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this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605994 has alot of nice ones. some choppers mixed in, but some cool machete typel blades as well.
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Your best machete
- Thread starter alberich
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Mac - Just curious, have you handled a BRKT golok? If so, what did you think?
Ive been using machetes for well over 30 years and currently own 5 or 6; 
...the Bark River KSF Machete is by far the best one Ive ever used, well worth the price of admission. :thumbup:
In fact the sheath itself is an awesome piece of very functional gear; it alone is worth half the price of this fine tool.
Just one users opinion, YMMV.
"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."
Big Mike
...the Bark River KSF Machete is by far the best one Ive ever used, well worth the price of admission. :thumbup:
In fact the sheath itself is an awesome piece of very functional gear; it alone is worth half the price of this fine tool.
Just one users opinion, YMMV.
"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space."
Big Mike
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- Dec 16, 2008
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- 916
Not a machete, but I have grown fond of my Woodmans Pal. Pretty bulletproof and up to any task.
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- Jul 22, 2005
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Condor will have a new carbon machete coming out in the near future, which I sadly had nothing to do with it. Of course I'm going to talk about it before it comes out though :/
They showed it to me at bladeshow last year when I first met them, I told them they weren't getting it back
Which tells me how bad I need to do this review!
This one is TOP NOTCH.
Un modified, it is hands down the best machete I have ever used. The handle is unbelievably strong (completely owns a factory ontario, with their handles cracking, falling apart. I've ran over this machete handle and tried to smash it with a 4 lb sledge hammer) and this machete comes RAZOR sharp, tapered and properly made!
and it will be under $26 bucks. Hands down better than any un-modified and even some modified machetes I've seen.
There is your Glock, kind sir!!!! Without having to spend alot of money!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU9zJtMZULI
Save your money and just wait a month or so.
They showed it to me at bladeshow last year when I first met them, I told them they weren't getting it back
Which tells me how bad I need to do this review!
This one is TOP NOTCH.
Un modified, it is hands down the best machete I have ever used. The handle is unbelievably strong (completely owns a factory ontario, with their handles cracking, falling apart. I've ran over this machete handle and tried to smash it with a 4 lb sledge hammer) and this machete comes RAZOR sharp, tapered and properly made!
and it will be under $26 bucks. Hands down better than any un-modified and even some modified machetes I've seen.
There is your Glock, kind sir!!!! Without having to spend alot of money!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU9zJtMZULI
Save your money and just wait a month or so.
Last edited:
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- Mar 3, 2008
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- 1,341
I don't have any machetes (yet), but what would you say is the "best" all-around length for one? Something that can chop, clear brush, and whatever other tasks you may find?
Would 14" or so be about right?
Would 14" or so be about right?
TY again for your opinions, gents, and again keep it coming even if I already almost reached my decision.
Since I have one Tramontina already, I think I will buy both Condor and Ontario and give it a try. I'm only considering if I want to wait for the carbon Condor, but most likely I will since I tend to prefer carbon blades.
Is it already known when the new carbon Condor machete will be available?
Since I have one Tramontina already, I think I will buy both Condor and Ontario and give it a try. I'm only considering if I want to wait for the carbon Condor, but most likely I will since I tend to prefer carbon blades.
Is it already known when the new carbon Condor machete will be available?
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No I haven't. I be so po' I can't afford the rest of the word. Mac
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- Feb 28, 2006
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- 4,012
Horn Dog put up a good thread here somewhere regarding the performance he can squeeze from the little Ontario. The Barkie is surely a more pretty package but diminishing returns kicks in pretty quick if you've got a savvy bloke, a blade with potential under the hood, and a bit of patience.
The two below are his:
Hopefully he'll chime in on this.
His findings seem to accord with my own, and what I wrote recently in the Martindale thread regarding the #2. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622157
In my opinion it is all about flow. Any half decent machete can cut small stuff if it is sharp. That's really all it needs to be, thin and sharp. But when it comes to working with thicker stuff what follows the cutting edge is just as important as the edge itself - flow! The #2 makes for a good example. It ships with something akin to a scandi grind, and down the handle end the shoulders of the V are especially pronounced. That's crap. Get rid of that silliness and the beast bites much deeper. That's going to be what gives the performance to the Bark River offering that people rave about.
Just for fun below shows a #2 I'm working on for someone now. It's far from complete but you'll get the idea. It's worth noting that the actual angle of the cutting edge hasn't changed from NIB [yet]. The massive improvements in cutting power are all coming from modifying what follows it. If you like deep penetration it's worth a thought.
The two below are his:
Hopefully he'll chime in on this.
His findings seem to accord with my own, and what I wrote recently in the Martindale thread regarding the #2. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622157
In my opinion it is all about flow. Any half decent machete can cut small stuff if it is sharp. That's really all it needs to be, thin and sharp. But when it comes to working with thicker stuff what follows the cutting edge is just as important as the edge itself - flow! The #2 makes for a good example. It ships with something akin to a scandi grind, and down the handle end the shoulders of the V are especially pronounced. That's crap. Get rid of that silliness and the beast bites much deeper. That's going to be what gives the performance to the Bark River offering that people rave about.
Just for fun below shows a #2 I'm working on for someone now. It's far from complete but you'll get the idea. It's worth noting that the actual angle of the cutting edge hasn't changed from NIB [yet]. The massive improvements in cutting power are all coming from modifying what follows it. If you like deep penetration it's worth a thought.
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- Jul 22, 2005
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Very soon I hope. You guys will be first to know!
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- Jul 7, 2004
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- 1,327
Imacasa which I think are Condor parent company, probably the best of the bunch of the Latin America line up. Their website lists rockwell hardness, testing, some sharpening advise. I have several and they are great. Probably that carbon steel Condor is going to be an Imacasa.
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- Oct 12, 2006
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- 370
Joe,
Is this the machete you were talking about. Site says they are available.
http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=63
Is this the machete you were talking about. Site says they are available.
http://www.condortk.com/productsdetail.php?prodid=63
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- Jul 22, 2005
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yeah, but I don't think any distributors have 'em yet. And they won't have a sheath to cut that crazy cost down. The sheaths are great, but they should be available separate. They cost almost as much as the machete to make. I'm not downing an ontario machete, but these things stomp them into the ground.
Bald, that reprofile looks marvelous. Please post your developments as you go through with it!
Bald, that reprofile looks marvelous. Please post your developments as you go through with it!
I love Bark River knives, but I would advise against buying their machete. Golok, yes. Machete, no. It is an Ontario that has been modded. Modded very well, but worth an extra $100? I personally don't think so.
I have a 12" Ontario and 12" Tram. I'm currently in the process of convexing the Ontario, a VERY long process using sandpaper and a mousepad.
If you want something nice that is also very functional, go with a BRKT Golok or have Christof (Koyote Knives) make you something. If you want something that won't cost much but will perform like a champ, go with the Ontario.
One thing worth considering is that for the $100 more, it comes with an incredible leather sheath specifically designed for it.
Not just a mod--but a whole package.
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- Jan 11, 2008
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I currently don't have a machete but I have been looking for quite a while. My plan is to pick up a 14" Tram Bolo and maybe a Condor Golok down the road.
It is very easy to modify a machete yourself. I did my old one in an afternoon including putting a flat ground/convex combo edge, re-handled in corian and made a sheath and it took the better part of a day. I think its a much better option then spending big bucks for essentially the same thing. If you do a search there is a great thread by Pict on his modifications.
It is very easy to modify a machete yourself. I did my old one in an afternoon including putting a flat ground/convex combo edge, re-handled in corian and made a sheath and it took the better part of a day. I think its a much better option then spending big bucks for essentially the same thing. If you do a search there is a great thread by Pict on his modifications.