Best Machete?

[aczlan]

I too old for any kind of machete games. Got a Stihl FS350 with a head that takes three - free swinging high carbon steel blades. It will take ANYTHING organic down that's less than 2" in diameter.

After Dad's experience with a machete (almost removing a kneecap), I won't use one. A weedeater or a tractor and bush hog is much less work and more effective.

Aaron Z

 

[davrow]

I thought a machete would be perfect for path clearing through our brush. I just got a sub-20 dollar one, don't remember from where.

But our brush is too spingy, it doesn't cut, just bends out of the way.

Now I just grab branches and break them off. Works fine for the desert brush I need to deal with.

 

[Baby Grand]

See if you can find a gently used Collins Axe Co machete on e-bay, CL, or at your local flea market.
It won't be cheap, but you'll be getting high quality steel that will take and hold an edge.
Few things are more treacherous than a dull machete.
To keep the edge shave-your-face sharp, I'd get a pair of scythe stones, one medium grit Bregenzer and one fine grit Rozsutec.
They can be used to sharpen lots of things in the shop (and kitchen) besides the machete.

 

[dragoneggs]

The BEST machete is a very sharp one in your EXPERIENCED hand when the enemy (snake, branch, VC, potato that needs to be sliced) is there.

I've many "machetes" dating from the Vietnam War to maybe 3 years ago.

You've got to try the "balance" of the machete versus what you are cutting. If I'm moving through "medium dense" bush I like a decently heavy head with about a 18" blade length. Wacking vines and saplings while not getting my hand in the briars.

When I was cutting in dense bamboo I preferred the "woodsmans pal" type noted by Steve. Easy to swing, heavy head to help the cut but short so I could swing.

I keep one of those under my truck seat.

Get several of different sizes etc. they are not that expensive compared to a gallon of diesel. Even the "woodsmans pal" only costs about 20 gallons.

I think Newberry's post is pretty spot on... not sure that would be my choice for 'under the seat' though. Sharpness is definitely most important unless you enjoy beating vs. cutting. If you don't know how to sharpen a knife or axe... learn. I am no expert, but I have had a few machetes. Don't know the brands other than the current one. A dang Harbor Frieght but sharpened and for the amount I use it... does just fine. As others have eluded to... my power tools are preserving my old hand tools. :laughing:

Lost an old one that was my baby. Loved the weight/handle... oh well. In the woods of my old place I suppose someday, someone will happen upon it. Hope it brings a smile and some remembrance.

 

[The Deerslayer]

My vote goes to Woodman's Pal.

Steve

X2 Even have it mounted on my ROPS.

 

[ProjectKing]

Checkout Marbles Machete. Excellent and reasonably priced. Will need to sand the handle down a little but they are excellent.

Knives for Sale at SMKW Marble's Large Workhorse Jungle Machete | Smoky Mountain Knife Works

 

[ProjectKing]

X2 Even have it mounted on my ROPS.

I have a woodsman pal and can’t stand it! Either get a Christmas tree machete or the marbles machete I posted. I can cut a 2” limb with one whack from the marbles machete. It’s made in Ecuador by people who know how to use machetes.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

I was looking for something to clean the sapper branches off oak tree trunks around here and ended up with one of these:
Amazon.com: Ontario Knife Company 8521 Ontario Orange D-Handle Heavy Duty Machete 22-1/2" Fixed Blade Plain Edge: Sports & Outdoors

The sappers are typically very thin, but too strong to just grab and break off when they're green. They come off easy enough with the pole saw, but the chain leaves ugly gouge marks in the tree trunk and the pole saw is heavy enough that it wears me out after only an hour or so. I figure I can skate the machete along the trunk and the balde'll slice cleanly through the twig without making a mess of the trunk.

I also found the Amazon reviews confusing, and I think that's because the "best" machete varies with what one intends to do with it. I wanted to be able to reach branches as far over my head as possible, so I went with the longest blade I could find, even though swinging it will be more work because of the added weight. But I also think that length will keep me from stooping over as much when I'm cutting limbs low to the ground. I guess we'll just have to see when the thing shows up.

A few things I noticed from the reviews is that a lot of people are breaking the blades of the thinner machetes. Thinner as in distance from blade edge to back, as well as the stock thickness of the steel. There also seemed to be a lot of chipping going on, likely from poor control of the heat treating that the blade gets at the factory. People also complained that the blade wasn't sharp from the factory. Ontario has been around for a long time making machetes and bayonets for the US military, so maybe they know a thing or two about making something that'll hold up to abuse and last a long time. And even though it might keep me from sneaking up on unsuspecting zombies, I'm hoping that the orange handle will help keep me from losing it out in the field, or at least keep from running it over with the tractor.:laughing: And if the one I picked turns out to be a lemon, Amazon Prime gets me free return shipping.

 

[phastmac]

Fiskars brush axe beats any machete I've ever used.