Need a good machete for home use.

S

Spyderco-man

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Feb 3, 2013
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I used the search engine and have some ideas. I need a good all around machete for the yard. Mostly for clearing small junk trees, brush clearing, etc. I'm mostly confused about ideal blade shape. I'm not so concerned with blade retention as I will be sharpening it before each use, but I don't like em too soft like the cheap hardware store models I've had in the past. I want to spend around 30-$50. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Not needed for zombie killing btw. I have that covered already.
 
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Either Ontario or Cold Steel would be your best bet for that price range. It's hard to go wrong either way. The Ontario are American made, while the Cold Steel have more variety to pick from.
 
I second the Ontario suggestion and have another. Several years ago we got 5 Tramontinas in a package for less than $35 shipped. Excellent machetes all. I am sure they are still less than $10 apiece these days.
 
I have a 14" Tramontina from Baronyx Knife Co. that has been a hell of a performer for under $20.

The point on it can be a bit of a hazard though (I just stabbed myself in the knee with it last weekend, lol,) so you may want to look at a bolo pattern. I've heard great things about the Marbles bolo machete and just ordered one.
 
Imacasa or Tramontina. No need to spend a ton of money on a machete.
 
Ontario with the 12" blade. Its not as inexpensive as the south american brands but many of those come to your door unsharpened. The Ontario is by no means pricey as far as knives go ($20-30)and the 1095 steel is nicely coated. Also available in sawback.. Make sure you check to see if it comes with a sheath. Some of them have the sheath sold separately. Hope this helps.
 
Spyderco-man said:
I need a good all around machete for the yard. Mostly for clearing small junk trees, brush clearing, etc. I'm mostly confused about ideal blade shape.
Click to expand...

You want a simple, middle of the road 18" "latin" pattern machete made by any central or south american manufacturer. Don't spend more than $20.

Once you use it for for a few months you can then decide if you need a more specialized pattern. You probably won't.

Some Points:
Longer machetes equate to less bending over. 12" Machetes suck for clearing ground unless you are dwarf.

Ontarios have terrible ergonomics,fail catastrophically when pushed too hard, the compression rivets tend fall out of the scales, and they are overly thick and heavy for most tasks that a machete could reasonably be expected to do.

Learn to use a gancho:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlNSRQtm8eM
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, they were very helpful. I'm going to let it process for a couple days and then make a choice.
 
The Tramontina's and similar work fine, just be careful on the handle--they can be rough and uncomfortable.

You should try to find the guy from Baronyx too...he and Cade are among the more knowledgeable about machetes on here from what I've seen.

It sounds like Rasco may be onto something there, handles being so critical on a machete.
 
Sam Cade said:
You want a simple, middle of the road 18" "latin" pattern machete made by any central or south american manufacturer. Don't spend more than $20.

Once you use it for for a few months you can then decide if you need a more specialized pattern. You probably won't.

Some Points:
Longer machetes equate to less bending over. 12" Machetes suck for clearing ground unless you are dwarf.

Ontarios have terrible ergonomics,fail catastrophically when pushed too hard, the compression rivets tend fall out of the scales, and they are overly thick and heavy for most tasks that a machete could reasonably be expected to do.

Learn to use a gancho:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlNSRQtm8eM
Click to expand...

Hey now, Sam! Maybe he IS a dwarf! Or to be PC do we have to say "vertically challenged individual"?
 
Sam Cade said:
You want a simple, middle of the road 18" "latin" pattern machete made by any central or south american manufacturer. Don't spend more than $20.

Once you use it for for a few months you can then decide if you need a more specialized pattern. You probably won't.

Some Points:
Longer machetes equate to less bending over. 12" Machetes suck for clearing ground unless you are dwarf.

Ontarios have terrible ergonomics,fail catastrophically when pushed too hard, the compression rivets tend fall out of the scales, and they are overly thick and heavy for most tasks that a machete could reasonably be expected to do.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on the Ontarios. Won't buy one anymore. A 16"-18" Latin styled machete is what you want. I would suggest wood handles so you can sand them if you choose to without much equipment or experience. You can technically do the same thing to the plastic handles, but not as easily as far as I'm concerned. I usually recommend Condor products. I generally really like their sheaths and some machetes come with no sheath or very cheap canvas or plastic coated sheaths.
 
I have a number of machetes that I have picked up in search of one that really felt good in the hand. The most comfortable swinger that I have found is the Condor Speed Machete. I picked mine up with the leather sheath for under $50. Like most machetes, the blade and edge needed a little work to get it the way I wanted it.

[video=youtube;Ubzu7icQr5g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubzu7icQr5g[/video]
 
roosterscrow said:
I have a number of machetes that I have picked up in search of one that really felt good in the hand. The most comfortable swinger that I have found is the Condor Speed Machete. I picked mine up with the leather sheath for under $50. Like most machetes, the blade and edge needed a little work to get it the way I wanted it.

[video=youtube;Ubzu7icQr5g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubzu7icQr5g[/video]
Click to expand...

The Speed Machete is a fantastic workhorse that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. :thumbup:
 
I have a camillus carnivore that I use. I got it as a b day present 2 years ago, I have beat the hell outta this thing and I give it a 10 out of 10. Walmart currently has a newer version than mine. It looks great and they have improved a few things. For 30ish out the door, it's definitely a tool that will be a work horse for many years to come.
 
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