whats a good machete??

Runsalone

Runsalone

Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Messages
1,150
Ive been reading about ontarios millitary issue 18" machetes on this site and apparently they have some Q.C. issuse can anyone suggest some good ones that dont come with a crappy sheath!?? Thanks for any input!!!


OH p.s I guess Im more interested in an 18-20" somthing length


thanks all!


P.S.P.S. I think they may have been referring to the 10" survival machete but im not sure??? Maybe the regular ones dont suck?? fell free to straighten me out on this issue.
 
Becker Knife & Tool has thier Bush Hog which is IMO the best production machete available. They can be found for under $80 which might sound steep but it's far from the "disposable" stuff that everyone offers. The Cold Steel Bolo machete looks promising and very inexpensive but I have yet to handle one.

Dayuhan
 
I've broken 2 machetes while cutting down 4 to 6 inch trees. The problem is that if you take a good swing & hit the tree too close to the handle, the thin blade vibrates & snaps off.
That's why I now carry a SwampRat BattleRat. Though shorter, it chops about as well & is lighter. It will NEVER break off while chopping. Being shorter makes it much more versatile around camp too. I like tools I can depend on. This is one.
 
Machetes weren't really designed to fell trees, which is why they break. Of course, neither were knives, but they do work in a pinch.

Martindale machetes are well designed and there are a variety of designs to choose from. This site even has the better sheaths for some of them.
 
I agree that machetes are'nt designed to chop down trees. My point however is that you will use what you've got when out in the field. Just because my tool was'nt designed for a particular chore, it should'nt break.
When traveling light or in a survival situation, it's important that tools are dependable & multifunctional.

As to machetes, I'll pick the Collins 18" or 24" for the best. Good steel, classic design, and rippled blade that avoids "lockups" on deep chops.

http://www.usmilitarysurplus.com/surpluscatalog/default.php?cPath=39&sort=4a
 
Have you considered the Ontario Backwoods Chopper machetes? They have an 1/8" thick blade, should be a bit sturdier for chopping wood etc. They come in 12 & 18" lengths. As far as crappy sheaths go, I think that is the norm for machetes. I have a sheath for the 12" machete that I got from Brigade QM years ago that is almost perfect but they no longer list them.:mad: If I were to buy another machete I'd probably get my leather working tools out and make my own sheath.
gino
 
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