Which of these big knives should i get for outdoor use and bush clearing

Zakkaery, at $100 the browning barker is the best deal. At $160-$200 the ESEE is the best deal. That is my opinion. Both are way better in every way than Condor. You will not regret either purchase.
 
I would guess that a $100 blade SHOULD be better than a $50 blade. But is it twice as good? Doubt it strongly. The Barker is a pretty nice knife by the way.

The blank is the basic machete shape that is cut and then tempered/heat treated, and handles and so forth put on them.
 
Interesting point. I do think that a crowel barker bowie is twice as good as a $50 knife. But I don't think a Junglas(retails for near $200) is twice as good as the crowel Barker. I own both and If I had to sell one it would be the crowel barker, but the Junglas is not twice as good. confusing, lol
 
I like knives like that. I have no doubt that the Barker is better than the Condor Kumunga. Both have 10" blades. I was never a fan of the Junglas and always felt they were over priced, but a pretty good chopper none the less.

I may have to look into the Barker myself for a future acquisition. I just don't use the big ones often. But yeah, I have a good selection of Condors already.
 
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The ESEE Junglas is a very nice looking chopper but it is unfortunately out of my price range it's about 300 cdn, I think I might end up with the Ka Bar parangatang or the tops 230 just because they seem to use better steel then the condor (although now that I know about them I know I will get a Condor at a later date.) The only thing is with the parangatang the handle doesn't look comfortable or ergonomic.
 
Zakkaery said:
The ESEE Junglas is a very nice looking chopper but it is unfortunately out of my price range it's about 300 cdn, I think I might end up with the Ka Bar parangatang or the tops 230 just because they seem to use better steel then the condor (although now that I know about them I know I will get a Condor at a later date.) The only thing is with the parangatang the handle doesn't look comfortable or ergonomic.
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If you're gonna go cheapish I recommend you go full cheap and buy a machete of a reputable brand instead of an overpriced one.

A TOPS machete seems like a waste of money to me, especially when a Tramontina will perform just as well and you can buy more than one. ESEE also makes a machete, but again, it seems like a waste when you could just do as almost every machete user does, buy cheap and reputable.

I forgot to mention this guy

the-baryonyx-machete-5.gif


http://www.baryonyxknife.com/bama.html
 
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DPC said:
If you're gonna go cheapish I recommend you go full cheap and buy a machete of a reputable brand instead of an overpriced one.

A TOPS machete seems like a waste of money to me, especially when a Tramontina will perform just as well and you can buy more than one. ESEE also makes a machete, but again, it seems like a waste when you could just do as almost every machete user does, buy cheap and reputable.

I forgot to mention this guy

the-baryonyx-machete-5.gif


http://www.baryonyxknife.com/bama.html
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Remember that the Tops and Kabars are made of higher quality steel and probably have a better heat treatment. Because of this, they will likely hold an edge much longer and take more abuse then a cheap machete like the one you suggested. They also are US companies with excellent warranties and will quickly replace your machete if you happen to break it, get one with a defect, exc. These are some things to consider and imo make the US made ones worth the extra money. YMMV.
 
I've never seen a cheap machete from a decent machete maker company break. I've seen them dinged, rippled, bent, and blunt, but never broke. I've seen expensive examples of heavy hard long blades fail though; those built hard to compete with an axe.
 
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GREENJACKET said:
I've never seen a cheap machete from a decent machete maker company break. I've seen them dinged, rippled, bent, and blunt, but never broke. I've seen expensive examples of heavy hard long blades fail though; those built hard to compete with an axe.
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That's whats nice about the pricer ones, they dont generally ding, ripple, bend, or blunt as easily because they are tougher, harder steel with a better heat treatment. And, if they do any of those things or even break right in half you get a new one pretty much right away with no hassle due to the great warranties. They also hold an edge much better too which is nice imo. The cheap ones are still effective though and are a great value if you dont want to spend too much. They are also great options if you plan to really torture them as they are cheap to replace.
 
If you are a long way from home then you can't afford your "big" tool to break. Its taken a lot of resources to carry it in and for it to break is not funny.
At home then it doesn't matter.

Companies have often come a cropper when building big hard chopping blades. Getting that hard edge onto a softer tough spine isn't easy and the forces involved in big blade work aren't nice to hard edges either. Again, I've had and seen some expensive stuff go horribly wrong. Warranty isn't much help out there trying to get a job done.

Its taken me a long time to find the selection of tools that I have confidence in. I always take a well tested old tool on an adventure than an "untried by me" new one.
 
DPC and Greenjacket you do bring up good points with the cheaper machete, but this will be my first big chopper so I do want something a little more showey that does have good edge retention, hence why I said the ka bar and tops are my two top choices right now (1095 cro van and 1095 respectively) also they are about 20-30 dollars more then the condors or other cheap machetes go for up north here (until you get too the fifty dollar range which would be like your 20/30 dollar range,) also the handles on the tops is micarta and I do like me some micarta.
Also i have been looking at the smatchet from cold steel but the other choppers seem to have better steel quality.
 
Buy what you fancy. There is always a bit of luck involved as one blade may last a lifetime another from another batch the first week. Learning and getting used to a blade is as important.
I'm the wrong person to ask what blades have the most luck and therefore best chance to give some good service. Think what you are most likely going to chop, and is the construction up to it? Plus is it efficient for its weight and will you have to carry it far?

I know the Smatchet from old and to me isn't that great a design. Go for something less radical. I'm not a fan of the "big" knife either as most are just inefficient; better get the tool designed specifically for the job.

Good luck with your search.
 
I have a Condor Warlock which is a heavy chopping beast, but weighty for all day use. That said for a more all around camp/bushcfrafty/chopping blade I'd prefer my Moonshiner. It'll do most tasks very well, but I like to also carry a smaller blade for the finer tasks.

I do like the looks of earlier mentioned Baryonyx Machete, but haven't used one...yet.
 
Interesting that this thread has been brought back to life. I wonder what blade the OP chose?
 
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