Need help choosing a machete

I have noticed the condor machetes come in 2 diffirent steels. Whats good to go for.

I have seen are :

420hc
&
1075

Whats better?
 
philwar said:
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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It was a lot easier to put an edge on my Bowie machete, the kukri was just very sad -like I said, there was at least 2mm of burr flailing from the top to the bottom of the edge. The kukri that I got also had a (slightly) warped blade, and no Cold Steel stamp. The bowie was dull, but the edge was flush and it was stamped "Cold Steel." I guess it is not that big of a deal for a machete.

Another great difference in the four listed models is the handle. If you really want the latin, then go for it.
 
I was leaning toward the cold steel Latin 18" but I have been researchi g it online and I'm finding deals on condors for maybe 5-10$ more.

I'm compairing the coldsteel Latin with a sheath at 27$ shipped (best price I have found)

to the condors 18 el Salvador or outback with a leather sheath for 37$ shipped.

Only thing is all the pics I have seen from people that own condors have blue handles and those are the 420 HC blades . The 1075 black handle and blade version doesent seem to be as popular for some reason. I was just trying to clarify what was better a high carbon stainless (420hc) or a 1075. So far 2 votes for the 1075.
 
yourcornerstore.com has the 18" Latin machete for ~8.50 and the sheath for ~6.50 +s&h. Same price i got my kukri for, it comes out to about $22 or so.
 
SOUTHSTAR said:
Only thing is all the pics I have seen from people that own condors have blue handles and those are the 420 HC blades . The 1075 black handle and blade version doesent seem to be as popular for some reason.
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The carbon El Salvador Condor machete is a new addition to the Condor line, that's probably why you haven't seen much discussion on it yet. Condor recently came out with a bunch of new stuff :thumbup::

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=634370
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614235
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7146682
 
They look basically the same to me, I can see where the differences you are seeing may be, I think it is lighting and the way yourcornerstore sized the pic when uploading.
 
Hmmm...the one on the condor site is a drawing, I wouldn't put too much stock in it. The one on the yourcornerstore is more like it. The specs are basically the same between both anyway, so I don't think they're two different products or anything like that.

My condor doesn't have the "eye of the condor" hole in the blade though, at least not that I can recall. If I had a camera, I'd take pics, but I don't have one right now. I can try taking some with my computer camera when I get home, if necessary.

Also, you didn't mention, are you looking for a machete this long?
 
rksoon said:
Hmmm...the one on the condor site is a drawing, I wouldn't put too much stock in it. The one on the yourcornerstore is more like it. The specs are basically the same between both anyway, so I don't think they're two different products or anything like that.

My condor doesn't have the "eye of the condor" hole in the blade though, at least not that I can recall. If I had a camera, I'd take pics, but I don't have one right now. I can try taking some with my computer camera when I get home, if necessary.

Also, you didn't mention, are you looking for a machete this long?
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Yeah I guess it's the same one.

And yeah I'm looking for an 18" machete. I figure I'll use it more for slashing through bruch or general around the house use. If I want to chop I'll use an axe or my becker bk9 if I'm hiking. 18" give the rite amount of reach without being to cumbersome to carry in my opinion.
 
SOUTHSTAR said:
Yeah I guess it's the same one.

And yeah I'm looking for an 18" machete. I figure I'll use it more for slashing through bruch or general around the house use. If I want to chop I'll use an axe or my becker bk9 if I'm hiking. 18" give the rite amount of reach without being to cumbersome to carry in my opinion.
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Then I don't think you can go wrong with this guy :thumbup:.

I'd talk to Joezilla, the mod over in W&SS, before you pull the trigger. He's used this machete quite a bit and would be better able to give you more user info. I haven't used this condor much yet, so I can't personally vouch for performance at this point.
 
I've got an 18" Ontario machete that I'll put up against your 18" Condor any day of the week. I've spent hours upon hours in the bush with mine and it has never failed me. I us it in the yard and for chores out at my SIL's farm. It stays sharp and is easy to touch up.
Ontario Knives has been manufacturing the 1-18 machete under US Government specifications for many years. The same quality that goes into the durable 1-18 machete is found in all of the machetes that the Ontario Knife Company manufactures.

The Ontario Machete Knives feature 1095 carbon steel blades, .125" thick, with a non reflective Zinc phosphate finish, and full tang construction. The handles are made of a high impact polymer that resists breakage. The Ontario Machete Knives are available with 12", 18" or 22" blade; with riveted handle or molded "D" Guard handle
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And, they are made in the USA IIRC. It's only $22 and you can get a 18" sheath on ebay for $10.

http://www.knivesplus.com/ontario-machete-qn-1-18sbk.html
 
*Shrug*, ok. It's up to the OP. I've probably used an Ontario before, but that was back when I thought a machete was a machete. If it works for you, right on, more power to you :thumbup:. I've never heard bad things about Ontario machetes, so I'm not going to sit here and say "my X machete will beat up your Y machete."

The "Made in USA" point is a good one if that matters to the OP. And as for the price, there's really no difference between the two if what you say is true. One of the reasons I went with the Condor is because it all comes as a package...no dealing with shopping around for or making a separate sheath.

The other reason I went with the Condor was for the slightly thinner blade and 1075 steel. I'm no steel guru, but I've read that 1075 is tougher than 1095, so I wanted to give it a try on a chopper like this. Also, I've heard the Condor machetes don't need modding to cut right outta the box. So I decided to go with the Condor :thumbup:.


ETA: I don't think you could go wrong with either :thumbup:.
 
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ONTARIO!!!! Best bang for the buck you will ever get steel wise! Just be sure and put a wicked edge on it!
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Just be sure and cut that D guard off, first swack I took with that thing and crack went my finger nail!
 
I have a 15" Tramontina machete and I hate it. The blade is too thin (Makes it hard to sharpen on my belt sander - I have to be super careful or I'll be grinding all night.) and I couldn't find a sheath for it anywhere, so I bought an ontario 18" sheath and use it - even though just the tip of the handle is all that shows.

rksoon - after checking out some of your links, I'm probably going to have to get some of those new Condors. WOW!
 
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Teague said:
rksoon - after checking out some of your links, I'm probably going to have to get some of those new Condors. WOW!
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:thumbup: Do it :D Got an eye on the Golok and Bolo myself...

ETA: Maybe even a thunderhead for the zombies.... :D
 
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The part # on your corner store is CTK2020HC
and the # on the condor website is CTK2020HS
so is this a fluke or are they diffirent machetes?
 
My Ontario has had the snot beat out of it and as you can see not broken. I've used it to clear paths for hunting and to cut small trees. Takes and keeps a great edge!
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