Needed: Solid Machete. Any Suggestions?

komondor said:
Someone mentioned Aranyik machete and knives. I had never heard of them before. Some interesting stuff. Here is a description of their "Oversized bolo" :
"inspired by the machete from the movie Book of Eli, this machete delivers a true oversized bolo, The weight of the blade is only for professionals, as one handed wielding would require the strength of Eli."

I just found that very amusing.
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I bought the Arianyik Latin machete, through Amazon. As I said before, it comes, very sharp. The size and weigth are ideal for our corner of the world (Panamá), and I'm confident that it can handle most of the vegetation (including fairly thick -4 to 6 in.- trees, in a pinch, if you don't have a chainsaw or an axe). I didn't like the tip (a bit too upswept so I modified it a bit), and the sheat is a cheap s...t. It's not exactly cheap (about $50). Don't remember reading any particularly ridiculous description of it in Amazon.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I Tramontinas are probably the biggest bang for the buck sharp thing in existence, and Ontario is cheap, ripe for modification, and made in the USA.
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Trams are great. http://www.machetespecialists.com/trmabr.html For $5.99 you have as many as you want. I like the 12" and 14". Surprising what that thin blade can do. They do take a bit of work to get an edge on them, but you're knife guys. My friend has bamboo in her yard so I get a lot of opportunity to see what they can do. The 12" one only weighs about 12 ozs. Stays strapped to my hunting pack all season.
 
I used the crap out of it today. I was getting rid of some trash trees (damn Sumac and all its derivatives) in my yard and the becker was going through 2.5 inch diameter soft wood like it was nothing. Still shaving after it was done feeding too. I think I just found my ultimate user. Paired with my camp/hunting knife it'll be about the perfect combo.
 
Tony Nguyen said:
I used the crap out of it today. I was getting rid of some trash trees (damn Sumac and all its derivatives) in my yard and the becker was going through 2.5 inch diameter soft wood like it was nothing. Still shaving after it was done feeding too. I think I just found my ultimate user. Paired with my camp/hunting knife it'll be about the perfect combo.
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Congrats but some photos are long overdue. Hehe!
 
komondor said:
Someone mentioned Aranyik machete and knives. I had never heard of them before. Some interesting stuff. Here is a description of their "Oversized bolo" :
"inspired by the machete from the movie Book of Eli, this machete delivers a true oversized bolo, The weight of the blade is only for professionals, as one handed wielding would require the strength of Eli."

I just found that very amusing.
Click to expand...

Somewhere on the internet exists a DIY for the knife built to the comic books original specs, I would google that if you are still interested in a knife like that.
 
i was chopping an illawarra flame tree up today ( a storm brought it down ). Now i wanted to keep the leaves to go on the garden as mulch but get rid of the sticks.
I could have used the Ontario Marine raider bowie but me old Martindale 358 jungle knife was 1/4 the price & easily hacks through branches as thick as amans arm in one go.
Also shaves off all the leaves to save for the garden.
NB this is softwood .
cheers
 
Machetes are cool. I hope you find the perfect one. Balance and blade speed are important. Shorter Machetes can maneuver with great speed, while longer blades are slower but give you more "power" and reach. For overall use and carry, a 12 to 14 inch blade seems to give the best combination of attributes.

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Personally I find a 16-18" blade to be the ideal balance point. At 12-14" it's really quite short.
 
Short machete or long knife, in ether case a 12” blade is easy to belt carry and when properly made has more cutting ability than the size would indicate. It is easier to work with a shorter machete in many environments, less tiring and easier on the arm. But I agree, a 16” blade can be a wonderful thing in the jungle.





Ross

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FortyTwoBlades said:
Personally I find a 16-18" blade to be the ideal balance point. At 12-14" it's really quite short.
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Yep. That's my take too. If you go into lots of thick growth like I do. A 12 or 14 inch just isn't enough blade. Guess its all relative to what kind of woods you are in.
 
My personal favorite size happens to be the 20-24" range, but it becomes less easy to carry at that point. That's why I made a quick-release Sam Browne-style cross belt for large blade carry. Works great.
 
I guess I like to go slow when I use a machete. Long blades cover more area, but require more effort to use. A shorter blade will do most everything a longer blade will do, it will just take a little more time. I only stand 5' 7", and that may be why I prefer shorter blades on my machetes.

Take care,
Ross

My custom machetes at:
http://www.akiblades.com

PS: I just paid for a Knife Makers Subscription. I hope it is now OK to link to my website.
 
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