quality machete?
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EHCRain10
Member
check out a woodman's pal
recently got one and it works great
recently got one and it works great
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Ontario
They do an 18" and a 22" machete in 1095 carbon steel.
Not pricey, and it'll do the job.
If you're near a Cabelas, they have a "Jumbo Machete" (more of a short sword if you ask me) in 440c stainless for $25. Don't remember who makes it.
They also have something that looks like a short Japanese sword, but it's labeled "machete" on the rack. Quite stout and light.
They do an 18" and a 22" machete in 1095 carbon steel.
Not pricey, and it'll do the job.
If you're near a Cabelas, they have a "Jumbo Machete" (more of a short sword if you ask me) in 440c stainless for $25. Don't remember who makes it.
They also have something that looks like a short Japanese sword, but it's labeled "machete" on the rack. Quite stout and light.
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Not the Droids
Correction, the "Jumbo Machete" that Cabelas carries is done in 420 stainless, not 440, and it's the "Meyerco SS Machete" (SS = stainless steel).
It has a saw edge on the back of the blade, and I can't figure out how you'd use that, given the full guard on the handle.
Please ignore this suggestion.
It got horrible reviews. Bad steel, weak blade.
It looks kinda cool and shiny in the package.
Those who have used it say things like, "worst machete ever."
These are not the droids you're looking for.
Go with Ontario.
Correction, the "Jumbo Machete" that Cabelas carries is done in 420 stainless, not 440, and it's the "Meyerco SS Machete" (SS = stainless steel).
It has a saw edge on the back of the blade, and I can't figure out how you'd use that, given the full guard on the handle.
Please ignore this suggestion.
It got horrible reviews. Bad steel, weak blade.
It looks kinda cool and shiny in the package.
Those who have used it say things like, "worst machete ever."
These are not the droids you're looking for.
Go with Ontario.
Charles S
Member
Cold Steel carries a number of quality machetes that are quite reasonable priced.
http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html
Personally I really like their Kukri machetes.
Good luck.
http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html
Personally I really like their Kukri machetes.
Good luck.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I have two WWII Woodsman's Pals, and two Collins (18" & 24") Machetes in my collection.
I can assure you the W-P is not the tool you want for jungle clearing!
A 24" Collins will do more cutting in one swing then the W-P will do before you wear yourself out!
On the otherhand, the W-P brush-hook feature is nice for garden clearing and such.
But I think they are a better small ax then a machete.
I also have a more recent GI issue Ontario 18" machete and it is a good one too.
rcmodel
I can assure you the W-P is not the tool you want for jungle clearing!
A 24" Collins will do more cutting in one swing then the W-P will do before you wear yourself out!
On the otherhand, the W-P brush-hook feature is nice for garden clearing and such.
But I think they are a better small ax then a machete.
I also have a more recent GI issue Ontario 18" machete and it is a good one too.
rcmodel
borrowedtime69
Member
new machete on the market
my recommendation is the new Gerber Gator Machete. i have one, got it for around $20.
the handle grips well, is comfortable and will last you a long time. with no guard on the handle, its easy to use the saw. the teeth on the saw are offset to dig in agressively. the sheath is ballistic nylon with a hard liner inside and can be worn on a belt. - Eric
my recommendation is the new Gerber Gator Machete. i have one, got it for around $20.
the handle grips well, is comfortable and will last you a long time. with no guard on the handle, its easy to use the saw. the teeth on the saw are offset to dig in agressively. the sheath is ballistic nylon with a hard liner inside and can be worn on a belt. - Eric
for clarification, this is not a machete for traditional use like clearing and cutting a trail, this is a butchering machete for chopping up deer/hogs
i need something i can swing through a femur/humerus with, without breaking it too often...as to getting a saw...well i have one but it's a much slower and arduous process having to get it and saw through the bone vs a one swing and done
i have a gerber brush thinner for actual clearing etc and it does it's job better than most machete's i've ever owned, it holds an edge well and the hook is great, and while the blade is plenty tough enough for wood, the 5th or 6th leg bone i chopped through took a piece out of the blade and i really need something different for butchering duty
i need something i can swing through a femur/humerus with, without breaking it too often...as to getting a saw...well i have one but it's a much slower and arduous process having to get it and saw through the bone vs a one swing and done
i have a gerber brush thinner for actual clearing etc and it does it's job better than most machete's i've ever owned, it holds an edge well and the hook is great, and while the blade is plenty tough enough for wood, the 5th or 6th leg bone i chopped through took a piece out of the blade and i really need something different for butchering duty
Pax Jordana
Member
Butchering? Why not a cleaver?
Aside:
Some such writer (I remember it was a "ranger" manual from granddad's library) said "You don't need an axe if you're butchering for survival. Luckily, the good Lord saw fit to make animals that come apart at the joints."
Aside:
Some such writer (I remember it was a "ranger" manual from granddad's library) said "You don't need an axe if you're butchering for survival. Luckily, the good Lord saw fit to make animals that come apart at the joints."
ArfinGreebly
Moderator Emeritus
Butchering . . .
Well, if I were going to use something called a machete for butchering, I'd want something shorter and tougher than a normal machete.
Ontario used to make a beavertail machete, but I don't know if they still do. I would love to get my hands on one. It's very close to the one I had (a USMC bolo) when I was in high school.
However . . .
This one here, however, is still a production item:
It's part of their "Spec Plus" line, designated "SP8 Machete, Survival" and, yes, that squared-off nose is actually sharpened.
I keep one of those in the Jeep. You can pay anywhere from $40 to $60 for them, so shop around.
Well, if I were going to use something called a machete for butchering, I'd want something shorter and tougher than a normal machete.
Ontario used to make a beavertail machete, but I don't know if they still do. I would love to get my hands on one. It's very close to the one I had (a USMC bolo) when I was in high school.
However . . .
This one here, however, is still a production item:
I keep one of those in the Jeep. You can pay anywhere from $40 to $60 for them, so shop around.
Charles S
Member
Ah, I am familiar with that one. A friend of mine (ex military) refers to that as Ontario's combat frosting spreader. LOL
Back on topic. I really don't like hacking away when butchering an animal, if however I chose to I would look really hard into a cleaver.
I was just going to suggest Tramontina when RonSC beat me to it.
I suggest the Tramontina Bolo for a whole $6 from eknifeworks.com.
I suggest the Tramontina Bolo for a whole $6 from eknifeworks.com.
You've got to check out the Martindale/Crocodile line of machetes. I found some pics of several models on the net: http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/807623/
Condor Tool & Knife also has a good selection of big, honkin' cleaver/machete type knives:
http://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/manufacturer/112/1/condor-knives.html
Condor Tool & Knife also has a good selection of big, honkin' cleaver/machete type knives:
http://www.knifecountryusa.com/store/manufacturer/112/1/condor-knives.html
Coyote3855
Member
Joe Demko
Member
I came into this thread all puffed up and ready to bless you with the word on Tramontina. It seems RonSC and hso have already done so.
ocharry
Member
i think you need a SAWS ALL with a long course blade,,,,,,,,,,,just pull the trigger and cut it off
ocharry
ocharry
Growing up I often worked clearing brush country to make roads in my grandfather's ranch. Our main tools were the axe and the machete. I really never paid attention to the brand of the machete, if it even had one. The only factors to consider were that the blade be sharp and the machete be balanced. We used the the type recommended by Charles S earlier in this thread. The Latin model. Not in that brand, of course.
\\http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html
The main thing to a machete is the technique used to strike. For greater effectiveness, strike at a slant instead of straight downward.
\\http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html
The main thing to a machete is the technique used to strike. For greater effectiveness, strike at a slant instead of straight downward.
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