Machete?

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shandrydan1

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I'm trying to decide on a machete and dont care to spend a whole lot on one. I have some shooting lanes and deer stands I am going to be cleaning up and clearing around for this season. I'm looking at the Cold Steel Magnum Kukri, the Gerber Gator, and the Sogfari. They are all around the same price from what I've seen so should I just get one and go with it or is one actually better than the others?

Thanks!
 
I have a Magnum Khukri, and I'm sure there's little difference in other machetes/khukris with the same geometry and dimensions like the ones from Condor and HI. For the price though, and considering what I've put it through, I can honestly say that it is easily my best blade purchase. Compared to those other 2 however (Gator & Sogfari), it's a no-brainer. I also considered them before I got the Magnum Khukri. The only thing I would have started to complain about was the flimsy sheath, but it has become so minor of a factor than when I first opened it up. I'm planning to have one made in Kydex, or have a kydex shell folded over it.
 
Between those three? Definitely the Cold Steel. However my preference is STRONGLY for Condor, Imacasa, and Tramontina machetes (in that order). If you're looking for a budget high-quality machete you might check out the Condor 18" Eco-Survivor machete. MUCH nicer than any of the Cold Steel models (which are actually made by Lasher Tools of South Africa). Cold Steel gets the job done, but they aren't my first second, or even third choice.
 
I agree with 42. I will also say that Ontario machete's are a great value, if you can re-work the edge, and or change/modify the handle scales. They are 1095 and have a tough HT.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Between those three? Definitely the Cold Steel. However my preference is STRONGLY for Condor, Imacasa, and Tramontina machetes (in that order). If you're looking for a budget high-quality machete you might check out the Condor 18" Eco-Survivor machete. MUCH nicer than any of the Cold Steel models (which are actually made by Lasher Tools of South Africa). Cold Steel gets the job done, but they aren't my first second, or even third choice.
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This man speaks the truth. I don't have many condor products but what I do have are steals for the price.
 
I sound like a broken record on machetes. I know you are looking for budget... been there. The regular Ontario machetes are not real hand friendly unless you are tough or you spend time and rework them. My favorite is the Condor Golok and it you want a bit more reach, the Condor Parang. These are vey hand friendly designs. The sheaths that are provided with the budget machetes are either non-existant or very cheap. The leather sheath for about $25 that Condor makes is premium. If you get someone to make you a sheath, it will likely run in the $50 area whether it be leather or kydex. I like kydex sheaths for machetes... very tough.

I agree with 42.
 
I looked at the Condor stuff and do like them but they are almost out of my price range for what I want to pay. The Imacasa and Tramontina are more along the lines of what I want to spend. How are their factory grinds/edges?

And if I went with Condor it would probalby be the Eco-Survivor model. I've just got other hunting gear I'm goin to have to pick up and the machete is on the lower part of that list.
 
My personal experience is you buy an inexpensive machete and the next year you buy what you hope is better. That has been my path. I'm at the Condor point now or around $50 for both the machete and sheath. The Condor Puerto Rican model is a wicked machete but I like the handles on the Golok and Parang much better. Been sanding on my Puerto Rica handle to get it where it is more comfortable.
 
Just make sure you get one of the 2011 ones. They have a heavy nylon sheath that comes with them now (the 2010 ones had no sheath available) and the spine of the blade is now squared rather than being left as-stamped (at least the ones that have come through the shop so far have been) so they're ready to use as a fire steel striker. The handle is the most comfortable and versatile you're likely to find on a classic Latin-pattern machete, and the orange handle will keep you from losing it if you set it down.
 
Machete? Yeah, decent movie. Lindsay Lohan gets naked, but Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez unfortunately remain clothed. Steven Seagal's character is hokey, but overall the action is pretty goo.....oh wait, you were talking about the actual knives. Shoot..sorry,
 
own both an Ontario 18" machete and kurkri both are great for price
about $25 will get you machete and sheath(sold separately usually). mine didn't come too sharp but on the plus it is 1095 steel and .125 thickness which is above most competition although you may prefer slimmer. i got the d-ring handle i wear gloves anyway when handling anything that big and doing jobs with shock.
Kurkri is around $55 if i recall. 1095 .25 thick came sharp. sheath is absolutely terrible but for another $10 get a camillus leather gurkha sheath that fits perfect. kraton handle
 
shandrydan1 said:
The Imacasa and Tramontina are more along the lines of what I want to spend. How are their factory grinds/edges?

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They are fine. People all over the world are using Trams and Martindales to clear light brush/vegetation as we speak. And they are cheap.

You want "sexy" or "fancy"...you pay more. You want a pefectly functional machete and don't care that it's not marketed as a "tactical machete" or "Eco-survival machete" or "bushcraft machete"...then got a Tram or Martindale.
 
I've got the CS Magnum Kukri. Pretty tough stuff. Blade was dull out of the box....not a big deal. A few minutes with a file and sandpaper did the trick. Hacked away a sizable dead bush behind the house. Blade still sharp after that. Sheath is junk but works. Mine had an annoying click in the handle; poorly molded I guess. So I just gave it a couple wacks with a hammer to break off the plastic handle to expose a fairly full tang....pretty cool. Slap some rosewood handle on it (not pretty....oh well, it's a machete) and did a paracord wrap to give it more bulk. Works fine but the paracord wrap will blister your hand if you go at it for too long. Gloves recommended ;)

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The Gator and Sogfari are jokes for serious use. The Bear Grylls machete is much less of a joke, but nowhere near as high quality as other machetes in the price range. The CS machetes are pretty good, but they need a serious sharpening (bastard file is quick and easy) out of the box. Although I can't vouch for them personally, I have heard high praise from Condor and Ontario machetes.

Just remembered another option for smaller budget machetes: Marbles. All of the ones I have seen have pretty good reviews, and they are sturdy built. Nothing fancy and amazing, but sturdy and pretty well built gets the job done.
 
I'm diggin that rosewood handle and paracord grip. That is a cool looking blade style too. I have an old 22" Ontario that does just about anything I need out of a machete but I can see myself buying one of those if they are not too expensive
 
Oh yeah--I forgot to mention about the grinds on the Imacasa/Tramontina models:

The factory grind on the Tramontinas is better than on the Imacasas, but the Imacasas are higher performance once tuned up. Either way, expect to do some filing, as they typically come beveled but not sharp.
 
Yea, +1 on the Magnum Kukhri edge needing a bit of work after you get it. Mine looked like it was just roughly ground on a bench grinder and had a huge burr that they didn't even bother to remove, and just coated over the whole blade. Touched it up with a bastard file and some sandpaper, and it's been pretty sweet ever since. That sticker on the blade though...damn.
 
I can tell you that the Tramontina machete is very reliable and can be very sharp. I have one that I use for many years (im from Brasil) and it is still shaving. You can also buy an unsharpened blade, it comes with a scandi grind and you can finish the blade yourself.
 
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I like my Barteaux & Sons machete. I've had mine for years and it's never disappointed me. They're made in the USA, too.
 
It's hard to go wrong with a condor they may cost a bit more than your average machete like a Tramontina or an Imacasa but I find the F&F to be very nice and with the wide variety of blade profiles they offer their is the perfect one for just about every job, for an all-around general use machete I have grown atatched to my Condor Golok.
 
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