School me on machete designs

elkins45

elkins45

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Jun 17, 2006
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There isn't a machete specific forum so that's why this is in General. I was at a gun show this weekend and a vendor had a surprisingly good selection of machetes in different blade styles. I could actually use a quality machete but I didn't buy one because I'm unsure which blade styles are considered to be most useful.

My intended use would be clearing briars and heavy weeds, maybe some small locust saplings. Are there any particular blade designs that are better than others for this task?
 
I think a basic Imacasa 22" or 24" is about all you need. Unlike so many other things, you needn't spend much money at all. In fact, for the cost of a rather inexpensive pocket knife you can obtain a machete that will do everything you could ever reasonably expect it to do...and do it for decades...and do it with a long time between sharpenings if need be. Even then, you just sharpen with a file or a very course puck.
 
Tons of good patterns for the task, but something in the longer range is usually better. If mostly briars and weeds then I might go with something like a guarizama or colima. Light and fast, possibly with a partial back edge. How big of saplings are we talking?
 
HoosierQ said:
I think a basic Imacasa 22" or 24" is about all you need. Unlike so many other things, you needn't spend much money at all. In fact, for the cost of a rather inexpensive pocket knife you can obtain a machete that will do everything you could ever reasonably expect it to do...and do it for decades...and do it with a long time between sharpenings if need be. Even then, you just sharpen with a file or a very course puck.
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I urge folks to keep a thin (15 degree per side) edge on their machetes, and to keep it as fine as they reasonably can. I would only use a puck for ironing out damage to the blade rather than finish-sharpening. A file can produce a very keen edge with practice by using gentle strokes whereas an abrasive stone tends to produce less variable effect. Whenever your cutting performance starts to diminish, stop and fix whatever is causing it, whether it be a dulled edge or operator exhaustion. However, I agree that you can go long stretches without needing to sharpen so long as you're careful about where you're swinging. I usually don't have to touch up my edges often at all unless I hit dirt or rocks. :)

Indeed, a good machete is often quite inexpensive. And Imacasa is the brand to choose if demanding high quality and low cost. :cool::thumbup:
 
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An Ontario GI machete with it's edge finished on a belt sander is what I use. It works equally fine on briars or 2-3" sweetgums at my deercamp. It didn't chip out cutting oak limbs either. I use the 18" model.
 
I consider the Ontario on the heavy side if vegetation and brambles are most of the work. If you throw some thick stuff in there it becomes a good choice, but you'll wear yourself out using it to cut vegetation all day.
 
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FortyTwoBlades said:
I consider the Ontario on the heavy side if vegetation and brambles are most of the work. If you throw some thick stuff in there it becomes a good choice, but you'll wear yourself out using it to cut vegetation all day.
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I agree. Most of my work there is cutting limbs and small trees. I mostly ride the briars down with an atv, but for the stubborn briars that try to slap me in the face, it handles them with a wrist flick.
 
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i myself prefer a bush or latin pattern machete for most "'machete tasks." it may not excel at a particular task, but it's does pretty good on all of them. next i like the bolo, just cuz. if ya want a particular machete for those exact tasks, i'd get at least two ..one for the thicker stuff, like a bolo or a panga for the thicker woody stuff, another like a hawkbill or colima or grass machete for the grassy thinner stuff.

as far as length.....different theories, but i prefer a mid length myself for most tasks, others like 'em long, others short.....for different tasks.......but i like mid, works best for me, as usual ymmv greatly from mine.
 
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Stay away from the CS Latin Machete, if you ask me. Too long for it to not have distal taper. Makes it all floppy. I enjoy a number of their other models though.
 
Just a pic of my machete/choppers. The machete on top is the best all around that I have. It costs the least also. ImageUploadedByTapatalk 21374707099.944828.jpg
 
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Between the Ontario on the top and the Svord Kiwi on the bottom my personal choice would be the Kiwi. Ontario machetes are nice, but their form isn't very refined, least of all in the handle. :)
 
the imacasa 'pata de cuche' (typical latin pattern) is the one to go for in my humble opinion. its an excellent all-around machete for briars, grass, small woody veg and even felling small trees. one can be had for about what you would pay for a folder at a gas station. i like the 24-26 inch length; keeps the thorns a little farther away. they dont come with any sort of edge on them so be prepared to spend some time getting them sharp.

IMG_13271.jpg

its the one in the middle. 26" blade.
 
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Machete is versatile but not built for specific tasks. Don't think any tool is excellent in every sense.
I dig the Colima and Barrigon style but i find a compact Bolo very useful in where i reside.
It's unlikely to attract the sight of 5-0, light enough to carry on trail,does the job well and easy to sharpen.
What i really appreciate is the longer sweet spot, together with a slight pronounced belly, creating a larger contact surface on the medium and still slash like a Smilodon.


Pertinent to this thread, i'm looking forward to Baryonyx Machete's release date :D
BaryonyxMacheteSampleretouched_zpsffa94bfa.jpg
 
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JayGoliath said:
Pertinent to this thread, i'm looking forward to Baryonyx Machete's release date :D
BaryonyxMacheteSampleretouched_zpsffa94bfa.jpg
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You and I both! :D I actually struck upon some interesting technique with it for splitting fairly sizable logs as well as carving lovely wooden wedges. Both techniques involve sinking the hook into a log and using the upward facing primary edge to do the work. Took a video a couple weeks ago but haven't uploaded it yet.
 
Whatever you choose, try to get a long (18+" blade) and lightweight/thin-stock machete.
For briers and undergrowth the swing speed seems to be the most important factor.
 
springnr said:
Condor Viking is your huckleberry
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Tell me about it! It's been a companion of mine for many many years now, and what I personally use for those tasks. The only reason I didn't mention it was to stick with the budget theme that was running. That partial back edge makes all the difference. Hits hard on wood, hooks light stuff. Wonderful machete, all around.
 
I keep trying different styles, and I keep coming back to the traditional Latin pattern. It has stood the test of time. Tramontina is surprisingly good for the money, Imacasa is even better. 18" blades seem to be a standard of sorts, but there's room in your toolshed for a few assorted lengths from 14"-24" as well.
 
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For the OPs useage I think a cheap Latin stye wood handle Tramontina machete is the way to go. Ontarios are great too but they are more of a jack of all trades type of machete and as said they are on the heavier side for the OPs intended use and the handles definitely are not comfortable out of of the box. The handles need to be sanded flush to the tang and rounded also imo the Ontarios handles are a bit too fat. The Trams handles arn't perfect either out the box but are much easier to modify to make comfortable with some sandpaper than the Ontario.
 
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