Toughest, Best made Machete on the market?

[JayGoliath]

The secret is all in the width.

 

[theAntihero]

With the punishing jungle condition here (rains and shines all year long), the rainforest provides a good test for your blades and parang are often seen with the tribes here; 15" or less for mobility and i'm convinced after many trips into the jungle.
If you can find those really old American Jeep spring steel from pre-war (i'm talking about air dropped model) and get a smith to do it,you have got yourself a blade for life.

I like this one a lot:

My cleaver made from American jeep spring by local knifemaker, O'Katz

Holy crap i want one of those cleavers!

 

[zcd]

Based on your criteria - Busse NMFBM

 

[theAntihero]

Bumping this up in the hopes that someone can tell me where to get one of those cleavers.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Couldn't you just post a visitor message on JayGoliath's profile?

Ironically, though, I had some more F. Dick knives land today, one of which is a big ol' cleaver.

 

[parbajtor]

What about fiddleback forge machete? I've heard nothing but good things about it.

 

[climbingrocks]

The new Condor Village Parang appears to be a great deal for what you get. Although heavy compared to ethnic parangs from Malaysia, it may be better suited to the dense hardwood forests of North America.

 

[Stubai]

I have had a few (more than a few) good machetes over the years. As of late I have been trying out a Magnum Kukri by Cold Steel. The edge arrived super dull from the factory in South Africa but was reprofiled in a matter of minutes. The handle is ok but tends to have a few hot spots after extended use. This machete has a nice price point and seems to hold up very well.

My Old Hickory 14 inch slicer/butcher blade has been used in the 'machete' role for years now. Can't remember how much I paid for that knife but it was not much. I suppose you could still find them online for a good price. Handle is nice and comfortable and the blade takes a great edge.

There is an older machete which came to me via Ghana, east Africa. It is a Martindale with the alligator logo and has a wooden handle which is somewhat on the crude side. After some work with a file the edge is amazingly keen. The tip of this knife is square. Not sure what kind of steel they are using but this thing is super tough in the field.

As far as the small, portable machete goes, my vote would extend over to the new offering they are calling the 1311. Might just be the best of both worlds! For now, I usually carry my trusty Ontario 18inch when I trek the wilds. Nothing like the comfort of an old, well used but delightful tool.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

With the Magnum Kukri handle you may find that a quick buffing with 600 grit sandpaper will take the "bite" out of the overly aggressive texturing. The OH 14" butcher's knives are great choppers--love 'em. And the Martindale sounds like it's probably a tapanga of some sort? Martindale does very good distal taper, and has great steel and heat treatment. The handle scales are beech, and the only common problem with them is they seem not to correct blades with a slight heat treatment warp so you often have to do it yourself by hauling on it in a vice.

 

[Jet B]

I'm still finding myself going back to my KaBar Kukri Machete for most of my yard chores. After convexing the edge, it works well on pretty much everything I've used it on, even dried mesquite without too much reworking needed after hitting the hard spots. Picked it up for 30 something a few months ago, but worth twice that to me.

I'm not really a machete aficionado, I just bought this because I needed something for chopping small pine trees clearing heli-pads etc when I was working up north in the past. It's small enough to store in a tight area but chops well above it's size class. I have beat the hell out of this thing and back. Small 1-2 inch pine trees in one chop, larger trees when necessary, clearing brush, batoning wood, etc etc.

One on top: Kabar Kukri machete (big chopping knife, however you want to label it.)

 

[theAntihero]

Couldn't you just post a visitor message on JayGoliath's profile?

Ironically, though, I had some more F. Dick knives land today, one of which is a big ol' cleaver.

I actually emailed him already, i just assumed he was away from his computer and i was impatient.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

LOL I know the feeling. I've usually got communication lines going with at least 5 people at any given time, so waiting for responses can be a bit maddening.

 

[Rider675]

Ive been machete shopping this week as well, albeit for a survival lightweight chopper. I went with the CS magnum kukri machete, over the 22" imacasa traditional style. If weight isn't important get a pure kukri or axe for chopping. A heavy machete compromises it's ability to swing fast or bite deep, so where is the advantage?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Ive been machete shopping this week as well, albeit for a survival lightweight chopper. I went with the CS magnum kukri machete, over the 22" imacasa traditional style. If weight isn't important get a pure kukri or axe for chopping. A heavy machete compromises it's ability to swing fast or bite deep, so where is the advantage?

Ummmm...weight is only one factor that determines tip velocity and acceleration, and heavier machetes still do a much better job clearing small saplings than an axe does, while still retaining the ability (albeit diminished) to clear lush growth. There are TONS of reasons why a heavier machete pattern can make sense. Context and specific intended use are very important in determining whether it's best for YOUR purposes, however.

 

[w.t. anderson]

If you want tough indestructability, I'd say try a Busse NMFBM as has been mentioned.
If you want ergo comfort, I'd say try one of the models crafted by Fiddleback Forge.

 

[HoosierQ]

Imacasa / Condor probably. Ontario apparently makes a good one but I prefer mine to come form Central America for a variety of reasons...not least of which is cost and the functionality.

 

[diavoli]

Stuart Wilson... WHOA

WANT!!

Stu was kind enough to design the khukris for me, this is the twin that I own;

12” blade, 18” overall length of 8mm O1 steel. Flat/sabre grind with a convex primary edge. Green canvas micarta with thick red liners and a stabilised amboyna pommel, held with stainless 7/16” tubes.

Stu is a fantastic maker!

 

[JayGoliath]

I'm sorry i was away for a weeklong training. Managed to get back to insanity!

Now if i do get back to the OP, assuming that i could finally get hold on the Barong twins from Big Chris made in 3V, i should test it pretty soon on some happy plants and give a review here.

 

[fishiker]

What machete that you know of, is built as touch as the condor boomslang? I already have several of the thin latin style machetes, but i'm looking for something that will be thicker, with better steel and better overall fit and finish.

It will have to be able to baton and chop better than a standard machete

I am willing to consider any price range IF it is worth the cost

I'm mostly looking for production blades, but if you know an awesome custom, let me know

also, this is a Picture based thread, so find a pic of whatever you recommend

Check out a Busse BWM, here's a pic of mine along with a couple smaller blades.

[/url] busse by http://www.flickr.com/people/49906904@N03/

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

A buddy of mine has a BWM...I don't really care for its performance and design for machete usage. But it IS tough and well-made, so I guess it meets the thread criteria very well.