Rate Machete Brands

[bubba in ca]

I usually sharpen it to about 4 inches before the handle because I have no use for that part of the blade. However, there is a bushcraft guy on youtube who sharpens this part to a fine edge so he can use it for a draw knife to skin the bark off of poles, etc.

Someday I'll do a self defense machete and sharpen everything on the bottom and 4 or 5 inches on the top.

Note that the cutacha has a small false edge. I sharpened it up but have no idea why a machete would be double edged for farm or jungle use. The knife looks like a sword, but the flexibility would make it a poor stabbing weapon.

Machetes are usually made of carbon steel and will rust, but if you wipe it off and dry it with a rag after use it won't be a problem. It will darken with a patina with time. On my large ones that get little use I started painting them with fast dry spray paint. I leave the edge paint free and apply some oil. The one in my truck toolbox I have to take out occasionally and inspect it. Rust starts at the thinnest part--the edge. Maybe wrapping in an oiled rag would be good.

 

[bubba in ca]

I looked up Gebr Weyersberg online and got this: http://www.corneta.com.br/en/empresa.php
It looks like an old German metal works that moved to Brazil.

That made me curious so I looked up Truper brand from Mexico. They are a Mexican company that allied with True Temper in the US for years and then went on their own name. https://www.truper.com/catvigente/buscador.php?palabra=Machetes
I didn't notice an English button on the site but the pictures are self-explanatory. Click on "siguente" and you will see there are over 30 different machetes offered!

Note that machetes have different names in different Spanish speaking countries.

 

[JohnnyFlake]

When this thread first started it reminded me that I wanted a couple Machetes, so I read what was posted at the time and ended up ordering two Tramontina 14" Bolo Machetes from the company direct for $12.75 each. With shipping is cost me $31.80.

Got them today, about 5 days. They are really very nice! I may even get two more.

 

[bubba in ca]

Do the Tramontinas come sharp? The bolo design makes them a little front heavy, which is good for chopping.

 

[JohnnyFlake]

Do the Tramontinas come sharp? The bolo design makes them a little front heavy, which is good for chopping.

Yes, the larger front portion of the blade give it more weight up front and it helps amazingly well when chopping brush and such.

They both came pretty sharp, not razor sharp, but plenty sharp for chopping brush, cactus, etc.

 

[Lone Star]

Johnny-

Did you order from Baryonx and did you pay the fee for sharpening the blades and trimming up the handles? It seems well worth the $6-7 price.

How were your machetes shipped? UPS, etc.

Are the handles comfortable?

 

[JohnnyFlake]

Johnny-

Did you order from Baryonx and did you pay the fee for sharpening the blades and trimming up the handles? It seems well worth the $6-7 price.

How were your machetes shipped? UPS, etc.

Are the handles comfortable?

No, I ordered from the Machete Store. I believe it's machetestore.com

They were $12.95 each, not $12.75 = $25.90 Total + $5.95 USPS Priority 2-3 Day Shipping for a grand total of $31.85 I got them is 3 or 4 days.

I did not pay anything extra for sharpening or trimming the handles, but they came very sharp and the handles are fine, no sanding or finishing needed.

 

[Skyshot]

Don't know much about machetes. But I have a Columbian made Gavilan 18 inch that was given to me, that I've been using for trail maintenance. Holds a good edge and hacks laurel branches as good as anything that I've used. Not sure what steel is used in the blade. For free though, I can't complain.

 

[desidog]

I just got an Ontario 18" in the mail.

It did not come with an edge... the metal is ground on both sides, but the grinds do not meet... nothing i can't fix, but i'm not impressed!

 

[Lone Star]

desidog--

Thanks. That just deleted the Ontario from my list. I've read that many handles are also poorly fitted.

 

[Smith357]

Most machetes and axes do not come from the factory sharp, its not until you get into the high end stuff that they come sharp. They do this for a couple of reasons, production costs, legal liability, and letting the end user set the edge to his preferred angle for the work they are doing. A super thin razor edge is great for green growth but not so good for grub work or heavy woody stuff. Also as most machete's are consumable working farm tools the handles almost always leave a lot of room for improvement, file them to fit and wrap them in sport tape for grip. Machetes are really not meant to be presentation pieces they are simple cheap working tools, though it can be fun gussying them up. I customized an Ontario using home made black canvas micarta and brass and leather spacers. Then sanded off the phosphate coating down to 500 grit, put on a fairly thin convex edge on it for light work, and forced a patina.

 

[azrocks]

Awesome work Smith! That's just beautiful

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I've been using an Ontario machete for many years and it's done the job just fine.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have a Tramontina made in Brasil it works well for me.

Same here I had my Tram since the 1980's I have a cold steel Bolo , a no name in the trunk of the car and Gavilan Colombia that is 24 inches long.

 

[22-rimfire]

I have quite a few machetes. I have tried Ontario stuff and hated it. The best overall that I have encountered are the Condor machetes (made by Imacasa). I have heard some good things about the Cold Steel (Imacasa made machetes). I have had such good luck with the Condor stuff I have never gotten around to buying a Tamontina blade.

The best latin machete in my opinion is the Condor El Salvador model. The wood handles fit me like a glove (no sanding needed). Poly and micarta handles are also available. The leather sheaths that come with most Condors makes them well worth the price.

I don't think sanding down the handles is part of the normal sharpening service that Baryonx provides. He's a good guy.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Don't know much about machetes. But I have a Columbian made Gavilan 18 inch that was given to me, that I've been using for trail maintenance. Holds a good edge and hacks laurel branches as good as anything that I've used. Not sure what steel is used in the blade. For free though, I can't complain.

I got one that is 22 Inches.

 

[Lone Star]

22-rimfire-

I talked to him and he will sand doen and shap the handle. tink that may b t of the honing process, but he does both.

 

[22-rimfire]

Good deal. I hope you are happy with what you get from Baronyx. He probably has the most personalized machete service of any of the retailers other than going "custom" which often start with a Imacasa blank (Fiddleback Forge and Bark River). Baronyx (42-Blades) is well regarded.

 

[C0untZer0]

When I was originally looking at the Baryonyx machete this video wasn't out yet. But I just came across it this morning.

Its probably a lot of weight to swing for just clearing green foliage, but the last time I cleared brush, I alternated between my Gerber Gator and an Estwing Camper's axe when I had t chop down woody stuff (Mulberry trees/bushes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6622tRNga1A

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I am thinking about making a PVC sheath one of my Machetes.