Machetes!!!

B

Bloodydishtowel

Joined
May 7, 2013
Messages
163
So my collection is just beginning and I'd like to hear of any of your rare machetes or maybe just some you really really like (maybe your first?) my favorite is my Tramontina bolo that I call Trambo (haha :D) great chopper and comfortable as hell to use, I've also got a Gavilan Incolma machete that I found somewhere for $10! It's got the exact pattern of the Rozador like on Baryonyx but there's absolutely no info (not to mention almost all gavilans) on the interwebs so it'd be cool to know about that, I've also got a 14'' Tram latin that I recently stained the handles a deep red mahogany and it looks a bit blood stained, hot damn I love machetes! Ordering an Imacasa (my first) Burriquito from Bary tmrw, let's hear about your favorites and rares!!!:D
 
None of mine are exceptionally rare, but I have quite a few. Most of mine are from Condor, also several from Aranyik and Imacasa, one Marbles brand(though it was made by Imacasa), couple from Cold Steel, plus a couple big camp knives that are just a step down from machetes by Kershaw(I'm waiting for their Camp 14 and 18 which do qualify as machetes and are due out this year) and Ka-Bar, along with a Nepalese kukri from Khukuri House Thamel, and a cheapy United Cutlery machete. Also have a Windless Steelcrafts/Cobra Steel kindjal, which isn't technically a machete but has been tested pretty vigorously in that role by a guy I know(he says it passed his tests).

Right now, I've got all these:
Condor:Golok(my favorite), Village Parang, Barong, Engineer Bolo, Tapanga, Swampmaster, Outback Machete, Kukri machete, Thai Enep camp knife, Dundee Bowie
Cold Steel:Jungle Machete, 2-hand Kukri machete, Kopis machete
Aranyik:K-1 Enep, A3 Dao, 2013 E-toh(aka "Perfect Coconut Machete), Toong Northerner Pra, Thai Saber machete, 26'' Latin machete
Imacasa:18'' Colima, Burriquito, Cane Knife, Cazanga sickle
Marbles:Black Machete(aka "Black Scout Machete")
United Cutlery:Columbian Panga Machete(though amusingly enough, it is neither Columbian nor a panga, it's a parang)
Kershaw:Camp 10
Ka-Bar:ZK Chop Stick
Khukuri House Thamel:Service no. 1 kukri

When I get paid on the 20th I'll be ordering a Condor Parang, and a 2013 Full Tang Dao and 007(no relation to James Bond) Short Pole Pra from Aranyik.
 
My absolute favorite is the Condor Eco Survivor 18". It's incredibly comfortable to use, and the blade goes exactly where I want it to on every swing. It almost feels like magic compared to other machetes I've used.
 
I've got a Svord Golok that I haven't been able to use much yet. For $25 or so, I think it's really hard to beat my Ontario Military machete. It holds a good edge and I like the balance.
 
Dshiflet

I see you are a fan of Aranyik tools. I have 3 of their E-neps a 2, 0, and a -1. My favorite is the 0. Ugly but tough and effective.
 
At the moment I only have a CS kukri machete, a Ka-Bar grass machete, and an Ontario kukri machete; thought it's .25" thick. Not really sure why they call it a machete when it's really a thick chopping blade. It is a lot lighter than I expected though.

I'd like to get an Ontario 12" cutlass machete and a CS bowie machete.
 
Machetes are an awesome all around tool. with some experience you can do almost anything with one. This is my imacasa colima. I bought it in Guatemala for $4, and made a custom hardwood handle when i got home. This is my favorite machete by far. Although, i've never owned anything truly nice, like a TOPS or Fiddleback.
IMG_0199.JPG
 
I am a big fan of Ontario. I have an 18" & a modified 12". Great heat treat is VERY important in a thin/ish blade. Ontario & Condor have it down pat.
 
I have a few Filipino JEST bolos they're awesome to use and look at
Have a few O dynamics parangs,still want to get some authentic handmade parangs with wood sheaths
have a couple WW2 english bolos with leather sheaths(from Greece)super nice shape
 
no mine have the carabao handles,I do have a couple of tire handled non jest which are also excellent choppers.
 
I am really partial to the Cold Steel machetes. I have a Panga, Kukri, and Barong machete from them. I reground the Barong and it's by far my favorite. The Barong now has a proper primary/secondary grind.
 
me2 said:
I am really partial to the Cold Steel machetes. I have a Panga, Kukri, and Barong machete from them. I reground the Barong and it's by far my favorite. The Barong now has a proper primary/secondary grind.
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I have one of the Barongs (to specify to newcomers to the world of machetes I mean one of the old Chinese-made ones rather than the not-yet-released South African one) and while I like the quality I can't say I like the rubbery nature of the grip. Tacky rubber is probably the worst material imaginable for a tool like a machete since the handle needs to pivot at the forefinger/thumb and grippy material will cause rubbing/chafing and blisters with prolonged use. The security of your grip should come from the shape rather than the material. I like a solid, smooth polypropylene handle myself.
 
Oddly, I find the poly handle on the Panga to be uncomfortable when chopping, which the panga does better than the barong, likely due to the longer and thinner blade. It's not a shape thing. It aches my hand when cutting sturdy materials.
 
cool responses guys! I just got back in from a huge fire and finally got to test out my newly stained wood handled 14'' tramontina latin and am just in love with it haha, not as much power as the bolo but I find it helps me focus on more practical targets like 2'' living or dead trees which it excels fantastically at, sadly my friend and I were stupidly swinging close to each other and my BK9 took a bite out of the machete's edge near the tip (OOPS!) but hey shit happens I'll just repair it, I'm not a big fan of cold steel (at all...) but if you like and use them more power to ya. Danimal, that is a SWEET looking machete man, kudos! Having a custom handle really makes it feel like YOUR machete amiright?! haha
 
Dirtbiker said:
Dshiflet

I see you are a fan of Aranyik tools. I have 3 of their E-neps a 2, 0, and a -1. My favorite is the 0. Ugly but tough and effective.
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Yeah, their stuff is great. The K-1 is an absolute brute of a blade, it's not only extremely effective, it just looks like a beast. If I were in a Hollywood action movie, and I was gonna use a knife to intimidate or threaten someone...that's the one I'd pick.

Danimal, I love that custom colima. I have an Imacasa 18'' colima with the standard handle, and I like it a lot, it's one of my go-to machetes for working in the yard.
 
DShiflet said:
Yeah, their stuff is great. The K-1 is an absolute brute of a blade, it's not only extremely effective, it just looks like a beast. If I were in a Hollywood action movie, and I was gonna use a knife to intimidate or threaten someone...that's the one I'd pick.

Danimal, I love that custom colima. I have an Imacasa 18'' colima with the standard handle, and I like it a lot, it's one of my go-to machetes for working in the yard.
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Getting my first imacasa tmrw (Burriquito) :)
 
Bloodydishtowel said:
Getting my first imacasa tmrw (Burriquito) :)
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I like that one just cause it's so crazy wide. Your average person when they think of "machete" thinks of your basic, 18'' Latin pattern("the one like Jason uses in Friday the 13th!")...show em something like the burriquito, and they're in awe, lol.
 
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