Machetes

I bought a Tramontina 14" Machete, two Ontario 12" Economy Machetes, an Ontario ONCT2 12" Sawback Machete, a Cold Steel Kukri 18" Machete, and a 24" Cold Steel Latin Machete. I also bought sheaths for all of them. So, I guess I'll soon see how they compare.
 
Teague said:
I bought a Tramontina 14" Machete, two Ontario 12" Economy Machetes, an Ontario ONCT2 12" Sawback Machete, a Cold Steel Kukri 18" Machete, and a 24" Cold Steel Latin Machete. I also bought sheaths for all of them. So, I guess I'll soon see how they compare.
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Awesome! Would like to know what you think about them all.
 
The machete is one of my favorite types of knives, and I have several machetes of different styles. In fact, the way got into knifemaking was by cutting down machete blades and customizing them to fit my needs. In my opinion, your personal needs are the deciding factor in buying or making any tool or weapon. For instance, the foliage or whatever you're planning to chop can determine the thickness and quality of the blade, so it's hard for someone else to tell you which machete to buy because they don't know what you're going to use it for. I have used Ontario and Cold Steel machetes and like both brands. Personally, i use a replica Gurka Kukri for most of my bushcutting, but have bought and made many brands and styles, and will probably continue to do so.
 
Out here in Idaho, I wanted something that would cut sage brush. When my Dad was a kid, they used it for making a cooking fire for their wood stoves and it burns hot and makes good coals for cooking. They used to cut brush and make a huge pile before winter set in. So, when I give these knives a try on sage brush, I'll let ya'll all know how they work.
 
I hope you haven't spent your money yet, have you seen the Condor machetes yet? http://www.condortk.com/. These come out of El Salvador and are just starting to be known here in the U.S.

My best friend has a heavily brushed and wooded piece of property and he has said that these cut better than any of the Cold Steel and Ontario tools he has. Even better, Condor is factory convexed and dangerously sharp which is far more than the other two can say. We've taken brand new Cold Steel machetes and watched them bounce right off branches and limbs without biting in at all.

They are definitely not in the $4 to $6 dollar range but in my opinion they're about ten times the tool that the others are.
 
I have almost 20 years behind the blade of a Ontario 18" Military spec machete. I mean, the same machete. I have used it for everything from chopping hardwood to clearing grass. It is still going strong. Only isssue in two decades was the rivits started to come loose after I decided as a teenager to use it as a thowning knife. I hammered the rivits back in and stopped throwing it. Now, I wrapped some grip tape around the handle and it has just enough traction without giving me hot spots.

I have tried most other machetes and large knifes. I think I am just too used to the 18" Ontario because I see everything else as not as good. Everything else is too short, too long, too heavy, too light, to stiff, too flexible, too this or too that. The Ontario is just so well balanced in every way.

This is one item that may well last me the rest of my life. I can't see any reason not to get one as they are only $20 or so. I think mine is a little thinner in the blade than the newer ones. My dad has a newer one and it seems stiffer and thicker. Mine is 20 years old so maybe they used to make the thinner. I am not sure.
 
I haven't seen anyone mention the Gerber Gator Machete. Not a small item with it's 17" blade. Especially notable for the saw blade which runs along the rear of the cutting edge. Two tools for the price of one, with a nice grippy rubberized handle. Comes with a nylon sheath. Mine is waiting for the zombie apocalypse to wreak some serious havoc.

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Thickness of the blade stock matters - should you decide to chop off more than a few vines and clear elephant grass.
Your basic machete is an agricultural tool made for places like cane plantations.
If you intend to clear fallen trees or dense woods, a machete is probably not the best tool for that, as its "steel hardness" may be far too soft to handle real woods.
So there are limits to what a machete can chop.
And yes, it is the distinct choice for many a "people's revolution".
Mostly I understand from the PRC...
 
Any sharpened machete will do if it comes to a SHTF scenario, the carotid artery doesn't respond well to a carbon steel 'blockage'. Tramontina makes a fine brush cutter, in my opinion.
 
I have both the Cold Steel Two-Handed Machete and the Ontario Beaver-Tail Machete.
The Cold Steel 2 handed is actually kind of hard to use, you have to use two hands and swing hard.
That Ontario Beaver-Tail is wicked... I have chopped two inch thick branches with one chop as well as chopping Coconuts with it. Its hard to miss with that rounded end of the Beaver-Tail, even though the blade isn't that long.
I have heard good things about the Cold Steel Kuhkri Machete.
There is a Chopping test on Knifetests.com featuring a CS Kuhkri Machete and a Gerber Hatchet. Very interesting results.

Yeah... Zombie Apocalypse!
 
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I like Tramontinas,for they are light and easy to sharpen,and I have many of those,and I like heavy and thick Ontarios,feels nice in hand,and I have three of those,from CS have only Magnum Kukri Machete,not so satisfied,it warped on heavier wood.But honestly,most of my work around house(and that is much more then I use machete in woods) for last 10 years I do with one 16" Tramontina,and I think it will be still here for next 20.Just have sprayed it in anti-rust colour.
 
i have cold steels magnum kukri and 18" spear point machetes.
the kukri (made in south africa) came with a poor rounded over edge, it sharpened up good with a little time on a benchstone. good blade for heavy chopping. the hard plastic grip is real agressive and uncomfortable so i wrapped it with paracord.
the spear point (china) came sharper and took a finer edge, it has a flatter edge profile, better for slicing. i really like this one, its kind of like a short gladiator sword, point is good for protection and finer tasks. the back 7" of blade can be sharpened for double edge fun. comfortable rubberish plastic handle.
great tools for the money, ive use them for clearing paths, choping wood, cutting down trees and building shelters, etc. they take a beating, hold an edge and sharpen up easily.

i just ordered sevreral tramontina machetes from smokey mountain, cant wait to see how they compare.

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It seems that only me was bad luck with CS magnum kukri machete.I`ll give them one more chance with some other model.
 
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