Machetes ??? Fiddleback Tops Esee Ontario How do they compare??

awh said:
Snody is selling a tactical machete now. Youtube vids of it look cool.
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I honestly see no reason why it should be considered as "tactical" in any way...it's bright and reflective and has no real differentiating features from most run of the mill Latin machetes of good quality other than a nicer surface finish and being made by $nody. And did you see the huge freaking burr on that edge? I dunno...I'm all for more high end machetes on the market but just don't see what's "special" about that one. :confused:
 
I agree.. The term tactical gets thrown around a little too much. I personally top out at around 100 dollars for a machete. Snody says his is 250.00. I see a lot more craftsmanship in the fiddleback handle too.
 
Smiddy, take a look at the Condor Pack Golok, Condor Village Parang, and maybe a couple of the Kabars like the Cutlass Machete if you like that handle style. I really like my Pack Golok. The Village Parang maybe a little better design.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I honestly see no reason why it should be considered as "tactical" in any way...it's bright and reflective and has no real differentiating features from most run of the mill Latin machetes of good quality other than a nicer surface finish and being made by $nody. And did you see the huge freaking burr on that edge? I dunno...I'm all for more high end machetes on the market but just don't see what's "special" about that one. :confused:
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Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I explained in the video that the burr on the blade was before stropping.
You seem intelligent, do you really think I sell knives with a burr on the edge?
Do you really believe that after 16 years of building knives that I leave a burr on the edge?
You are joking right.
Huge Respect from Texas.
[video=youtube;g6dGdsPWV3E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6dGdsPWV3E[/video]
 
awh said:
Snody is selling a tactical machete now. Youtube vids of it look cool.
Click to expand...

Thanks for dropping my name.. I appreciate it.
This is how I feed my family.. Huge Respect from Texas.
[video=youtube;PQsII9gRPNY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQsII9gRPNY[/video]
 
Smiddy said:
I agree.. The term tactical gets thrown around a little too much. I personally top out at around 100 dollars for a machete. Snody says his is 250.00. I see a lot more craftsmanship in the fiddleback handle too.
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Thanks for the post S.
I had a very difficult time hitting the price point of $250.00
There is so much real estate and we are using 1/2" thick Jade G10 Handles.
The G10 costs nearly $200.00 per square foot.. I use stainless corby bolts that cost $10.00
I have about $75.00 out of pocket expense in the handle alone.
These things are fully contoured and hand sanded to 600 grit.
It costs to be the Boss. I wish I could make them at a lower price point but is is not logistically possible.
I make about $16.00 an hour building a $250.00 Tejano Machete and I can not work for much less than that and still support a family of five.

The full edge is razor sharp and stropped on a buffer..
The knifemaking community is small and I try to show love to everyone.

Tactical Knives is doing a full feature article on the Mike Snody Tejano Tactical Machete.
The article will provide more insight into the "tactical" enhancements I incorporated into this design.

Have a great fathers day.
Much Respect from Texas.
 
OP, I'd say the Fiddlebacks are the best machetes you are gonna find, I love my 12". Someone else mentioned the BHK Outdoors Machete as well. They are great! I know the handle looks a little funny but when you get it in hand it's easy to see how functional it is. The sheath is kind of a bummer though, the retention with the shock cord is not such a great idea. The shock cord is always in the way when using the blade. I have David Brown making me a new open-spine kydex sheath for the BHK as we speak.
 
22-rimfire said:
Smiddy, take a look at the Condor Pack Golok, Condor Village Parang, and maybe a couple of the Kabars like the Cutlass Machete if you like that handle style. I really like my Pack Golok. The Village Parang maybe a little better design.
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I really like the village parang... I watched a video by equip2endure it looks like a good performer. It's on my short list. My list as it stands now is (not in any particular order)

1 condor village parang
2 fiddleback 12" 14" or 16" machete
3 tops machete
4 svord kiwi machete

My thinking is that I could by two instead of one if I pick certain machetes. I'm torn a little.
 
Snody said:
Thanks for the post S.
I had a very difficult time hitting the price point of $250.00
There is so much real estate and we are using 1/2" thick Jade G10 Handles.
The G10 costs nearly $200.00 per square foot.. I use stainless corby bolts that cost $10.00
I have about $75.00 out of pocket expense in the handle alone.
These things are fully contoured and hand sanded to 600 grit.
It costs to be the Boss. I wish I could make them at a lower price point but is is not logistically possible.
I make about $16.00 an hour building a $250.00 Tejano Machete and I can not work for much less than that and still support a family of five.

The full edge is razor sharp and stropped on a buffer..
The knifemaking community is small and I try to show love to everyone.

Tactical Knives is doing a full feature article on the Mike Snody Tejano Tactical Machete.
The article will provide more insight into the "tactical" enhancements I incorporated into this design.

Have a great fathers day.
Much Respect from Texas.
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Thanks Snody..
I appreciate the response and mean no disrespect. You made some valid points.. I have checked into prices on reworking the handles on some of my ontario machetes and it does get expense quick. I look forward to seeing that article, I follow TKMagazine regularly. I have a family of six.. So I feel ya in that respect as well.. Best wishes and a happy Father's Day to you too.
 
Smiddy said:
Thanks Snody..
I appreciate the response and mean no disrespect. You made some valid points.. I have checked into prices on reworking the handles on some of my ontario machetes and it does get expense quick. I look forward to seeing that article, I follow TKMagazine regularly. I have a family of six.. So I feel ya in that respect as well.. Best wishes and a happy Father's Day to you too.
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Thanks Fam. Happy fathers day man..
Dude, I am excited for you and I wish you luck on whatever you buy.
I love all Machete and I would be proud to own a Fiddleback or any other model mentioned in this thread.
Huge Respect from Texas.
 
It's a cool machete Mike. I'm not sure where you're buying your materials but a quick look on AKS shows you can get over a sq. foot of 1" jade g10 for under $60. Cut that inhalf and you have over two square feet of 1/2" jade g10 for under $60. Stainless steel corby bolts are under 2 bucks a pop. In reality you probably have under $20 in each handle. That's a far cry from $75. Not sure why you'd claim that. Hustlers gonna hustle I guess.


On the topic at hand I have a very large tramontia machete that works well.
 
Mike--I really hope you don't think I'm "hating on you." As I mentioned, I think that it's great seeing another premium machete on the market and it's obviously very well made. I was just surprised to see a wire edge that large on it, for starters, given the known quality of your work--I had honestly watched the video while I was a little distracted so I missed the mention of it being prior to stropping.

It certainly is a quality piece, no doubt about that, but I still fail to see what makes it "tactical" other than the word being in its name, and the pattern is a very typical one. A machete of nearly equal performance can be had for less than 10% of the $250 asking price even if it's not nearly as nicely put together with as premium of materials, so the choice to make a basic "Latin" pattern just doesn't bring anything unique to the table other than being very well made with high fit and finish and premium handle materials.

You make absolutely top-class knives and tools. I just feel this one is poorly positioned in the market relative to other expensive top-tier custom and semi-custom models, let alone the low cost alternatives thanks to the fairly generic pattern choice. But what do I know? You could sell a million of them, and I genuinely wish you the very best of luck with the endeavor. :):thumbup:
 
Jeremy Barnard said:
It's a cool machete Mike. I'm not sure where you're buying your materials but a quick look on AKS shows you can get over a sq. foot of 1" jade g10 for under $60. Cut that inhalf and you have over two square feet of 1/2" jade g10 for under $60. Stainless steel corby bolts are under 2 bucks a pop. In reality you probably have under $20 in each handle. That's a far cry from $75. Not sure why you'd claim that. Hustlers gonna hustle I guess.


On the topic at hand I have a very large tramontia machete that works well.
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Wow..
You started making knives last year and you enter this thread and show gross disrespect for me.
Sounds like you have it all figured out.. My cost of $75.00 includes labor and my custom made bolts.
Is Labor Free in your shop? Is business that bad that you feel the need to come here and insinuate that I am lying about material and labor costs.
I have a news flash for you Bro.. We do not all buy our screws off the shelf at the knifemaker supply shop.
I am really trying to be respectful to you but for the life of me and I can not imagine why you would make such a ignorant post.
How do you suggest cutting that stuff in half? Is the labor free to split those little pieces.
You are suggesting that I buy little pieces of 1" material and split them in half but you fail to add the labor cost and whatever blade you plan on using.
You will be buying a bunch of blades friend.. Where is your cost factor for that? You are out of your mind..
I talk to Chuck Bybee at AKS weekly dude. I said my material cost was $200.00 per square foot at a starting thickness of .750"
You say AKS has the same material for under $60.00 but that is just not factual and shows that you are an inexperienced knifemaker who has never filled an order for 100 Machete and does not realize that I can not buy small irregular pieces of G10 and split them in half to obtain the thickness required.. Dude are you for real??
Seriously Bro. Why all the Hate?? Can you just stay in your own lane and worry about your own business?
 
No hate here Mike. I just disagree with miss leading people that I've seen you do on more then one occasion. The people can look up the prices if they care to. This thread is way off topic so That's all I have to say. Have a nice day.


I also bought a cold steel bolo machete several years back. No problems with that one so far. I can understand wanting something of higher quality. Good luck with the search.
 
Jeremy Barnard said:
No hate here Mike. I just disagree with miss leading people that I've seen you do on more then one occasion. The people can look up the prices if they care to. This thread is way off topic so That's all I have to say. Have a nice day.


I also bought a cold steel bolo machete several years back. No problems with that one so far. I can understand wanting something of higher quality. Good luck with the search.
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Awesome..
I just looked at your website, have you ever even used G10 dude?
I am glad you can put on a handle for $20.00, in my shop it costs $75.00
I encourage the people to look at your work closely and then look at my work.
It is easy to see why your handle cost $20.00 and mine cost $75.00
I tried to call you but I can not find your number. My number is 361 443 0161
I really wish you would call me and we could just be friends.
Have a great fathers day.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Mike--I really hope you don't think I'm "hating on you." As I mentioned, I think that it's great seeing another premium machete on the market and it's obviously very well made. I was just surprised to see a wire edge that large on it, for starters, given the known quality of your work--I had honestly watched the video while I was a little distracted so I missed the mention of it being prior to stropping.

It certainly is a quality piece, no doubt about that, but I still fail to see what makes it "tactical" other than the word being in its name, and the pattern is a very typical one. A machete of nearly equal performance can be had for less than 10% of the $250 asking price even if it's not nearly as nicely put together with as premium of materials, so the choice to make a basic "Latin" pattern just doesn't bring anything unique to the table other than being very well made with high fit and finish and premium handle materials.

You make absolutely top-class knives and tools. I just feel this one is poorly positioned in the market relative to other expensive top-tier custom and semi-custom models, let alone the low cost alternatives thanks to the fairly generic pattern choice. But what do I know? You could sell a million of them, and I genuinely wish you the very best of luck with the endeavor. :):thumbup:
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Great Post but your argument lacks merit in the base case
You say "Top Tier Customs"

Name one Custom and I will send you a Free Machete.

Name one Top Tier Custom that did not start with a factory blade.

Lets start here.. I am custom knifemaker, I grind and heat treat my blades in Texas.
You have not named a single Custom Knifemaker who builds a true Custom Machete.
You are comparing a re-handle to a Custom Machete made by hand in Texas.

I challenge you to name one Custom Machete with an 18" Blade, hand rubbed finish and G10 handle in the World for $249.00
Just name one Accomplished Knifemaker producing an 18" Machete for $249.00.

I have not found one and I have looked and looked and looked..



You and I operate in different markets.
Some people want their blades hand ground in the United States by an American and that costs money.
I have spent alot of time in South America? Have you ever seen the workers making the Machete you are comparing to mine.
Do I need to post a video and show you the difference between my shop and a shop full of 13 year old kids grinding without glasses or ppe?
Apples and Oranges Bro.
Your a businessman, you understand that some people buy Timex and some people buy Rolex.
Does a Rolex work 10,000% percent better.. No, but when you sell your Rolex you get all your money back.
The same is true with my knives. We are in different markets friend. I am not trying to sell to your market or re-invent the wheel
I had a client order over 200 Machete for their SyMbol brand.. Death to Snakes Limited Edition. They called last week wanting more.
I do not build knives on speculation.. This is Serious Business for me.. Dro_fe of Symbol contacted me and placed a huge order.
I am not trying to sell anything or make anyone like my Tactical Machete. I love Machete and that is why I posted over here.
Have a great weekend.
[video=youtube;wRU8sN_l4KA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRU8sN_l4KA[/video]
[video=youtube;5wD7zDLcNw4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wD7zDLcNw4[/video]
 
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I think it's funny how we all have such strong opinions and view points when it comes to knives and knife making.8-) I think it's good for driving this market. Besides, as far as price goes, we the consumer control the price. If we won't pay it "they" cant sell it. Bottom line too is this.. They can be tools or toys(art/collectables). People get it done with affordable Mora's everyday but there nothing wrong with having something better. Like I said, for me, I top out at 100 dollars for a machete. I just don't feel like I would be getting that much more for my money, to pay more than for one. I do feel that there are some top contenders in that 100 price range. That's why I started this thread. I'm not a timex guy or a Rolex guy. More of a citizen/Suunto type guy. 8-). I don't mind beating up a 100 dollar bill( I do that every time I take my family out to eat lol)
 
I have no experience with the other ones mentioned in the thread (though I've spent plenty of time using a machete in general), but I got to pick up the Fiddleback machetes at Blade, and they have *very* comfortable handles.
 
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