What's the best affordable machete around?

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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I thought I heard a voice at the back of the room saying "Ontario Rtak". There could be others. In fact, I am sure there are others.

Since I do not know every nook and corner where good machetes dwell, I ask some of our more learned colleagues about the really good machetes.

Give me a few names with their attributes.
 
Ontario makes a solid product, but their QC is horrible, low end of the spectrum, similar for Tramontina.

Barteaux has limited models, the initial edges are poor, however the steel heat treatment is solid and the designs purely functional.

Martindale is the clear leader in versatility with *many* designs, solid in-house steel and heat treating.

-Cliff
 
My 14 inch bladed Tramontina cost me under $2 U.S. (no sheath) and isn´t bad, I also have an old Guatemalan Collins that´s pretty good, I think both are better than others made localy (Mexico), I´ve never seen any U.S. made machetes over here, my feelling is they would be better and cost more.
 
the make several models...but look at the 2 handed version...its BRUTAL...it makes a camp ax obsolete. SEMPER FI:grumpy:
 
I've found that Filipino bolos are low-priced and work better than most machetes. I have a couple by Kris Cutlery and some made for local use. Since you live in Malaysia you probably can find similar blades over there.
 
i use my "mil-spec" machete every week, as I have for almost a year-They're ~20 bucks, And I'm really happy with mine-I don't own an axe, but there isn't much hardwood for me to cut around here, either. I have had no problems, but I only own the one.--Joe
 
I have three Martindale machetes (thanks to Cliff Stamp). I managed to get out and use all of them somewhat this past fall, but have not put them through the paces as much as I had hoped to. Though there is some definite overlap, each seems best suited for different tasks. These are very high value for the money machetes and I can confidently recommend that you check out Martindale. I doubt that you will be disappointed.

*Edited to make a spelling correction.
 
I have several US issue machetes, some are by Ontario and one by Camillus. They are nearly identical except for the markings but they alll say US on them.

They work well and I don't have to think twice about using them.

I have one D-handle Blackie Collins by Ontario and it's my least favorite because the handle is not comfortable for my hands.

I don't own any Martindale machetes but I have used one a long time ago and remember being impressed.

I used my "US" machetes a ton way back when I was working as a surveyor.

All of the machetes I have ever used had the handles come loose after about two weeks of hard use clearing survey lines. The handles never fell off but they developed some play giving them a not-so-confident feeling.

The Martindale I used was new and I never got to use it enough to see if the handle developed the same loose feeling as the US machetes.

I just assumed all machetes develope the same handle looseness over time.

Is this true with the Martindale machetes?

Anyone have any real experience with the Paratrooper model?

Collecter
 
I have used several Martindale machetes for extended periods of time (100+ hours) with no sign of handle loosening. The Paratrooper is more of a large knife than a machete :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/martindale_machetes.html

I still have a Paratrooper (modifed as noted in the review) if you want it, drop me an email. I split the handle trying to baton it through a piece of mild steel, but it has been glued and is as good as new.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,
How do Martindales compare to traditional parangs / goloks sold by valiantco, such as the borneo parang or survival golok? these are forged from truck springs, I think.

thanks,
 
I have had pretty good luck with Ontario machetes. The new type with the molded D-guard handles are the best since there are no rivets to loosen.


Barteaux also makes some very good machetes: a heavy duty D-guard type and lighter Budget and Economy styles without D guards.


I have also used the Cold Steel Panga and it is a very durable machete although I did not like the way it handled and the factory “edge” needed a lot of work.


I have not used any of the Martindale machetes, but they look like they are well made.


Here are some machete reviews I did:



Barteaux M18 Heavy Duty -


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=207783



Barteaux B18 Budget -


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=215488



Cold Steel Panga -


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=217728





- Frank
 
I don't recall seeing any Martindale machetes over here in Malaysia. I guess they don't sell or import the Martindales into my country.

Surprisingly, their best seller is a golok-type machete. It's true, the golok has the kind of shape that is excellent for the kind of work that machetes are cut out for.
 
I prefer the parang shape, as opposed to the golok (sheepsfoot) shape. The golok has zero belly. I would think that to have some belly would be useful in the jungle, no?
 
spyken :

How do Martindales compare to traditional parangs / goloks sold by valiantco, such as the borneo parang or survival golok?
Click to expand...

The Valiant blades have full convex grinds and work much nicer on thick woods. They achieve the same level of penetration as as similar sized Martindale, and are *much* smoother during the cut (less shock) and much more fluid in the wood. On grasses and other light vegetation there is no advantage to the cutting ability of either.

The Martindale will sharpen easier assuming you keep the full convex grind on the Valiant, if you put a secondary bevel on the Valiant they are similar in ease of sharpening. I personally much prefer the handle shape on the Valiant to the standard Martindale grip, finding it more ergonomic over long periods of use, specifically the downturned end. However with a little work you can get a similar handle on the Martindale, and Martindale does offer a near idential handle shape on some of their models.

The only problem I have seen with the Valiant line is that several I have seen have had problems with hardening, some were too soft and easily rippled, and others much too hard and broke apart. The following happened limbing out very soft wood (pine mostly) :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/golok_l_close.jpg

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/images/golok_s.jpg

That being said customer service is supposed to be very good, so returns/replacements should not be a problem. Considering the retarded price (*very* low) I would not look upon this too harshly.

Regarding the belly on the Golok, the edge sweeps out in a nice smooth arm from tip to choil. The tip is however very broad and not really suitable for precision work, however it more so than many blades of that size as it is very easy to choke forward on the grip due to the pseudo-handle of the contoured steel in front of the grip. There however would be a problem with straight on penetration as with a thrust.

-Cliff
 
Cliff,

For a large camp/survival knife, the paratrooper or the 12" Ontario machete?

I've read a little about the Dexter-Russel fishsplitter, do you have any experience with them?

Thanks,

Collecter
 
The Paratrooper has a much heavier grind and is made for tactical / emergency use, optomized for prying and hacking of very thick and difficult to cut material. The Ontario Machete has a much more optimal profile for foods and vegetation. No experience with the fish-splitter.

-Cliff
 
I would think that to have some belly would be useful in the jungle, no?
Click to expand...

No. If you need a general purpose knife then carry one. The belly on the machete can be dangerous. The blade is usually very springy and if you hit solid with the belly, the thing can flex inward and bounce off. There are probably alot of careless leg wounds that happen this way.

n2s
 
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