Ontario "Economical but high quality" 18" machete

desmobob

desmobob

Joined
May 5, 2003
Messages
2,494
I added one of these to a knife order a while back and when I got it, said, "Hmm... Seems OK for twelve bucks." It's made in the USA and the item descriptions says it's made of 1095. http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=ONLC18

Later, when playing with my new Harbor Freight 1x30 belt sander, I figured the cheap machete would be a good candidate for practicing with the sander.
I put a nice convex edge on it and was pretty pleased with the way it came out.

Today, I had to go out in a local marsh to build a duck blind for a hunt tomorrow. I decided to bring the Ontario machete and my Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. I was surprised to find I never had to take the Camp Tramp out of the sheath; that cheap Ontario machete was a cutting MACHINE!

What surprised me the most was its ability to hack through hardwood saplings with a whack or three... things I originally thought I should have brought a hatchet for. I'm convinced the machete was actually quicker and easier to use than a hatchet on live and dead wood up to 2 - 2-1/2 inches diameter.

Come to think of it, I never used a machete before and I guess I figured they were for slashing away soft vegetation. I had no idea how effective they were on larger, woody plants and small trees.

Anyway, the machete is a keeper and I guess I'll order a sheath for it. Now that I know how much I like it, I won't be able to continue carrying it in the duct tape-wrapped cardboard sheath I made. :o

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
i replaced the handle on mine with a decent micarta and love mine..... still dont have a sheath for it....lol.... it usualy is in the bed of the truck
 
Many people disregard a cheap machete as a serious log eater. I have many big knives but the one thing I find easier and more versatile in the woods is a machete.

Good idea putting a convex edge on one. :thumbup:
 
Ontario and Tramontina (from Brazil) machetes are incredible bargains. The Ontarios are a little heavier so they work better for heavier cutting, while the Tramontinas (the expensive ones are $7) are awesome for lighter brush cutting. You can't go wrong with either brand, especially the 12" ones.
 
Good stuff to know. I need (want?) to get a machete to do some brush clearing around my property now that the vegetation is thinning out some for autumn.
 
One thing I wish I had done was try it BEFORE I convexed the edge. I'd like to know how it worked in original condition, and whether it would be a good tool to recommend to my sharpening-challenged friends.....

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I've found the same when cutting down some saplings in the yard. The machete chops them down in two or three swings. This was in spring though, and I was under the impression that it worked so well because the wood was soft and green. Good to know it works on dead stuff too.
 
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