Machetes?

G

GenerallyAwsomeDude

Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
505
I couldn't find a machete forum, so I hope i'm in the right place. I'm in the market for a machete. Tell me what I should get. What style? Golok? Kukri? Latin? Bolo? Parang? Sax? What size blade? 18 in.? 24 in.? What specific company and model? Cold steel? Condor? Ontario? ESEE? Kabar? I know most of you probably haven't had experience with all of these, but tell me what you have and why you love it. Thanks-Josh.
 
I've got an old 18" Tramontina that has never let me down and I've abused it around the ranch for at least 20 years. I think you can still pick them up for $10 or so if you look around.
 
What are you planning on using it for? Style depends on use.

Get one with a heavier tip if you plan on cutting thicker things, get a parang if you're cutting woodier things.

Condor machetes are made by Imcasa IIRC, they're very good quality. Tramontina is a workhorse that will be a great machete as well.
 
Sporkman said:
What are you planning on using it for? Style depends on use.

Get one with a heavier tip if you plan on cutting thicker things, get a parang if you're cutting woodier things.

Condor machetes are made by Imcasa IIRC, they're very good quality. Tramontina is a workhorse that will be a great machete as well.
Click to expand...

i thought tramontina were made my imacasa, and condor make their own? i could be wrong though. i do know that imacasa make the blade for the esee machete though. and like sporkman said, the style of the machete definitely depends on how you're going to use it.
 
Nope! Imacasa is Condor's parent company. Tramontina is Brazilian. Imacasa/Condor is El Salvadoran. :)

I like pretty much all machete manufacturers and patterns, but my preferences lean towards Condor/Imacasa pieces in the 20-24" length. I've gotten plenty of mileage out of my Viking model, which is a 20" panga with a partial back edge. :D:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
Need more information. As the OP points out, there are many different styles of "machete", and the best buy will depend on what you intend to use it for.

For example, a big two foot long heavy blade gollick is great for clearing jungle, but not much good at shaving kindling strips.
 
What are you looking to spend here? That would very much alter my recommendations.

I do love my khukuri though...
 
My experience: 1)Ontario-very good machete 2)Tramontina -very good machete and excellent value for around $6 3)Marble-O.K. machete 4)Gerber-overpriced and disappointing-just not very good.
 
What kind of brush, in what environment, and what kind/diameter of wood? :)
 
I use an Ontario 18" and some South or Central American machete in 24" length. I much prefer the Ontario for my work because I can use it in tighter quarters than the longer, lighter blade. The long one is too whippy, tending to deflect sideways in a manner that leads to unpredictability. The Ontario is thicker, heavier, and better steel. Neither would be very good for chopping wood. For that an axe or a khukuri would be a lot better. I use saws for hard woods, as they are safer, faster, more efficient. Machetes are great for trimming succulents and woody brush that a saw would be useless in. Horses for courses.
 
If you think you might be doing more brush clearing, then something longer (say, 18") and lighter (5/32" thick) would do the trick. Condor Eco-Lite would be my choice. If you're leaning more toward processing wood, then something shorter and thicker, like a Condor 14" El Salvador, a 12" Ontario Cutlass, or a Condor Golok sounds about right. Me? My yard beater is a Tram bolo, never let me down. My camping 'chete is currently a Cold Steel 18" Barong. but I just got a Condor Golok, and this thing is schweeet! BTW, all of the above suggestions are well under $50, but the Condors typically don't come with sheaths (they run about $20-25).
 
GenerallyAwsomeDude said:
Everything Northwest. As thick as I feel like. =]
Click to expand...

Gotta' say, this was one of the best replies I think I've ever read.:thumbup: I'll have to remember this in case I ever get asked this again, except "Everything in northern Minnesota, and as thick as I want." We have hardwoods and soft woods (although, this time of year, they're all pretty hard). We have light, skinny brush, and we have thicker, woodier brush!;)
 
J.Davey said:
Gotta' say, this was one of the best replies I think I've ever read.:thumbup: I'll have to remember this in case I ever get asked this again, except "Everything in northern Minnesota, and as thick as I want." We have hardwoods and soft woods (although, this time of year, they're all pretty hard). We have light, skinny brush, and we have thicker, woodier brush!;)
Click to expand...

Why, thank you. I feel as if the kukri side of this forum is not well backed and represented. What do you guys think of Cold Steel machetes? like the 18'' latin, the magnum and regular kukris? I'm leaning to the Condor Golok. Are the cold steel machetes as thick? Thanks for all the help guys. -Josh.
 
Well, in my mind, machetes and khukhris are two very different tools for two very different jobs. I have my 15" HI AK for heavy chopping work and wood processing...things I wouldn't think about using my 18" machete for.

hi2.jpg
 
Well, i'm talking about the longer thinner machete ones. I already have Beckers for wood processing. BTW, what is that kinda cut-out of the blade on your Kukri for? You know, where a choil usually is.
 
GenerallyAwsomeDude said:
BTW, what is that kinda cut-out of the blade on your Kukri for? You know, where a choil usually is.
Click to expand...

It's called the Cho and is a feature found on all traditional khukhris. From the HI FAQ:
Cho - also called a kauri or kaura. a small notch in blade near handle.
"It has various meanings according to various people. A few are: the clitoris of Kali, the penis of Shiva, Surya ra Chandra (sun and moon, symbols of Nepal), a "Kowdi" ('cow-track' because the cow is sacred to the Hindus), a blood drip, a substitute guard, and on and on and on. Take your pick. The true meaning has been lost in time so today it is anybody's guess". -Bill Martino
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top