Machetes - What is Your Choice?

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cgusek111

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I have been looking into the high carbon Ontario machetes, but I had a bad experience with the Pilot Survival Knife (although I loved the sheath). Anyone had any experience with the Ontario Machete (the one with the thicker steel)? Do you know of any other brands that will do the job well? I'm looking to spend $30-$40.
 
I have never used an Ontario, but I have used numerous Tramontina's and they are great. If you are going to be doing mainly heavy chopping then the heavier Ontario is probably what you want. If you are going to be chopping thinner brush, grass, vines, etc... then the Tramontina's will work great. I should note that the Tramontina's do chop well, as I have taken out my fair share of 3-4" thick cedar trees, mesquite trees and 2x4s with them. If you are going to get one, I would go with the bolo since it has a thicker blade than the other Trams.

I have a Tramontina Cane Knife, a 12", a 14" bolo, two 18" and a 22" and all of them hold a great edge and get scary sharp. Tramontina's cost $5.99-$6.99 (depending on whether you get a wooden or plastic handle) at Smoky Mountain Knife Works.

P1060256.jpg

Top to Bottom - 18", Cane Knife, 12", 14" Bolo
 
I have a 12 inch ontario and couldn't be happpier it chops well and is thinck enough to take a baton without chewin it to bits the edge needed to be reworked a little when I got it but I'm pretty happy pver all.
 
ontario's are the best. but dont get the ones with the saw teeth on the back.,,,VWB.
 
When I need to go through the thicker stuff, I use my 12" Ontario, it works great, and like they said, for the thinner bush the others. It's got some weight to it, you wouldn't want to be swinging it all day like you could with a lighter/thinner machete.
 
I have a couple no-name chinese 12 inch machetes , a 20 inch and a 24 inch okapi , and in the not too distant future , a Golock from Valiantco

the thicker ones are actually OK , they do hatchet type work , but I am not real fond of the short thick slab kinda knife . they are a fair weight for a short knife .

THe Okapis are longer , tho thin , they pack a hell of a punch , are magic on weeds and vines , and green branches up to about 1 - 2 inches no worries , they hold an edge longer than the chinese jobs . After having used the 24 inch version , the 20 feels way short and lacking , the 12 inch chinese jobs feel like slabs of mild steel and about as useful ... thats just my impression tho but its a pain to carry , its a flaming big knife . My shorter 20 inch version actually sees the most work and is more than adaquate for what I need it for .. its just more fun with the bigger one

THe Valiantco golock I havent got yet .. so Im stll dreaming about it ... the paypal account is looking healthy enough , Im just waiting for him to have the ones I want back in stock .

Ontario machetes are thin on the ground here I havent got one and havent used one .
 
See if you can find a USGI one. I had mine for about 10 years and going strong.
 
I think I will go with the 12" Ontario. What I plan on doing is modifying the blade for an all around utility knife for chopping, gutting fish, etc. I will shorten the blade to 10.5" and giving it more of a blade style like the Cold Steel Light Machete, but with a slight curve to the blade and more angle. I did this about two years ago with a thin blade machete and it didn't work out. I just can't find anything that will suit those needs, so I'll make it myself out of a decent, thicker machete.

Someone mentioned the Becker Brute, but I'm not to fond of it. Buying knives on the net that I can't get locally is a trial and error thing for me.
 
I use the Tramontinas from 10 to 18 inches and like them very much. The best of the bunch to me are the 14, 16, and 14 inch Bolo. The Ontarios are heavyweights and a good buy. I have a 12 inch and like it very much it is very good for chopping out woody brush but it lacks reach for clearning trails and requires alot of bending for working close to the ground.

A good rule of thumb is that if the machete is going to spend the bulk of its time on the belt or in a sheath on the pack then go for a shorter blade for packability. If it is going to spend alot of time in your hand as in clearing land or trails then go longer, you'll apreciate the reach. Woody brush requires a heavier blade, grasses and fleshy plants a lighter blade. Think, "How long could I swing this thing before I wear out?" Mac

Edited to add - There is no one design that is best. Alot depends on the vegitation type and your physiology. If you are Arnold and can swing a long heavy blade without tiring then go for it. Pick the blade that is right for you where you intend to use it and don't worry too much about who uses what where.
 
This is it. I bought the Ontario. It's great. I took to the lake and field tested. Stays sharp and easy to sharpen. I still have to finish the blade work.
P9160060-1.jpg
 
I got the idea from a fixed blade I saw here at the forums that someone was selling or trading. Only his was smaller and had the serrated back and was also hand made. It's a great design. I like the Rambo knife, but it looks too wide and bulky for me. I'm not as big Sly.
 
Standard 1-18 Ontario Machete modded by Scott Gossman.

Cuts like a razor.

Machetemodificationbygossman.jpg


It was fully convexed and the handle slabs are black linen micarta with brass pins.

AWESOME!

Here it is in use on a winter camping trip in Northern NY this past Feb. Cut through this tree in a matter of minutes. The 18" machete is not usually considered a good hardwoods chopping tool but I disagree. It doesn't bind and it has enough heft to get the job done.
GOSSMANMACHETE.jpg
Kevchopping.jpg
 
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