- sounds familiar) in my youth, as well as a couple of native-made machetes (South American).

A golok is good for thicker vegetation. When you need to deal with really thick stuff (beyond say 2" or 3"), a khuk is a good idea (I prefer the HI khuks).

Of course, khuks and goloks are thicker, heavier, and harder to swing. Even a tough guy will run out of gas much sooner with these heavy tools.

[EDIT: I should add that a well-made parang also does a great job against thicker vegetation. I've only used one, a native-made knife in the Indonesian region -- heavier than a machete or golok and with a different design than the khuk. I don't know if anyone makes one in the US.]

Like every other tool-related situation, take some time and match the tool to the job. You'll do much better that way.:thumbup:
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I've actually taken out 4" diameter trees with my Condors without any real difficulty. :)
 
I've had good luck with my cheap Cold Steel bolo. I like the bolo, with that bellied end. That end helps chopping up stuff around the yard and garden when you need short strokes.

The problem with the CS machetes are the handles are kinda bulky. I have large hands so it doesn't bother me too much.
 
Personally, for light vegetation, I actually like the Gerber Gator machete. Anything heavier, and I really like the Gerber Brush Thinner billhook and the Cold Steel Spearpoint machete.
 
I just got a Himalayan Imports "Gelbu Special" Khukri, for my machete needs. Its beefy, but fast.
 
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