Machetes! Whatcha got? Gerber anyone?

Fletcher Knives

Fletcher Knives

STEEL BREATHING BLADE MAESTRO
Moderator
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
5,483
I'm looking at different machetes to add to the camping and hiking gear for this fall/winter/spring and wanted to see what everyone else is going with right now. I move through a lot of draws so having one is a big deal. I was looking at the Gerber Gator machete. It looks pretty decent for $17. Has anyone tried it? If not, what are you guys clearing the path with? I would be willing to spend more if someone showed me something that just made me drool.
 
If all you have is $6, get a Tramontina. They'd be a good buy at three times the price, but for $6 they're amazing. Martindale makes a solid product for $25. Great steel but they don't have the best fit and finish. Ontario gets high marks but I haven't tried one (yet). For $30 shipped I think the best deal going are the bolos from Reflections of Asia. Hand forged. Zone hardened. They're not wall hangers, they're villager grade workers. Good stuff, great prices, fast shipping, Jun is a good guy to deal with.

Frank
 
The Gerber brush thinner billhook is really good, I wouldn't recommend their Gator stuff.
It's CH-CH-CHINESE. And that to me means garbage.

Get an Ontario or a Tramontina.
I'd also avoid Cold Steels Latin machetes, they are 3 times the price of a Tramontina for basically the same style tool. The older Cold Steel machetes are ok if the handles fit you, some find them to be too big.
I haven't handled the new Cold Steel machetes so I can't comment on them.
 
I'd shy away from anything with a sawback.... the saws are usually nhot great performers, they're hazardous, (like a double edged knife) and you can't baton with them.
 
I agree about that sawback warning, you could end up mutilating yourself! Cold Steel Latin machete works and feels very OK for me at least, good grip and good edge. I massacred a vast area of overgrown river bank with one recently!
 
I agree with the posters that say get a Tramontina or an Ontario. Tramontina's are a little thinner than the Ontario's so they are a little better for brush, while Ontario's are a little better for heavy chopping. You should be able to get Tram's for under $7 and Ontario's for under $25. I have only tried a few Cold Steel machetes and while they weren't bad, I wouldn't choose one over the Tram's and Ontario's I have used. In my opinion, the best machete I have ever used was a Tramontina 14" Bolo, which is a hell of a chopper. It has a thicker blade than the normal Tram's and has more weight up front. Of course the 12" Tram isn't bad either, especially if you are backpacking or hiking with it.

Here are some of mine. I don't have a picture of my 22" one since my brother managed to steal it from me when we were dove hunting. :mad:
From top: 18", 13" Cane Knife, 12", 14" Bolo
P1060256.jpg
 
The Cold Steel latins are ok but the Tramontina stuff is a much better deal.
I've got a couple of the CS latins and they aren't terrible machetes, but they are
more expensive than the Tramontinas.

I just got some 14" and 18" Tramontinas to test and they are a nice blades.
I got the wood handled ones and the fit and finish is great.
They need a better sharpening like almost all machetes but the handles are beautiful.:thumbup:
 
I've got a Junglee bolo that used to see some use. I'm not in areas that thick very often, so it's not a common tool to need for me.

bolo1.jpg
 
I love the Junglee bolo. I also like their "short sword". I guess they didn't like the name "machete". lol
 
I like the Ontario best so far for chopping in the hardwoods around here.
I'm going to sharpen up the Tramontinas ans give them a try this weekend.
 
I have both Tramontina(12,16,18,20) and 18" Ontario(plain and sawback),but Tram are lighter,so I prefer them. 16" Tram is my favorite for last 10 years.
 
+1 for tramontina,ontarios are good,better edge holding but I've broke them before,think there tempered a little hard,but the loly tram keeps coming back for more!
 
I have a USGI with the issue sharpener sheath, think it is Ontario good for my use.

I had a cheap mini machete that was marked "Camp USA" it was stainless with a rubber handle, left in on the 4-wheeler all the time. Used at the sawmill last week to shorten slats to fit in my truck and left it on the bumper when I left. Loved that one, can't find it on any web search.
 
Gerber Brush Trimmer is freaking awesome. I've used alot of machetes to clear brush and limbs and the Gerber is by far the best the handle doesnt raise blisters and can be choked up on for close up work, thick enough for chopping and thin enough you wont tear your arm up if you have to swing it all day clearing land or blazing a trail threw the deepest jungle. I love mine so much I'm buying another so I'll have an extra just in case.
 
The Gerber bush trimmer could use a better sheath, I'm not too impressed with the zip-up nylon deal.
Other than that it's a wicked chopping tool.
The really good thing about it is it is designed by people living in a northern forest area (Finland) and isn't likely to be destroyed by chopping on a hard dry Maple.:D

I've rolled the edge of more than one cheap Chinese machete cutting on that type of stuff.:jerkit:
 
My two favorites are an Ontario 22 inch heavy duty and a Cold Steel Two Handed. The Ontario chops green wood like crazy! The Cold Steel is basically a modern version of a big cane knife, and is quite handy when I need a little more reach.

I have a Cold Steel Kukri Machete and 18 inch Bowie Machete, and I hope to find some Zombies to test them on because so far they are pretty much useless IMHO for chopping plants. :D
 
Revolvergeek said:
My two favorites are an Ontario 22 inch heavy duty and a Cold Steel Two Handed. The Ontario chops green wood like crazy! The Cold Steel is basically a modern version of a big cane knife, and is quite handy when I need a little more reach.

I have a Cold Steel Kukri Machete and 18 inch Bowie Machete, and I hope to find some Zombies to test them on because so far they are pretty much useless IMHO for chopping plants. :D
Click to expand...

I'm hoping to run across a few zombies out in "the cut" as well. lol. They're great for killin'. You don't even feel bad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top