Recommendation - Machete Brand

A

arijer

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Jul 13, 2009
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Hi everyone. I usually post on RAT Thread. But trying to pick up here also. I am looking to buy a Machete for my back yard, camping and hopefully teaching the kids some outside life.
I had started on my knives with stainless blades actually before I got into carbon.... So i am kind of looking for a stainless Machete or at least a carbon machete with a good coating, and of course being well made:D I have a Bark River Machete, but its 1095 and uncoated. Beauty of a machete but for some reason i cant keep the rust off of it here in florida.

i was thinking of Condor, but have no clue as to their quality and durability... i saw some myeorco ones here at gander mountain, but the blade was so thick I dont understand how it could be called a machete

any help is appreciated as to what you all recommend. Again it can be a good carbon one if its at least coated.
 
to be honest, the best machetes i've used have all been backyard jobs made from an old car leaf spring.

that said, i personally like the look of the Swamp Rat Waki as a machete.
 
Well, speaking from my experience, Condor makes a hell of a machete. I've used a bunch (Collins, Ontario, Condor, Gerber, Cold Steel, etc.) and the Condor's are what I go back to. And, their stainless steel is pretty sweet stuff.
 
Another strong voice for condor as well. They're also the only real high-quality maker of stainless machetes. Here's a link to their stainless models. Also these. Many of the items under the knives category are stainless as well. :)

Meyerco machetes are absolute garbage. I consider Gerber ones about the same.
 
I just got a Gerber gator junior for $20, like it so far, nice heft, short (16" or so) saw blade on the back. Fits in a backpack pretty good
 
Condor's 420HC performs extremely well. The prices are very reasonable. I don't like the Gerber's at all. I would rather use a Cold Steel African made machete over any Gerber.
 
I like the Tramontina Bolo; they sharpen up to a wicked edge and are reasonably well constructed; "Trams" are the ubiquitous workhorse found just about everywhere throughout South America....... http://www.eknifeworks.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?filter=&PriceEnd=&CatalogName=&list=50&Feature=&SearchText=machete&Cat=&Mode=Text&Brand=&PriceStart=&range=51&SKU=MA074

....but honestly, any of the recommended above work.

Shipping cost is usually more than the price of a Tramontina, so order two ( you'll pay the same postage fee )....one for you and a back-up, or one for a friend/neighbor.

- regards
 
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I have a 1/4 inch thick Meyerco machetes. Had it for about three years, I have found nothing at all wrong with it. I have Cold steel, Ontario and Tram as well as Kabar, and half a dozen Condors. All seem to be well worth their cost.
 
While I don't have alot of experience with different brands,I did finally get a chance to take my Condor Golok outback last weekend & gave it a pretty good workout splitting up some old,hard twisty grained wood.

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Pounded it through some 3-4 foot long pieces & it held up fine:

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Got enough after I finished to have a nice fire:

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Only a small ding in the edge & some of the coating came off,but after the beating I put on it,I expected worse.
Nothing that would cause me any concern about using this one for heavy duty stuff.

These are a good value in my opinion :thumbup:.

Cliff
 
+1 on the condor golok ... i still need to order a sheath , but man shes a beastie in the back yard and compact ... kinda heavy i guess but sure makes fast work ....
 
I've got a few...
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and I'm torn between the Tramontina 18" blade and the Marble's bolo (the orange one).
 
Condor is dear to the heart of many a WSSer...

Tramontina has a strong following, based on a combination of price and performance, and our good friend pict speaks highly of them.

I have a couple Barteaux, and they are a good value, I think, a bit stiffer and a bit thicker than the other offererings... I may modify my 18 inch into a Golock one day...

ESEE is coming out with a new one, and the handle promises to be a real winner.

Cold Steel offered a few machetes, made by Lasher of South Africa, and they are pretty nice, I have a handful of them, since they were so inexpensive. And inspired to Lynn, I too cut the head off a 2 liter full of water... Machetes are wicked.

If you have no experience with a machete, I would suggest a Tramontina, you can get one from Smoky Mountain Knife Works for a song, shipped. And while you are at it, purchase a Frosts Mora from them. The purchase will likely cost you less than $30 for 2 cutting tools that will serve you well for years to come...

Marion
 
id have to agree with gramps on the tram bolo....sand down hotspots apply some linseed oil to the handle....and its one hell of a chopper. i sprayed mine with some rustolem to "coat" it.

also the Gerber Brush Clearer (hookbill) is a nice piece. a bit more pricey though.
 
To the original poster:
What you are calling rust is probably patina (staining) and will happen to all carbon steel machetes and doesn't hurt a thing. As long as you put the machetes away dry after using them you should not get any pitting or true red rust. If you want to protect them a bit more if you aren't going to be using them for a while just wipe them down with any type of oil and that will prevent any rust.

I have a bunch of machetes and live in South Florida and none of mine ever rust, they just stain and patina which in itself provides some protection. I always put them away making sure the blades are dry.

Any of the models from Tramontina, Condor, Corneta, Ontario GI model, etc are all excellent and very cheap.
 
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I forgot to add Martindale to my list... I have a couple of their offerings, and they make a good machete.

I am re-handling a Martindale Golock right now.

Marion
 
I've been very happy with my Condor.

My Golok is great fun!

Easy to strip:

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Easy to modify:

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The Golok is generally of thicker stock than machete's.

The Bark River Machete is a modded Ontario.
I find the Ontario's good for the value, but also very soft.
 
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