Short light weight machete for bushes and vines?

jackman2

jackman2

Joined
Feb 3, 2010
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I am an avid fisherman and constantly find myself in areas filled with bushes and vines. I am looking for a machete designed for light cutting, slicing green vegetation rather than heavy chopping. Can anybody suggest something or point me in the right direction? What am I looking for? I thought I wanted a Parang, but they seem kind of heavy for what I need. I already have a Carbon V Golok, which is awesome, but I am looking for something much lighter. Maybe like a smaller version of the ESEE light machete. 10 or 12 inches?

Any thoughts? Any help would be appreciated. My legs and arms are tired of getting scratched to hell.
 
Any Condor, Tramontina, etc., machete will do. I'd like to suggest a longer blade (16-18"), for your intended purpose.
 
I'd also look at something longer. The shorter blades are typically heavier and not as good at slicing, and better at chopping. If you are set on 10 - 12 inches, you could mod a Tram, or try a Condor Kumunga, although that is more of a blade for if you might need to chop, or you might need a machete. It isn't great at either, but is good at both.
 
You want a 14" Imacasa "Colin" model. It's exactly what you're looking for--short and light.
 
Thoughts on the Condor Bolo (12" blade) machete? Seems like a good fit. I will check out the others. Thanks for the input.
 
I have a Marbles Jungle machete that holds a real nice edge and is quite light. For vines around my last house I used a corn knife I picked up at the local hardware store - weight 12oz on a 16" blade, 22" overall. Its real fast/light and holds a great edge as well.

Found the exact one I own

http://www.acetogo.com/product/corn-knife-18-corona.html

Not very sexy, but gets the job done.
 
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the fiddleback forge 12 incher should be a very good fit. its light weight and destroyd the green stuff. it's one of my very favority woods blades. i believe they are 110 dollars shipped
 
jackman2 said:
Thoughts on the Condor Bolo (12" blade) machete? Seems like a good fit. I will check out the others. Thanks for the input.
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That one is short, but it's heavy. If going for something from the Condor line I'd suggest the Speed Bowie.
 
Cold Steel 12 inch Sax style machete works well for me here in Florida. We have a lot of vines to cut. :D
 
I'd say Fiddleback Forge 12" or 14" would be awesome. I own the Ka-Bar Cutlass machete, and it's not the best at slicing through soft vines, just too heavy and short. Works great for chopping wood, roots, etc..

Old Hickory 14" butcher knife is pretty light and fast and tough.
 
I can't speak for the 12" Fiddleback, but I have the 16" and 18" and agree that they're excellent.
 
The fiddleback seems nice, although it is a little expensive. I see the 12 inch is available for sale now. How often can you buy them? Do they do individual custom orders? Wondering if I need to jump on it to get it?
 
They'll only come in basic micarta from this point out, and are for sale when available, from what I understand. It is a more expensive "premium" machete, though, so you'll do fine with a less expensive model. It all depends on what you want and what you're willing to spend.
 
The 12" and 14" Tramontina machetes are pretty light and fast. They don't cost much either, but take a good edge. Their 14" Bolo is my favorite, but it is a little heavier then the standard 14".
 
Correct me if I am wrong, but is the Fiddleback essentially just the Imacasa Colin, but reground, sharpened and with a new handle? I think I might try the Colin first to see if the smaller size works. And it comes with a sheath for like $20. Figure I could sharpen it up nice. Fiddleback looks great, but I'd hate to buy a 12" machete for that price, only to find it did not work for me.
 
Another vote for the 12 and 14 in. Tramontina. The come with a crappy edge but after you fix that they work great.
 
Good old made in USA 12" Ontario Machete. ;)
onlc12.jpg
 
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