Of machetes, tearing trees apart, and brutal cold

Dizwolf

Dizwolf

Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
2,513
Spent the last few days camping with my girlfriend and her four year old son. Was in a cabin, but we got to test out a bunch of gear in some fairly rough conditions. Hiked a few hundred yards up a wooded hill for most of our wood. 6" of snow actually makes for some easy drags.

Condor El Salvador machete. For 31 years I haven't used a machete. For 31 years, I've been wrong. Sinks deep into wood, easy to carry, chops very nicely. The first branch I took out was a little over two inchs thick, and when I took it in one swing, I just felt stupid.

Condor Viking machete. Same as above, but better. Only issue is in and outof the sheath is harder to use.

Wetterlings 19 inch axe. Great pack axe. I've got to try one of thier felling axes. Chops very well off your knees. I was bad, and smashedit through and into ice. Rolled the bottom edge. It cleaned up well with a lansky puck. Tarnishes easy so watch putting them away wet.

RTAK/rc6/rc5. All pressed into use batoning with abandon. All preformed flawlessly. The girl and I used a pair of rc6's to make a nice pile of curlie q's to start the fire. A rat fire kit and izula were used with pjcb's to start all the fires.

Ultimate/pocket chainsaw. Good cuts quick, but alot of work and energy. Good for emergency use.

A good time to be sure. Though, the workhorse of the day, was a $10 30 inch bowsaw from sears. Did fast, quick, low energy cutting. Even when I hike, it's worth strapping this bad boy on my back.
 
machetes are nice, i was gifted one a few years ago and i used it to butcher the christmas tree. it was very easy to use and it was also fun! :D
 
You get used to the in/out with the Viking pretty quickly, but it takes getting used to. One hell of a chopper, isn't it? And the back edge is real handy for the light stuff.

Keep us posted on how you like 'em as you use them more! It's like I've been telling folks for the past couple of years--the machete is a tool to be reckoned with regardless of if you're in the north or the south. ;):thumbup:
 
Handles are a little loose on it, but I'm thinking a good soak will take care of that. The thing chops like a mofo. I flip two of the snaps to the back and just use the top one, but wiggling it in still is a bit weird, at least compared to the el Salvador which just drops right in.
 
Dizwolf said:
Handles are a little loose on it, but I'm thinking a good soak will take care of that. The thing chops like a mofo. I flip two of the snaps to the back and just use the top one, but wiggling it in still is a bit weird, at least compared to the el Salvador which just drops right in.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna' slap some micarta on mine when I get the chance. FWIW I'm sure Condor would be glad to replace it if the wobble bothers you. :)

The Viking is my favorite big chopper, and I have many. :D
 
Doesn't wobble enough to require replacing I think. And some micarta or G10 might be interesting on it.

here's a photo of what I took out. Figured it was only 4 days, I'd pack light.
4336862750_05621cd7fd_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top