oks rat 7 vs. okc 12" improved machete

[lokiman123]

i'm still trying to understand the merits of a larger blade. when is it optimal to have something long/thin and when is it proper to have a short/stout blade. for these reasons i chose two different knives from the same company. furthermore, if one was to go short/stout would they be better off with say, a camp axe or even one of those tac tools (see my other post) if they were carrying a falkniven f1 for general knife chores. for the larger blade it would really only be used for maybe hacking a limb or two off of a pine tree, clearing these God forsaken vines chock full of thorns found in s. florida, digging/prying small rocks/oysters from camp site. just looking for a complete beater of a relatively substantial blade/tool that would be able to do all of these things listed. keep in mind i'm trying to go as light as possible and this is why i'm not considering a hatchet/saw/glock shovel etc. in the same bag. i'm not trying to build a log home. just need something to clear the way there and back.

btw, thank you all already for the help in deciding on the f1. now that i have the icing just need the cake.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Since you've got the smaller knife already, I'd go with a machete, but an 18", not a 12".

 

[abiggs]

I would actually go for the 12" machete. It will be ligher and less cumbersome to carry. I have a 12" Tram and a 12" Ontario, they are great tools.

 

[shotgunner11]

I love a 12" Ontario or a 14" Tram Bolo.

 

[MagicDot]

..in a wetland area such as S. Florida I would take a machete.

..but my thinking leads into problems because I believe a tool should fit a job and not just because a tool *could* do a job..

..axes are meant for a tree area.. ..they're more useful for dealing w/ trees. (yes yes. you *can* chop vines w/ them, but why?) ..a machete is more useful for dealing w/ vines (yes yes. you can also chop down a tree w/ it if you're so inclined, but why?).

the 18" will give you reach and leverage and power w/ a swing. ..a 12" will require more energy to be expelled but will be lighter in the pack. ..so then you have to ask yourself the question of "am I blazing a trail" or just hacking the occasional vine/undergrowth out of the way..

..the tool that fits the job is the one you should choose..

..there's a cool youtube video made by a guy here on how he sharpens his machete.. ..I'll see if I can find the link.

 

[baldtaco-II]

For pairing with an F1 for your requirements I'd go with the 12” Ontario suggested above.

I use a similar size of knife to an F1 and either pair it with an ax or golok. Your requirements rule out the ax. Given that you're going to be using it as a machete most of the time that would dispose me to look at the Condors. I don't have one but time and again they have come up with affirmations of how well they excel on the light stuff like vines. That should keep your pack weight down too.

However, because you also mention taking it to softwood from time to time and a little bit of digging and prying I'd want something a little more robust. For me that means the Martindale # 2. They do need a bit of work done on them from NIB to get them going through the light stuff with a clean swoosh rather than whacking it out the way like bat n ball, but done right they are brilliant. I take mine to thorns, nettles, ferns .etc, but because the way they have the weight distributed there is a lot of clout rostrally so I also use them effectively from softwoods to beech. Big knives usually lack that, because they are shaped like knives, similarly the light machetes.

Looping back round to where you're at and the little Ontario seems and ideal choice. The Bark River golok is based on an Ontario and that'll take on modest wood cutting. Similarly, see Jerry Hossom's claim that the Ontario is the best yard tool he's had [and he knows a bit about steel, and by his own admission has access to pretty much whatever he wants]. As ever, you'll almost certainly need to do a little work to tease the best from it, but if you can't be bothered there are always people here only too keen to volunteer to do it for free.

Below is a the Bark River customized version of an Ontario belonging to Horn Dog. As you can see it is not much bigger than a big knife. It'll take on wood, but it'll also do the vine clearing work that'll leave the knives in the dust. Yeah, the Ontario has much potential under that outward gruff looking appearance.