Survival Quality Machete

T

thatsgonnaleaveamark

Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
1
Hello all,

Didn't know exactly which topic to post this in, but here goes. I have been searching for a quality machete, but can't seem to find any thing good in my price range. (max. $300.) I would like it to be at least 14inches for the blade alone and am having touble finding a thick blade in carbon steel. I am not adverse to buying used. If anyone has any contacts or suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
PJ Tomes made me a nice one in carbon steel & you can also check out a guy on here that goes by MacheteMan he is a custom maker of Machetes, works in ats-34 & S-7 steel. I plan on getting one made by him when my money is right/
 
Last edited:
I just ordered a Condor golok. 1075 carbon steel, 14" blade, 1/4 inch thick. About $50 with the sheath shipped. I'm hoping that this will work out as my new multipurpose outdoors tool.
 
I'm a bit biased since it's my design, but you might try this one. It's a prototype, and heavier than a production version would be. If you're looking for a heavy pattern this is the one. I was able to chop cross-grain through a 1"x2" piece of seasoned rock maple in one blow with my personal one. :eek: Likewise it was designed with a wide range of targets and uses in mind. It's a beast, for sure! :p
 
Foilist said:
I just ordered a Condor golok. 1075 carbon steel, 14" blade, 1/4 inch thick. About $50 with the sheath shipped. I'm hoping that this will work out as my new multipurpose outdoors tool.
Click to expand...

Heh, before I read your post, Foilist, I was about to suggest exactly that. You've hit all the important points.

Also, the Golok is just a beautiful piece of work, IMHO.
 
How thick do you want? My recomendation would be either Fiddleback or Blind horse knives.
 
You do not need to spend $300 to get a good machete. Spend $50 or less and buy other stuff.
 
If all you're looking for is a good machete a $6 Tramontina will get you through. It all depends on which machete you want at the end of the day. Lots of different manufacturers, makers, sizes, weights, and styles to choose from. :):thumbup:
 
$300 for a designer "machete" isn't likely to up your chances for surviving anything. I think you should cap it at no more than half that and use the rest of the money to learn proper machete use techniques from a Latin American field laborer.
 
Another possible route is to invest in several different less expensive machetes and experiment with them to find out what kinds you prefer. The most valuable tool to have is one you're familiar with.
 
The Kabar Cutlass Machete is quite nice and comfortable to use, but it may be a bit short. I like the Condor Golok a lot. I have purchased a number of their various machetes and am in the process of trying them out. The Condor Golok is very popular for the value with an excellent leather sheath that is well worth the price. I have two of these. One shealth and two blades.
 
Just remember that when you decide on something and get it (or them) we demand pictures! :D:thumbup:
 
Just to point out, machetes are supposed to be inexpensive so that poor farmers and native dwellers can afford to use them as a daily tool.

A farmer/native in Africa, S. Asia or South America can take a $4 tramontina machete and build a home, hunt, prep foods, clear fields, plant & gather crops with it. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that "survival" machetes are used hundreds of millions to billions of times every day.

It isn't the cost of the blade that will aid in survival, it is the knowledge of the individual.

With that said, I own "machetes" from free to ~$160 in price, and of course I prefer the looks of the more expensive ones.
 
As far as the one I designed goes, here's a picture to put in perspective how large it is. :eek:
Photo on 2011-08-08 at 18.03 #2.jpg
 
I like 12”-16” blades, thin and light. The overall weight and balance is important. The lighter the machete the longer you can use it before you get tired.


Ross


Custom Machetes:
http://www.akiblades.com
 
Last edited:
I like your crazy cane knife one. Nice belly on that. :D:thumbup:
 
I've used machetes for clearing brush, pruning trees, cutting cane and corn stalks, and more than a few things like prying, scraping, and digging for more than 5o years. When I go camping, I almost always carry a machete to cut fire wood rather than an axe. My point is, I've done a LOT of machete work in my time, and I've never spent more than $25 for any of them. Are these super expensive ones really that much better, or is it just snob appeal? (No offense intended to you folks that own the $300 blades. Just curious)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top