Need chopper, small machete type

onado2000

onado2000

Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
1,112
I'm asking for your opinion on a small machete (type) of blade, to be worked & used (not to sit & collect dust), long lasting, dependable and reputable. Looking for suggestions, thanks for your time.
 
Just head over to the Himalayan-Imports forum or to himalayan-imports.com and get yourself a kukri. Best "small machete (type) blade" you can get, period. Tough, indestructible, inexpensive, gorgeous and excellent carbon steel.

I recommend something like the 15inch Ang Khola, or a bonecutter. Expect them to cut through anything, even stuff where you'd usually need a machete twice the size. I own several Ang Kholas, and I couldn't have spent that money any better way.

If you want to get something special, or just great customer service, just email Yangdu (HIMIMP@aol.com)
 
Hey thanks for the posts. the Ang Khola 15inch looks like something from the asian store I used to go to as a kid to buy throwing stars or cheap butterfly knives. Its not what I expected it to look like BUT I think Im going to look further into it. It sounds good on screen, just wish it were plain/black. I wish RC had a machete type so I could buy one. The kukri looks like a good blade though. Hey Instant, did you ever abuse yours and was surprised (that it did not break?). Thanks again, Im looking to get a good machete type blade and replace the crappy (made in china) garbage I am using. I almost left it in the woods, but I could not get it to stick in the tree bark.
 
Himalayan Imports stuff is top quality. I have several of their blades and all of them can take some serious abuse. Best khuks in the world.
 
Thanks C.River Rat for the post, I am doing a little more homework before I get one. The price and history so far are right on, just need to see some cons with the pros. There has to be someone out there that has something negative to say about it, what about the sheath?
 
The Koyote traditional leuku, made by Knives by Christof works well in this regard. It is leuku shaped and with its 10" x 1/8" thick blade effectively acts like a small but robust machete. There is enough spring and flex in the blade for making it good at clearing vegetation but is also stiff enough to work well at batoning and chopping through wood.

DSC_0080-6.jpg


DSC_0071-6.jpg


DSC_0033-1-1.jpg


DSC_0025-14.jpg


More pricey than a standard machete, but it is less then lets say the BRK&T version and the quality is amazing. See Koyote's sub-forum in the makers section. Christof is a great guy to deal with and produces blades with a distinctive but highly functional style. I really like his knives and will buy more blades from him in the future.
 
Go check out the HI subforum here. There are several knowledgeable people there. The sheaths on mine are good. Not great, but certainly serviceable and durable.
 
funny, thats what i said was missing from the RAT line over in the design thread. :)

A nice 3mm 1095 blade, with about 18" of carbon steel convex beveled with sexy mikarta slabs and that nice black coating all over the blade.

Nothing like it yet in the machete world (that i know of), everone else is still using black paint, or that zinc phospate something or other.

2nd thoughts,,,,I'm not sure how that coating would stand up to the flexible temper of a machete blade. hummmm.
 
Last edited:
onado2000 said:
I'm asking for your opinion on a small machete (type) of blade, to be worked & used (not to sit & collect dust), long lasting, dependable and reputable. Looking for suggestions, thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

Yes a BK9 will serve you well! no dust on a BK9.:D
 
You know I have a Becker (new) BK11, and I liked it at first (before my Izula). BUT its too difficult to sharpen, and I don’t know why. I can't get a edge on it to save my life. I bought a Spyderco sharpmaker (SM) and other stones trying to find one that works. I worked for days trying to get the edge back, and have stropped it on leather. I have looked at the Ranger RD, Becker, and RAT (not RC) lines, and they all go back to the same :barf: place where I have decided not to go anymore. If the original people still made these knives, and not the :barf: big corps., I would not have this discussion, I would already own one of each.
 
onado2000 said:
Hey thanks for the posts. the Ang Khola 15inch looks like something from the asian store I used to go to as a kid to buy throwing stars or cheap butterfly knives.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the pictures don't do them justice. I was surprised myself, when mine arrived and I noticed that it was about 1cm (~half an inch) thick

onado2000 said:
Hey Instant, did you ever abuse yours and was surprised (that it did not break?).
Click to expand...

Well, apart from wrecking a whole shack with it and cutting down a mid-sized tree and the occasional using it as a crowbar, the most abuse my Ang Khola ever got, was breaking a 10cm (4 inch) concrete pillar in two. The blade remained in excellent shape, some sharpening restored it to its original glory. I don't recommend hammering on concrete though, as your hand will hurt afterwards.

Oh, and the sheath is flawless and absolutely functional.
 
Hey thanks Instant. I may pick one up yet. What type of handle would you suggest, wood or bone?

As far as making a blade, I lack the tools (hi-temp stoves, anvils, cutters etc...) to even attempt at making my own. Ill tell you, a knife maker could implement that concept into their business. Use the shop where customers could "make your own blade". A customer would pay to work with the knife smith producing a blade of their own, using the knifemakers shop, tools and experience. Could be a lucrative deal. I would pay for that experience. I work in healthcare (hospital), I don't own my own shop (although I would love to have one!). I have my garage (my safe haven man room) and simple tools. I buy parts and build my AR15s, that's one of my pleasures in life.
 
onado2000 said:
Hey thanks Instant. I may pick one up yet. What type of handle would you suggest, wood or bone?
Click to expand...

I find wood to be both prettier and more functional, as it won't be as slippery when wet. You could even wrap the handle in paracord, some people have already done that.

You won't regret ordering one, from the moment on you hold one of these things in your hand and go out and have some chopping fun with it.

Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top