Who makes good machete

B

bluerain

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Im looking to buy a machete. Do far I'm looking at a condor parang ( 1/4")or the Thai ens( 1/8"). I like the Thai enns because it seems it can be trusted. Im also thinking about a kukri. I need it for clearing 2-3" privet. I also want to be able to use it for camping chores. Any recommendations? I'm leaning towards a smaller knife with an axe or a machete. The problem with the machete is you can't really use it to hammer. I guess a tree limb or a rock could remedy that. Tyb..I like the golock as well. I may be able to hammer on the 1/4 parang .
 
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You might also consider a Billhook, which is the traditional tool for clearing privet.
A golok or parang are also useful for this kind of work. Machetes are too thin (IMHO) and more
suitable for grasses, vines and the odd bit of green bamboo. They have more of a tendency to "bounce"
on clearing/coppicing work. You need a little more weight behind the cut, although some of the thicker bladed
machete's will no doubt work well. The Thai Enep is also useful and the forward recurve gives a kukhri like cut.
 
Billhooks are great for the task (especially trimming and maintenance of "domesticated" privet since you can more easily reach the branches) but extraordinarily difficult to track down in the US as the companies that make traditional models don't have established distribution here at the moment. I respectfully disagree regarding the concern regarding the thinness of machetes as that depends on the pattern and model. I think a machete would do a fine job of taking out overgrown/"wild" or "naturalized" privet, but the key is in finding a model designed with heavier chopping in mind, and decent blade length will help with reaching the "core" branches and getting past the offshoots. A panga would likely do nicely.
 
I had the Condor Parang & Golok....I still have the Golok, my favorite of the two ! Both are 1/4" thick & built tough but the handle was more comfortable on the Golok & the blade design was easier to get use to & find the sweet spot.
 
Take a look over at the himalayan imports section of the site. There have been some awesome deals there lately
 
They make nice choppers, but I wouldn't consider them machetes. :)
 
Fiddleback does have some nice cutting tools. Reading the post about the hammering...yes, it can be done with a machete. I have watched quite a few skilled workers use the basic Tramontina in this role, of course, it is not a hammer but it will work if this is the sole tool in your grasp. The non-sharpened portion of the machete makes for a hell of a weapon as well!

I know we are all different but I have grown fond of the RTAK-II. Mine has a wrapped handle of light paracord and seems to fit me perfectly. There was some bad press regarding this knife including reports that the heat treatment was inadequate etc. Mine has performed splendidly in the role of a lighter, short machete style knife. I've used that knife for over a year now with nary a sputter. It cuts as well or better than my Basic 9 and is something different to carry into the bush when boredom creaps up as it does on all of us.

Wonder if the Kabar grass machete would tweak your interest?
 
I liked both the Condor Golok & Parang -- but was very underwhelmed with the Thai Enep Machete.
Kabar Grass Machete is not bad
RTAK2 is good, but does not have a lot of reach
Fiddleback machetes are great - but not cheap, and the blade is made by Imacasa, who also makes Condor.
 
I actually like the ESEE Lite Machete...it is essentially a condor with a micarta handle. A little pricy but the handle is really quite nice. I have a Condor and a Marble...really like them both!
 
I like the ESEE Lite Machete as well. The price is well justified due to the difficulty of creating a micarta handled machete with a hidden tang, and they pull it off brilliantly. I just like polypropylene because it's cheap, tough, and just plain works. :D
 
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