Mr.Brown16
Member
Hay guys I am planning on going on a trip spesificly to buy a machete. I thought I would hear what you guys would say about using a machete for hunting first.
Machete?
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Joe Demko
Member
What do you mean a "machete for hunting?" What are you planning on clearing with the machete?
Mr.Brown16
Member
Clearing Trees and thing of that nature.
chief
Member
Cold Steel has a big selection of decent machetes, they now make shorter versions of some of them. A short machete can be a handy belt tool, use as a hand ax, shovel and big knife. The longer ones are handy for camp clearing chores and a formidable weapon of last choice.
If I were hunting in Canada, I'd prefer a good axe by Gransfors or American Tomahawk. Wetterlings seem to be of good quality at a decent price although I haven't used it personally. If you get into a survival situation and need to build a fire and shelter, the axe will be much more effective in the north woods.
I'm assuming that you mean clearing out shooting lanes from your treestand when you say "clearing trees". If you mean property maintenance, buy a Stihl.
I'm assuming that you mean clearing out shooting lanes from your treestand when you say "clearing trees". If you mean property maintenance, buy a Stihl.
Mr.Brown16
Member
How many inches would a short one be? The place ive seen them at had ones about 16 inches is that short or long?
Joe Demko
Member
Machetes are kind of marginal for clearing trees that are much thicker than your fingers. An axe, or even a hatchet or kukri, will do a better job on stuff like that. Have you considered a kukri?
By the way, I concur with Mr. Flory if this is more than clearing a shooting lane or two.
By the way, I concur with Mr. Flory if this is more than clearing a shooting lane or two.
If you still want a machete, I'd suggest an Ontario Knife Co. 18" for ~US$15-20. You need some length in order to be able to chop effectively with it.
If you need it more for campcraft, a Wetterlings axe (the longer the better) may be more useful, but these are both dangerous tools for the inexperienced.
If you need it more for campcraft, a Wetterlings axe (the longer the better) may be more useful, but these are both dangerous tools for the inexperienced.
http://www.kellamknives.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_40&products_id=430Billhooks are awesome, but that Kellam is really pricey. You can get a japanese forged 'brush hook" for $50 instead. Just Google "japanese brush hook".
As for the Kellam Billhook, if anyone has one of the old "red billhooks" that they'd like to sell, please PM me.
As for the Kellam Billhook, if anyone has one of the old "red billhooks" that they'd like to sell, please PM me.
Mr.Brown16
Member
Um I can see it being a problem finding a kukri around were i live but I will keep my eyes open. When I sead clearing trees I ment geting through heavy brush.
If all you need to do is cut thru heavy brush, then a machete is your answer. 18" length is a good general length without being too long or too short. It is light enough for prolonged use but still whippy enough for cutting thru brush and small branches. Get the Ontario Knife version.
A khukri will tire you out as it is a chopping tool.
A khukri will tire you out as it is a chopping tool.
CWL said:
Not likely! I've had half a dozen over the years and they've all been begged off of me, save for the one in my vehicle (and it ain't goin nowheres). Wildlife, forestry, camping, hunting buddies have all lusted after my little red finnish bill hook and convinced me to part with them. Last year at Blade I find out that the fellow (yes, a person) that made them for Kellam had died and they didn't have any more. Now I guard mine jealously.
Mr.Brown16
Member
Thanks for all your answers guys.
I prefer a sawback machete (top of blade is a saw blade). Why not? If you need a saw, it'll do that too. The more versatile, the better.
The Ontario sawback blade is good, and locally at least there is a shop that has a sheath for it that sharpens it each time it is drawn. Pretty slick.
Also check out the Gerber Gator sawback machete. I just picked up one of these today - looks to be very well put-together, nice feel. Only got it because the shop with the Ontarios wasn't open when they were supposed to be, but I don't consider the Gator to be inferior. Only difference to me was that I had kinda wanted that cool sharpening sheath.
By all means avoid those Wal-Mart bendy pieces of crap. Been there, done that.
The Ontario sawback blade is good, and locally at least there is a shop that has a sheath for it that sharpens it each time it is drawn. Pretty slick.
Also check out the Gerber Gator sawback machete. I just picked up one of these today - looks to be very well put-together, nice feel. Only got it because the shop with the Ontarios wasn't open when they were supposed to be, but I don't consider the Gator to be inferior. Only difference to me was that I had kinda wanted that cool sharpening sheath.
By all means avoid those Wal-Mart bendy pieces of crap. Been there, done that.
Alphazulu6
member
Where are you hunting that you would be going through such undergrowth that you would need one? I can understand that the back woods can get pretty thick but what a machete is designed for is furns and green vegitation.
To me it would be another heavy thing I would have to lug around. Ranger Joes sells some nice jungle Cold Steel ones for those who think they are going to Vietnam. Haha
To me it would be another heavy thing I would have to lug around. Ranger Joes sells some nice jungle Cold Steel ones for those who think they are going to Vietnam. Haha
With good technique a machete will clear finger thick sized limbs with a single swipe. Too many people try to do quick little "chops" rather than a good swing and can't seem to understand why their machete won't cut anything. Quality-wise, I use a $13 cheapo from the Tractor Supply Center that I use for landscaping. It hasn't let me down yet and cuts everything I ask it too. I've gotten to the point that I trim and shape hedges with a machete rather than a electric hedge trimmer. For southern backwoods it would work well if you're going in real deep to take your shot.
Woodman's Pal
Check these out. They are sold in quite a few places, I just googled it and am posting this link only so you can see what they look like.
http://www.goldrushtradingpost.com/woodman_s_pal?gclid=CMTIsfGFt40CFQOkHgodYjMXFQ
Check these out. They are sold in quite a few places, I just googled it and am posting this link only so you can see what they look like.
http://www.goldrushtradingpost.com/woodman_s_pal?gclid=CMTIsfGFt40CFQOkHgodYjMXFQ
mgregg85
Member
I use a 22" meyerco sawback machete from dunhams. It's got a nice thick and heavy blade and keeps its edge pretty well. I've managed to chop down several pretty thick saplings, maybe 3" to 4" in diameter. It's worked great for me but I'm wishing now that I would have just got a cold steel machete(the 24" latin or the magnum kukri). They are made from 1055 spring steel which is better than the stainless 420j of the meyerco model. I also have a cheap offbrand kukri that works great for chopping down nearly anything. Its also stainless and wont hold a very good edge for more than a few trees or thick branches. I would highly suggest some kind of high carbon non stainless steel. The hand guard is also a very nice feature, its stopped me from bashing my knuckles several times.
araiford
Member
Cold Steel makes a good kukri style machete. Cheap too. Check ebay.
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