It has been 16-17 years now that I have owned and used a plain old 18" Ontarion U.S. issue machete that my dad bought for less than $15.00 with a green canvas sheath.
I have used the hell of it. I have cut everything from grass to foot thick trees down with it. It is a heck of a work horse.
Pros,
1. Inexpensive.
2. Great balance.
3. Amazing power due to leverage.
4. Ability to cut brush and small trees. Works best on things like green branches about an inch thick but will cut tall grass as well as medium trees if needed.
5. length keeps hands from getting cut and bruised by thorns and branches.
Cons,
1. Length, makes it hard to pack or carry on a belt.
2. Thin blade can not be used as a pry bar or a wedge.
If used like it was meant to be used, the 18" machete is hard to beat. Don't expect it to be able to split wood like a axe or fillet a fish. No one knife can do everything but the machet does more than any other edged tool I have ever used. It is the most versatile large edged tool I have ever seen.
It is such a simple and good design that it has not and can not be improved on. This is good, it means you can actually pick up a great tool for less than $20.00 that is the equal or better than knives costing $200-300. Trust me, I have tried just about everything and the machete wins hands down.
I have used the hell of it. I have cut everything from grass to foot thick trees down with it. It is a heck of a work horse.
Pros,
1. Inexpensive.
2. Great balance.
3. Amazing power due to leverage.
4. Ability to cut brush and small trees. Works best on things like green branches about an inch thick but will cut tall grass as well as medium trees if needed.
5. length keeps hands from getting cut and bruised by thorns and branches.
Cons,
1. Length, makes it hard to pack or carry on a belt.
2. Thin blade can not be used as a pry bar or a wedge.
If used like it was meant to be used, the 18" machete is hard to beat. Don't expect it to be able to split wood like a axe or fillet a fish. No one knife can do everything but the machet does more than any other edged tool I have ever used. It is the most versatile large edged tool I have ever seen.
It is such a simple and good design that it has not and can not be improved on. This is good, it means you can actually pick up a great tool for less than $20.00 that is the equal or better than knives costing $200-300. Trust me, I have tried just about everything and the machete wins hands down.
