Need help choosing a machete

S

SOUTHSTAR

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Jul 1, 2009
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I've been looking at a couple machetes but wanted some input on what's good.

The condor machete: pricey and made of stainless ( not 1095 or compairable)

The cold steel machete: any good? Seems ok but I I haven't heard much. Little cheaper

The Ontario machete: I've heard they break pretty easy.

The Tramontina: probably the best value but not shure how it stacks up to some of those others.

What are your opinions? I'm sorta leaning to the cold steel I like that I can get a sheath for it and the rubber grip is probably comfortable and grippy. I'd like to hear from some who have used this stuff . Thank you.
 
For the money CS is the one to pick and I haven't heard anything bad about them at all.

There are reviews on them and Noss did a destruction test on the Khurki model, it did extremely well and they chop like a chainsaw.

I have used them in the past and they are really very good if you need machete.
 
Cold Steel machetes are some of the best values for the money. They cut well, maintain a reasonable edge, and are pretty cheap considering the quality you get.
My only issue with them is they come with a dull edge, but that takes minutes to hone out.
 
Azraell said:
Cold Steel machetes are some of the best values for the money. They cut well, maintain a reasonable edge, and are pretty cheap considering the quality you get.
My only issue with them is they come with a dull edge, but that takes minutes to hone out.
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Factory edge is of no concern to me. I have a belt sander and can fix that no problem.

So cold steel is a good one then. Do you know if it has a full tangl not?
 
You pick the style. If you don't like it get a different one. I don't like the CS because in my experience the edge takes alot of work to make functional. I never had the tramontina, but many people say these are awesome. Ontarios DO NOT BREAK EASILY, it was the first thing i did when i got mine, put the tip (2") into a vice and bend, all 230 lbs. of me couldn't break it (this was the .125 model).

In adition to the tip test, I also wanted to remove some excess metal from the machete, I couldn't break the excess off until I had cut half way through the steel with a angle grinder. Its got a great temper on it (no pun)
 
I love my Ontario, it is a workhorse of a blade and the break easily thing... well mine has been used hard and lightly abused and still going strong :)

I too have heard raves about the Cold Steel various machete style.

I also have heard good things about Condor's.

Bolos are nice but what is your intended use of your new machete ?
 
Teague said:
I've owned all the ones mentioned and like the Ontario Machetes best. However, I also like the CS Kukri machete. IMHO, the stainless machetes are just JUNK!

This is the best machete I own:

http://www.knivesplus.com/ontario-cutlass-qn-ct2.html
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One of the ones I am modding, was just like yours, that sawback is not to be taken lightly as a close in weapon. It would tear flesh readily, not convinced its an efficient saw though :D
 
I have the CS magnum kurki, and for $20, its a great machete. It comes dull so you put your own edge on it, and the steel is fairly rust-prone.... But with care it will become a great user/mod-able machete. I put a swedge on mine and am working on jimping and razor-sharpness, just for fun. :D
 
SOUTHSTAR said:
Also should I go with Latin style machete or bolo?
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Keep in mind that Cold Steel has two lines of machetes with different makers (I assume) and therefore, DIFFERENT LEVELS OF QUALITY.

Here is a list of the models that are of MUCH BETTER QUALITY:
1) spear point machete (12 and 18 inch)
2) bowie point machete (12/18)
3) barong machete (12/18)
4) sax machete (12/18)

If you go with any of the other Cold Steel machetes the quality varies. I bought a khukri and the edge it had was not just dull, but very burred. There was about 2 milimeters of burr flailing off the edge from top to bottom -completely ruining it. Also the handles on the cheaper ones are plastic and dont have good grip, while the better ones listed above have a great rubberized grip.

The better ones are also stamped "Cold Steel" while the cheaper ones have no stamp at all, just a sticker. The cheap ones may have a warped blade aswell.

Here is a lits of the cheaper ones with lower quality:
1) kukri
2) mag. kukri
3) heavy machete
4) bolo
5) panga
6) dbl. edge
7) latin big/small
8) two handed

I am sure that even the cheap ones will work for anyone, but for an extra 3-5 bucks the quality doubles. You get a lot more quality from the four I listed above; it is worth thinking about getting one of the better machetes even if the design is not exactly what you want.
 
The Tramontinas are carbon steel with a good heat treat and for 6-7 bux they are the best deals in machetes you can find. I've used alot of trams from the bolo and 12" for clearing light brush to the 22 and 24" to clear paths in overgrown fields and they work well. The thicker Ontarios do better on hardwoods but they are also heavier and if you've got alot of work to do it starts to wear out your arm if your not useta swinging a blade.
 
I picked up a Tramontina in s.america and had it re-handled in rosewood and got a custom cayman/leather sheath made for it.

I got the machete in 1992. I have never oiled the blade, just wiped it off with a clean rag. Not a mark on the blade, no oxidation whatsover and this thing anihilates vegetation like nothing I've ever seen. I literally hacked through jungle trails in Brazil and French Guiana with it.

One thing though, a real machete is not supposed to be particularly sharp (as I was told) as it is most effective in the jungle with only a mild edge on it.

I vote for the Tramontina.

Scott
 
I own three CS machetes, the Magnum Kukri, the 12" Bowie and the 18" Barong. They are all great, but for general purpose the Barong is best. The Kukri is more top heavy (which is sometimes handy) and the 12" is light and fast, feels like it would do very well for SD also.

They are virtually indestructible (I've chopped cinderblocks with the Kukri and suffered only very minor edge deformation) and cheap. You cannot possibly go wrong with any of them.
 
I just got a Condor 18" El Salvador Machete in Carbon steel, looks to be excellent so far. Even comes with a decent leather sheath :thumbup:. I've never heard a bad thing about Tramontina or Condor machetes.
 
blackfeetmageet said:
Keep in mind that Cold Steel has two lines of machetes with different makers (I assume) and therefore, DIFFERENT LEVELS OF QUALITY.

Here is a list of the models that are of MUCH BETTER QUALITY:
1) spear point machete (12 and 18 inch)
2) bowie point machete (12/18)
3) barong machete (12/18)
4) sax machete (12/18)

If you go with any of the other Cold Steel machetes the quality varies. I bought a khukri and the edge it had was not just dull, but very burred. There was about 2 milimeters of burr flailing off the edge from top to bottom -completely ruining it. Also the handles on the cheaper ones are plastic and dont have good grip, while the better ones listed above have a great rubberized grip.
Click to expand...

I haven't noticed any constructional difference but this post is right as far as edges and handles go. So again, I would advise the Barong, it has a very nice grip. The kukri is harder, more plasticky and less comfy.
 
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