Tramontina machetes

DaleW

DaleW

Joined
Dec 22, 2006
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I came across Tramontina's industrial tools web site this morning and there is a whole page of machetes: http://www.tramontina.com.br/product/product.aspx?language=1&cat_id=18&cat2=1&cat3=549

A couple items that caught my eye:

There are machetes as small as 10" offered.

The 14" Bush Machete looked like a great packing tool. There is a 15" model too, and it looks like it has a broader, heavier blade.

Anyway, much to ponder and drool over.

A couple US web sites had 14" Tramontina models for $9.95.
 
SMKW sells several Tramontinas, including the 14" Bush Machete (aka Bolo). Cliff Stamp did an extensive review.

Unfortunately, many of the other models are difficult to get in the US. On another forum, there was an effort to get some 10" machetes, but the US distributor put the nix on that plan by simply saying they don't import them. The only alternative would be for a private individual to ship them from Brasil.

Being satisfied with Tramontina machetes, I was playing with the idea of a smaller Tramontina machete for my backpack. My old standby is a 10" Barteaux economy cane knife, and I wanted something of similar dimensions, with a heavier blade. Tramontina 12" machetes are available here, but since Trams are so inexpensive, I decided to make my own Baby Bolo.

Compared next to a full size Bolo, blade actually measures more like 9 5/8". So far, chopping is reasonable for it's size (certainly enough for my backpacking needs), shorter than the 12" Tramontina but weighs a couple oz. more. Still weighted toward the tip, yet the short length allows easier backpack carry.
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shecky said:
SMKW sells several Tramontinas, including the 14" Bush Machete (aka Bolo). .....
Click to expand...

Who/what is SMKW?

Great adapatation on the bolo. It took me a minute to understand how the short one came about-- I take it that you cut down a longer model. Did you re-use the handle? How difficult was drilling?

Thanks for the info-- I might have to try that.
 
yeah, that looks pretty good! I've been considering chopping down my own Tram bolo. How easy was the metal to drill? Any other problems come up during the mod.?
 
Eh. The Tramontinas look ok. I like the 18" Bush machete with the squared tip. But honestly, when I get around to purchasing myself a machete I think I'm gonna go with a Cold Steel model. Good resource find, tho. Rock on.
 
I used a angle grinder with a thin cutting wheel to cut down the tang, and a carbide drill bit for the holes. Went slow and easy, kept everything cool. Don't know what the hardness of these things are, somewhere around Rc Not Very. Pretty easily filed, take very sharp edges and hold OK until encountering the occasional rock or nail. I originally was going to whip up some DIY micarta for the handle, but the original wood handle survived after removing the original aluminum rivets. I decided to save myself the mess and reuse it.

I did a simple chopping test with a 3" diameter piece of weeping willow i cut down about a month ago. Compared the baby bolo with a 12" Tram, a stock unsharpened 14" bolo, and my well used 14" bolo. Of these machetes, the well used and sharpened bolo did best, the rest were about equal.

Also tested a 12" Meyerco machete/axe, a Fiskars hatchet, and a Barteaux 10" economy cane knife. Out of all, the Fiskars hatchet did the best, cutting through with about half the swings of the baby bolo. The Meyerco did OK, too, about as well as the sharpened bolo. The Barteaux did poorest, being the thinnest, lightest of them all. Weight differences were very noticable, and heavier choppers, while generally good performers, got to be tiring more quickly. Again, the Fiskars hatchet shines in this department, being fairly light with most of the weight at the most useful place, the head.

The baby bolo did what I expected, reasonably compact, lightweight, somewhat disposable large knife. Fairly quick and simple modification, too.
 
Very cool mod to the Bolo. It's like looking at a machete baby picture.

We can get the 10 inch machetes here. I have a few of them but they really handle like a big butcher knife. I've carried them up into the mountains where they come in handy for digging/chopping out roots and leveling ground.
For busting trail they are just way too short. People here use them for gardening, cutting weeds amid other plants you don't want cut etc. The only place I've found them preferable is up in the mountains, if I have to any machete work i want a longer blade. The 14 - 16 inch are a nice compromise between reach/weight and packability. Mac
 
I picked up the 14" from SMKW's, I was surprised at the quality. I think I payed around $6 for it. no sheath though. bummer.
 
I recently bought three tramontinas (2 bolos and one 12" machete). I took the handle off of one and put on a spalled walnut handle with a maple spacer. Pics coming as soon as I get the edge re ground. (convex)
 
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