Machetes, what are the better ones out there?

If you can find one, buy a Gavilan machete from Incoma Colombia. I have a short example with a 10" blade that has been an excellent camper's companion for years. Even though the blade is made from 1/16" stock it actually tapers to 1/32" near the point and the temper rings like a bell. The handle is riveted hard plastic, but unlike the US military version it is comfortably shaped and texured for a reliable grip.

n2s
 
does anyone know if tramontina machetes are carbon steel I assume they are and what about blade thickness my guess is 1/8" ?

and prices where can I get one of these?

they look great my style for sure!

thanks
 
Don't look any further....buy a Becker Patrol Machete and be set for life. Any of the BK&T products manufactured by Camillus are blades you can stake you life on. I have a Patrol Machete and it just "sings" through anything I put it to.
:cool:
 
chris, you can find Tramontina machetes at Smoky Mountain Knife Works. They run from around $4.00 to about $10.00 for the largest one (22 inch blade). The thickness on the 12 incher I got is 1/16, but it seems to have a really great temper. It takes and holds a ridiculously sharp edge for a machete, and has the "ring" of a much more expensive blade when you tap the side with your thumbnail. The only thing I didn't like was the handle. It was solid and comfortable, but it wasn't mounted symetrically with the blade; it was wider on the right side than the left. A minor quibble, but it sort of bugged me. I took off the original handle and am going to rehandle with some nice wood one of these days. With a really nice handle to complement the blade, it will be a great brush cutter.
 
I attempted to purchase a machete from Martindale after reading a glowing review on it in Tactical Knives, think it was their Jungle Knife. The price in the US was somewhere around $50 so I was pretty pleased when they said that they would sell me one for £12.

Unfortunately it turned out that their policy is not to sell machetes (baring their gollok, I think) within the UK unless it is to members of the armed services. Their management were very concerned lest some nut-case uses one of their products in a massacre. I got the impression that it was more a matter of their management being concerned lest the media discover that it was their machete used in a massacre. :barf: Which is why they probably have no trouble sending them to places like Burundi, Rwanda, Zimbabwe etc. But that might be uncharitable. :rolleyes:

In any event that was rather a disappointment, (really pissed off!). If any of you chaps in the UK happens to be in the armed services, or have more luck than I did…any chance of doing some sort of trade? :D Other-wise, if I want that particular model, it looks like I will have to buy it on a trip to the USA and bring it back in my luggage!!
 
chrisaloia
The tramontina machetes price in Brasil are 1 or 2 dollars(10", 12", 14", 16", 18") and 2 or 3 dollars(20", 22", ...).:D All are in carbon steel.
 
Chris,
Expect to pay ~ $5.50 for these at Smokey Mountain Knifeworks, I repeat my recommendation on the 14" model...it really DOES feel right in my big ol' paw. While you're ordering from Smokey Mountain, pick up one of their Frosts Swedish Army knives @ $7. Even when the knife budget is tight, these plastic handled Moras and the 14" Tramontina are worth much, much more than they cost, IMHO.
 
Price correcction. I was looking through my latest SMKW catalog, and found that the prices for ALL their Tram machetes were $5.50, regardless of size. It had been a while since I had read that catalog, so I was a bit off on the price. If you decide to get the 14 incher, the bolo model would be ideal. After all, if you're going for the extra length, why not have a bit more mass out front as well? I like the 12 inch machetes, myself, but bolos are really nice to.

And I will definitely second the reccomendation to get a Frost Swedish Army Knife. That is the BEST $7.00 knife you'll ever find. Sandvik stainless, a comfortable handle, and a sheath that's better than a lot that come with much more expensive knives.
 
I used to have a 14" Tramontina, and they are very commendable, especially for the price.

I replaced it with a machete that my ex (still best friend) brought me back from her six month field biology stint in Ecuador, Panama, and Costa Rica. It's a Promedoca, made in the Dominican Replublic. It has an 18" blade, and is about 23" overall. It takes a sharp edge, resharpens very easily, takes a lot of use to dull, and has survived unfazed through the sorts of incidents that would have left large nicks in my Tramontina. It's very slender and fairly light.

I have used it mostly for clearing brush around my house, and chopping things just to play around and test it. I also keep it near my bed, and I take it with me for hikes as protection against feral pigs.
 
C-Claycomb, you are quite right, Martindale just doesn't want to get sensationalised by British Press phobia of all things weapon like. The home market is extremely small, so why make yourself a target. Remeber the hysteria with the GB company that exported cattle electric rods, and the machete wielding maniac who was beaton off by the most brave teacher but not before he seriously wounded serveral people.

The Gollock is made for the British Armed Forces and I believe even made slightly soft to make it even more squaddie proof. However the machetes are seriously good. Don't worry, give me some time, as I'm trying to get a retail company up and running and we want Martindale in our product mix - by hook or by crook ;)

Note: Martindale products are priced to what the market can handle in a particular country. Thats just business :(
 
I will order one pretty soon.

thanks

chris


V- yeah the 14" bolo is the one no doubt.
 
If you look on the Martindale site you will see they do a whole range of styles. You just have to buy them by the crate.
 
Daren (from the web page Chris posted) can get them is smaller quantities than the case, and he's a good guy to do business with.

Pat
 
Military issue Martindale machettes turn up at militaria/Antique fair's here in the UK, usually for @ £20 for one with it's original leather scabbard.The one I picked up is dated 1952 and has an awful handle , some sort of fibre held on by 3 copper rivet's. I suppose it could be re-handled easily if you wanted to .Probably not as cheap as buying by the crate , but if you want only one it's an option.
Greenjacket , if your company get's going , what else are you going to sell? Will it be a brick's and mortar shop ? or internet based ?
Paul.
 
Call me cheap but I have had and totally abused an Ontario Spec Plus survival machette for some years. Its still going strong. And Greenjacket you would like the colour its black, would match nice with the uniform metalware.
 
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