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Whi makes/made the best machete in the world?

R

razorhunter

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
470
I've been wanting to find a super high quality machete for years, and quite honestly, have never found it. I realize cheap machetes can and do work, but I've always wanted something better than the crap you see coming from South America etc (forget the brand always recommended to me, but it starts with the letters "Tr" I blv.
I want something with an 18" blade (the perfect blade length IMO), and preferably no cheap wood or plastic handle scales (although I am not against replacing the handle and making my own scales if necessary)
I have not purchased any of the old Collins machetes that were used by the military, but that's bcuz I know they are probably nothing special. I definitely don't care for Philippine Gurkhas or Ghukris or whatever. (not against the curved blades totally, but really prefer a straight standard machete blade 18" long.
Anyone else out there feel the same way? What is out there guys? Somebody has to be making tier 1 machetes, no?
 
Do a search for "52100 hard use machetes" and "52100 North American Machete"
I just received No. 1 and its incredible.
 
Not sure about Fiddleback but a lot of the top of the line, semi-custom machetes actually use Imacasa blades from El Salvador. If you are actually going to use a machete for what it was designed for, it will take a beating. Central and South American machetes aren't "crap," they are tools for people to make a living with.
 
I did not mean the central and south American machetes are total crap, but I want something better, with better materials and better handle fasteners, etc, if possible. I know someone is making something better than a $25 South American machete. If I made my living with a tactical folding pocketknife, I could easily do it with a $9.99 gas station folder from Pakistan, but I'd rather have a Hinderer XM-18. That's all I meant. Thanks guys.
 
Fiddleback uses Imacasa blades just like Condor, but puts top notch handles on them that feel great. They are nice for machetes (handles are excellent), but they are pretty easy to deform at the edge.

I got one of Hunter Martin 's 52100 Machetes too and it is awesome. If you want something with more edge stability than a Fiddleback, this is what I would recommend.
 
Just a note, The older Collins models were nothing to sneeze at. For years they were the premium and premier machete maker in the World, only a few German makers came close.

Fiddleback's start as Imacasa blanks done to his specifications.

Bark River use Ontarios for a starting point for their models.
 
Here is one of Hunters and a few Fiddlebacks


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Those kaLeL machetes look superb! I want one now! Looks like exactly what the OP was looking for.
 
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