Machetes, what are the better ones out there?

G

GREENJACKET

Joined
Feb 23, 2000
Messages
1,363
Mechetes have little commercial value as they are often cheap and chearfull. That does not mean that they have to be poorly made. Styles vary fom region to region and the locals seem to know what works.

Who makes them, what styles and where, what quality and where can you get them other than being there.

Lets see some pics of your favourites.
 
Here's a high dollar machete. Can't vouch for it though other than I know it got a pretty good review in one of the knife rags.
http://www.miamimachete.com/

------------------
Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Buy a Collins, if you can find one. They have been the machete of choice for many, many years in Central & South America in the banana plantations. A Great Machete.
 
Hart,
Collins used to be a great knife, while they were made here, but since the factories were moved closer to the end users they have bottomed out in the quality control.

A friend of mine went to Guatamala(sp?) several times over the last few years and brings back a few of them every trip. All but three of them have either been badly heat treated or the steel they are using is inconsistantly poor.
frown.gif

Dan
 
Thanks for the info so far, keep it coming.

I'll try to find out more on Martindale as they are closer to home.

Swampmaster and Rabbit were made by
frown.gif
 
I swear by the Tramontina machetes. These things are awesome. and you can't find a cheaper machete that works this good. to tell you the truth, with the way I have abused the two that I own I don't see the need to ever buy something else. They are GREAT!!

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive"


[This message has been edited by TheMartialWay (edited 05-01-2000).]
 
I'll second the motion for Tramontina. They're cheap and effective.
By way of contrast, I found the militairy issue handled poorly and slipped in my hand.

mosh
 
While not exactly termed a machete I like the blades made by Newt Livesay at Wicked KNives company. There are several excellant choices he has at reasonable prices.
 
The "best" machette I ever used was a $3.99 Brazilian P.O.S. Bolo that my friend owned. It would outcut my Ontario Gov't Issue every which way except perhaps in heavy chopping (stuff larger than 4"). I don't trust the gov't model anymore after mine broke unexpectedly while I was chopping briars and dinged it against some concrete. It has since been welded back together, but it was never anything but a mediocre tool.
 
Martindalle produce the British Army Gollock. I have used many of them and given them a real beating. However, they are soft and will not take an edge - the kind of edge I like. Though for some a safe edge on such a long blade may not be all bad. They are soldier proof and cost less than $10 to make.

Frank Vought, Louisiana, produced the Outfitter range that included a stylized kukri, Swamp Rabbit and Bushman among others. What I don't know is: are they still in production and were they any good?

I have Blackjack Marauder II which does the job, for British conditions (a wannabe axe). I bought it second hand, though mint and paid £60. What did they retail Stateside before Blackjack whent to the wall?

I've bust an Al Mar Pathfinder which is another high cost heavyweight.

The last two blades are heavy and best carried in a truck. What other light machette are out there?
 
Greenjacket,
That Brit.A. Gollock was tempered according to contract specifications. Their own blade are well tempered, and they sing like
Waterford crystal.
Dan
 
Hi,

Check out this German Machete, it is issued to Germam Soldiers wo visit "tropical" regions and the total length is only about 20" with a 14" blade but the contruction of it is ...... well German quality, razor sharp nice balance and comes with a very sturdy side opening tan leather sheath made to German Army standards.

look at the German Globetrotter Outdoorsport company at: http://www.globetrotter.de/de/htm_shop/detail.php3?artnr=hb-04-051

It costs about $45 but the way our Euro is falling against the allmighty $$
frown.gif
it gets cheaper by the minute.

Cheers from Holland,

Bagheera



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Dan K thank you for putting me right on the Martindalle's. I feel the need to make one of them sing and will try to place an order for a panga styled machette in the near future.

What else can we come up with?

[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 05-03-2000).]
 
Hey what about the United Spec ops ATS-34 machete, 3/16 inch thick. This seems to me to be a pretty decent blade for the money. Great steel, reduced in hardness for more toughness. It may be a little more than the average machete, but it is title machete nontheless.
 
Let me join the chorus of fans praising the Tramontina. One of the best danged internet buys in the world, Smokey Mountain or BLADEZ both have 'em cheap. I've got a couple of the 18" models, a 14" and a 12" model. I may give away the other 3 and buy 3 more of the 14" models to replace in all my BOB's. At $4 each for this model, I can afford to be a by-gosh big spender. The 14" model is long enough to do some serious work, still light enough to lash on the pack and it balances well in my hand, I vastly prefer it to the bigger models for MY purposes. A good tool and a decent weapon in a pinch. One on the pack goes along well with my BK-7 and Mora, a 9mm P-95 and a $3 Boy Scout walking stick. Yea, I will fear no evil feral pigs or wild dogs, nay, nor hillbilly hobgoblins, for my rod and my staff and a few choppers, they comfort me. Yea and verily.
I've no doubt some of the other fellows can make this mild steel blade warp by hammering it thru teak or pine knots, or wack enough wire and nails to give it a bad review. I don't care. It's still the best danged $4 I know how to spend. For the price of a ballpark hot dog and beer, order yourself a trio. One for the truck, one for the pack, one for the front door. Comforting. Verily. ;)
 
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