Machetes for all occasions

[bearthedog]

In the mountains
a heavier 1/8” thick US made Ontario machete works fine!

18”

Tramontina 18” used in winter camp

Desert

I have used the Tramontina and Ontario in the Deserts of Arizona, Nevada, and Southern CA. They are good for gathering tall dead grass, got a decent amount of reach when checking out for snakes under rocks and in holes. This thin machete is also good for chopping up dried cow patties for a fire.

Tramontina 12”

Ontario 12” economy is the thin stock

Latin American Jungle style

Long, thin blades rule in the Rainforest.

All around Machetes (US and South America)

for camp and woodcraft

Barong Style Machete from Cold Steel. Around 1/8” thickness and has a thick enough bevel to withstand pine knots when splitting wood. The useable sharp tip is a plus. The sweet spot is closer to the center than out front like on most machetes. Good for both the jungle and the woods.

Tramontina 14” bolo

After a MOD

Ontario 12” Machete

Marbles 14” Machete

Tramontina 10” Machete

While not machetes these are used in the jungles of Southeast Asia


Malaysian Parangs

Filipino Bolos

Thai blades

There are many other environments I did not cover so if anyone wants to add the arctic, open prairies, or swamps, feel free to share.

-RB

 

[gadgetgeek]

Wicked looking collection!
You seem to be the guy to ask, so here goes. I'm currently looking for a machete, living on the sunshine coast of Oz, and I'm not sure what I'm looking for. My dad had a 28"or so stanley machete he got in PNG, and it did the job on lots of small Canadian prairie willows, but that's the only machete I've used. I had a KA-bar khuk, so I've got a bit of experience with stiff heavy blade choppers. So for semi-tropical areas, what is your top choice? I don't expect to be going after any ironbark or anything, but for the softer stuff any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[bearthedog]

Wicked looking collection!
You seem to be the guy to ask, so here goes. I'm currently looking for a machete, living on the sunshine coast of Oz, and I'm not sure what I'm looking for. My dad had a 28"or so stanley machete he got in PNG, and it did the job on lots of small Canadian prairie willows, but that's the only machete I've used. I had a KA-bar khuk, so I've got a bit of experience with stiff heavy blade choppers. So for semi-tropical areas, what is your top choice? I don't expect to be going after any ironbark or anything, but for the softer stuff any ideas?
Thanks!

When I was in Queensland, Australia I had a Swiss Army Knife and was fine, but I was in areas that were heavily traveled. In places where a trail needs to be cut or areas for making a camp I would treat it like the Rainforest it is and go with an 18” long machete, but not in Brisbane. All the way up to Northern Territory (Darwin) and even to Port Douglas----all machete neighborhoods.

-RB

 

[coaldigger]

Nice collection ! I like a good machete & have found that the "Cheap" Tramontina machetes are awsome after a little TLC !

 

[blt-2-drg]

I just ordered a few Tramontina machetes to play with thanks to you!

Nice post and pictures.

 

[bearthedog]

Nice collection ! I like a good machete & have found that the "Cheap" Tramontina machetes are awsome after a little TLC !

You got a mean tool built for long term use!

I just ordered a few Tramontina machetes to play with thanks to you!

Nice post and pictures.

Which ones did you get?

 

[gadgetgeek]

Hey thanks! I'll keep an eye out for something in that range. While I'm stuck in the sub-urban jungle north of Brisbane, I don't figure I'll need much more than a Vic, I an trying to get further afield, and the proper tools always helps. from what I've seen so far, its not really axe type country!

 

[CShepherd]

Great information. Lots of people want to discount a machete remembering using one as a kid and it being dull as a rock. When properly sharpened a machete can do lots. I like the fact they're light and quick to carry and use.

My favorite for the area I live and play in (East TN, North GA, etc) is the 12" Tramontina. Has enought heft to do some larger branches but will zing through vines and such easily enough.

Charlie

 

[Sharp Knives 86]

Wicked collection. I think I may have said this in a different thread but I'm in love with the stripped 18" Ontario with micarta scales. Just a sweet looking blade. I also like the look of the rattan wrapped Filipino bolo.

 

[BITEME]

Just got me 10" parang and a 12" ray mears style parang from outdoor dynamics(like the one w/red handle in the pics),I really like them been out chopping,extremely easy to carry and hold a decent edge,the sheaths are a little sub-par but that's okay for the price.

Hey Bear, thanks for all the tips and interesting reads definitely am impressed with Filipino and Malaysian craftsmanship it's tops.

 

[bearthedog]

Just got me 10" parang and a 12" ray mears style parang from outdoor dynamics(like the one w/red handle in the pics),I really like them been out chopping,extremely easy to carry and hold a decent edge,the sheaths are a little sub-par but that's okay for the price.

Hey Bear, thanks for all the tips and interesting reads definitely am impressed with Filipino and Malaysian craftsmanship it's tops.

A few months back I went with Nadir from Outdoor Dynamics and we took a road trip to see the Bidor maker near Penang, Malaysia. They have a cool factory/showroom full of all types of Parangs.

-RB

 

[bearthedog]

Great information. Lots of people want to discount a machete remembering using one as a kid and it being dull as a rock. When properly sharpened a machete can do lots. I like the fact they're light and quick to carry and use.

My favorite for the area I live and play in (East TN, North GA, etc) is the 12" Tramontina. Has enought heft to do some larger branches but will zing through vines and such easily enough.

Charlie

One of my favorites.

Wicked collection. I think I may have said this in a different thread but I'm in love with the stripped 18" Ontario with micarta scales. Just a sweet looking blade. I also like the look of the rattan wrapped Filipino bolo.

 

[Joezilla]

Jeff Randall pic

Salamander research

 

[Joezilla]

 

[Joezilla]

They also do well at dress up events

 

[Joezilla]

and of course, perfect for weddings

 

[Joezilla]

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I always love those pics. Nothing like machetes to put a smile on my face!

 

[TheGame]

I always love those pics. Nothing like machetes to put a smile on my face!

I, personally think he doesn't have enough.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Duh. There's NEVER ENOUGH!