What Machete?

M

mora the explorer

Joined
Jan 3, 2011
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So far I'm looking at getting a South African made Cold Steel but I want to consider all my options so what is better? I would like to spend under $100.
 
I dont think you can go wrong with a CS machete. They seem to hold up really well for how little they cost, and resharpen easily with a bastard file. Im very happy with the 2 Kukri Machetes I have. I guess what you want to do with it will determine the blade style thats best for you.
 
i just ordered yesterday two machetes (one for me and one for dad)....i got two of the 14" tramontino bolo.

both were $24 shipped.
 
What you end up with will depend on the tasks you want to accomplish with it. From an overall standpoint, my personal recommendations for a brand are (in no particular order) Condor/Imacasa, Hansa, Cold Steel, Ontario, Tramontina. Anything from any of those companies should do well for you, but if we were to know a little more about the specific tasks you want to do with it we might have an easier time pinning down a specific model for you. :)
 
I have never yet heard anything but praise for the Ka-bar machetes. Haven't gotten up the courage to put that much into a tool I have no real use for, but I have seen like 50 people at least say they are the best machetes you can buy (for a reasonable price).
 
What Kabar calls a machete isn't really a machete. Other than their new Grass Machete, they're all big chopping knives. While I hear many good things about them I really could argue a strong case against them being the best machete for a reasonable price. That prize goes to Condor in my book--and if you change the criteria from "reasonable price" to "on the cheap" then Tramontina is the overwhelming winner. Just my thoughts at least. :)
 
I have an Imacasa daga and a 18" latin style Bellotto that I am fond of. My 14" tram bolo has and is my work horse though.
 
Don't forget to look at the Fiddleback machetes, they are all $100. The ESEE has a pretty fat handle, and the CS machete's have a real fat handle.

Condor/Imacasa are great for the money, Fiddleback and ESEE use those blades and add their handles.

Ontario makes pretty good machetes, but you'll have to create an edge, maybe mod the handles. My favorite short and thick machete is their 12" long 1/8" thick Cutlass, for $20 it is a kick ass chopper.
 
The Fiddlebacks are awesome, but don't come with a sheath so getting one done up would push it above the $100 mark. I love my 16" and 18", but they don't get carried enough because of the lack of sheathing besides cardboard. :p
 
I had a Cold Steel with a terrible heat treat.It was very soft and a small bend would cause it to take a set.I've also had two Cold Steel machetes that were ok.My favorite is the Condor 18" Eco-lite and a 14" carbon steel Condor.I also love a 14" Tram.A machete is a working tool and my favorite brands Condor and Imacasa have several models under $20.I just can't see paying any more than that.The 14" and 18" Trams are under $10 and I've got very good use from them as well.It hurts a lot less to ding a $10 machete than a $100 one and in my case I'll use the $10 machete a lot more for what it was designed for.

Don't get me wrong though.When a maker adds a micarta handle and does the profile work,he has put enough time into it that it's a cheap deal for $100.If that's what you really want than go for it.

As far as the edge goes,at some point you are going to have to sharpen it anyway so a fairly rough factory grind isn't that big of a deal to me.
 
Condor over cold steel. Lots of reasons, but best one lifetime warranty.
 
Condor Bush Knife. Hooked blade on one side for grass/brambles/vines, hatchet blade on the other for branches. I love mine. :)
 
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