Tramontina bolo machetes

F

froggy the gremlin

Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
16
What's up?

Everywhere I try to buy these things, they're sold out.

The 'new' ones have a 1.25mm blade thickness.

I've determined that a minimum blade thickness for a bolo machete is 1/8" or .125" (or 3.18mm)

Worse yet, they used to be $6 or so; now the only ones left are the 'designer' machetes costing 3 - 4 times as much.
 
gomipile said:
The search terms I'd use are "Tramontina 14 Inch Bolo Machete."
Click to expand...

Been doing that for some time now; even went on ebay/Brazil and Tramontina web site. They now seem to make designer knives, I suppose more money in it.

I still come up with junk - or - The old links from knife companies all come up as "out of stock", which tells me that something's up. They can't all be sold out.
 
froggy the gremlin said:
Been doing that for some time now; even went on ebay/Brazil and Tramontina web site. They now seem to make designer knives, I suppose more money in it.

I still come up with junk - or - The old links from knife companies all come up as "out of stock", which tells me that something's up. They can't all be sold out.
Click to expand...

Are you using Google?
 
Here, read this Bladeforums post from last year. I can verify from my own experience within the past month that the information in the post is still accurate.
 
Machete Specialists have the Tram Bolo in-stock for $8.99. Also http://www.baryonyxknife.com/ most likely has some in stock and is operated by FortyTwoBlades who is a member here. He does also sharpens the blades and sands down the scales so that hey are flush with the tang so they are ready to go right out of the box.
 
I don't know how to make myself any clearer.

http://www.machetespecialists.com/tr14bomawiha.html
"Tramontina 14 Inch Bolo Machete with Hardwood Handle
Item# TR26624014 $8.99
Blade thickness above handle/at tip: 1.25 mm/1.25 mm"

1.25mm. Not 2 mm, and certainly not 3mm.

Sorry, I don't hang these on the wall and brag about them. I stick em on my bike or belt and hack a lot of stuff with it. Been doing this for 20 years.

And I been Googling for maybe 30 years. Yeah, I'm using Google.

Here's my original post:
"What's up?

Everywhere I try to buy these things, they're sold out.

The 'new' ones have a 1.25mm blade thickness.

I've determined that a minimum blade thickness for a bolo machete is 1/8" or .125" (or 3.18mm)

Worse yet, they used to be $6 or so; now the only ones left are the 'designer' machetes costing 3 - 4 times as much."

I can't use junk for a tool. It has to be a real tool. They were better, now they're not any more. The thickest I can find is 2mm, or 5/64. I bought a Cold Steel one, and didn't even use it. I'm selling it on eBay. The old Tramontinas were good serviceable tools, but it seems like there's a new batch out there.

The Tramontina design is the best for what I use it for, a machete to take out heavier stuff up to an occasional 4" tree, but they really excel on 1/4" to 2" stuff. The length and balance are right, the handle design is proper so it doesn't slip out of your hand. I take off the maple handle and replace it with Tabebuia Serratifolia , a decking wood that's difficult to work and expensive, but does have a sandpaper like quality, much appreciated when your hands are sweaty and you still don't want to cut into your leg. Of course, I run it across my sander so that the handle fits. I make my own pistol grips, so a machete handle is no big deal.

I really don't want anything else. No other blade design fills the bill. I can't understand what's so hard about that.

If you can't address this, please don't post.
 
It IS a real tool. No offense, but if you don't think that the present production Tramontina bolo is a real tool then you simply don't understand what a real tool is. However, if you're looking for a bolo-style machete in 1/8" thickness or thicker (as the specific tool you're looking for) I suggest you check out either the Condor bolo (though it's not of the same style in spite of being clearly within the bolo family) or a Martindale bolo. Either will cost you more than a Tramontina, but I'm afraid you simply don't have many other options. For other inexpensive, yet quality, models check out Imacasa. If you replace the handles anyhow and are skilled at making them (as you indicate) then I'd go with the Martindale and just slap a mortised tang handle of your preferred shape on it. If you replace the mortised tang handles on the Trams then it should be easy enough with the Martindale.

The Tramontina bolos have been made the exact same way for a pretty good while now. I've never stumbled across one any different than the ones I've got, but that doesn't mean that they didn't used to make another varient.

Just remember--if a tool isn't what you're looking for that doesn't make it junk. It just means it's not what you're looking for. ;):thumbup:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
It IS a real tool. No offense, but if you don't think that the present production Tramontina bolo is a real tool then you simply don't understand what a real tool is. However, if you're looking for a bolo-style machete in 1/8" thickness or thicker (as the specific tool you're looking for) ....
Click to expand...

Never mind, I misread the original post.

n2s
 
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I won't take offense, but I do understand what a real tool is. I'm a working land surveyor.

I use an Estwing geologist's pick, an Estwing 3/4 ax (really sweet), a couple of Estwing hammers, a 4 lb hammer with 26" custom handle, Stihl chain saw, a Stihl brush cutter, a Bosch 36v hammer drill/chisel, a Ryobi gas hammer drill, a vintage Collins machete with a frankly too gorgeous fringed and worked leather sheath (great on light stuff), Endres chisels, Klein pliers, Cold Steel Big Bear, a Honda 500 Foreman Rubicon ATV with Maxis Big Horns, Leica binocs, and for survey work, Leica GPS and 1205 total station and Leica wood. When I carry out there, I pack a 44 mag Ruger Redhawk or Sig Sauer P229 in 357 Sig. All real tools. I got piles of stuff that didn't work well.

There's nothing worse than being out in the woods and having a tool failure. No warranty in the world can replace your time and aggravation, or even personal safety. Even if they don't fail, they need to work as best they can for you. I actually use this stuff to make a living in a sometimes crude environment. Alone.

You know what I'm talking about; you sell some of these good brands. But you gotta know there's a lot of frilly/trendy stuff out there. A stroll through the knife section of some companies will illustrate what I mean. I'm not arguing that some guys like the looks of a parang or their right to buy it; it's just not for me. I don't even use my Maringer drop point hunter; it's a collector's item (unfortunately, apologies to Tom).

The handles on the Trams aren't mortised; they're just slabbed and riveted. I wouldn't object too much to mortising the new one in, but I never found the need for it. I do like the wood I use, so I'd replace the handles anyway.

The Martindale at 1/8" is probably the best bet (more apologies to the guy who thought it was too thick), but I can't find it in your catalog. Do you have it? It's out of stock at MacheteSpecialists.

You're right about the Condor, but it looks a little light out on the point.
 
I have a Tramontina bolo I bought new about a month ago, and it's been great on both soft and woody plants.

However, if you want something thicker, you could try an Ontario Old Hickory butcher knife. I convexed the edge, rounded the handle, and added a one sided steel guard to mine. I use it just like I'd use a thicker bolo.
 
froggy the gremlin said:
I won't take offense, but I do understand what a real tool is. I'm a working land surveyor.

I use an Estwing geologist's pick, an Estwing 3/4 ax (really sweet), a couple of Estwing hammers, a 4 lb hammer with 26" custom handle, Stihl chain saw, a Stihl brush cutter, a Bosch 36v hammer drill/chisel, a Ryobi gas hammer drill, a vintage Collins machete with a frankly too gorgeous fringed and worked leather sheath (great on light stuff), Endres chisels, Klein pliers, Cold Steel Big Bear, a Honda 500 Foreman Rubicon ATV with Maxis Big Horns, Leica binocs, and for survey work, Leica GPS and 1205 total station and Leica wood. When I carry out there, I pack a 44 mag Ruger Redhawk or Sig Sauer P229 in 357 Sig. All real tools. I got piles of stuff that didn't work well.

There's nothing worse than being out in the woods and having a tool failure. No warranty in the world can replace your time and aggravation, or even personal safety. Even if they don't fail, they need to work as best they can for you. I actually use this stuff to make a living in a sometimes crude environment. Alone.

You know what I'm talking about; you sell some of these good brands. But you gotta know there's a lot of frilly/trendy stuff out there. A stroll through the knife section of some companies will illustrate what I mean. I'm not arguing that some guys like the looks of a parang or their right to buy it; it's just not for me. I don't even use my Maringer drop point hunter; it's a collector's item (unfortunately, apologies to Tom).

The handles on the Trams aren't mortised; they're just slabbed and riveted. I wouldn't object too much to mortising the new one in, but I never found the need for it. I do like the wood I use, so I'd replace the handles anyway.

The Martindale at 1/8" is probably the best bet (more apologies to the guy who thought it was too thick), but I can't find it in your catalog. Do you have it? It's out of stock at MacheteSpecialists.

You're right about the Condor, but it looks a little light out on the point.
Click to expand...

Yeah I don't carry Martindale at the moment though I hope to in the future. They don't have very wide distribution in the 'states right now. If it's out of stock at Machete Speciaist then I'm not really sure who would have it. If you don't object to vintage, then you might check out British or Canadian WW2 bolos. Same thing as the Martindale but better fit/finish and about 1.25x larger. If you look around you can find 'em in "user" (rather than collector) condition for not a ton of money.

The plastic handled Trams are slabbed and riveted but the wooden handled models are mortised tangs, so the tang is laid in a slot cut into the handle and riveted. Perhaps this method differs from your prior experience? At any rate every wooden handled one I've come across has used that construction method. :)

The Tramontina bolo is a GREAT tool--it just seems it lacks the heft you're looking for for your purposes. ;) I do really enjoy the Condor, for what it's worth. Very good heft--it just doesn't have as concentrated of a sweet spot as more typical models, but that just means it has a wider sweet spot in this case. It's a beast! :D
 
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This one is quite heavy.

n2s
 
That one technically isn't a bolo. It's a rozador. :D

Not easy to find in the 'states since Tramontina USA doesn't import them, so for a retailer here to get them requires direct import from Brazil.
 
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