Author Topic: looking for good machete (Read 5264 times)

Dand · « **on:** July 18, 2008, 11:14:19 AM »

I'd like to have a decent to good machete for brush work. Can you recommend a design, brand and where to buy? I'm not looking to spend big bucks but the $5.00 garage sale model I have now is a clunker - the steel is too soft.

I did a search first and didn't find a thread quite like this.

thanks folks.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2008, 08:25:06 PM »

Dand, on one of my forums read that the guys were buying the Gurka(sp) type and using them. Not the real cheap one but in the $34.00 and up range. Seems cheaper than dirt or the sportsmans guide have various types for sale at a decent price. Also in the mid-south-shooters catlog seems they had several diffrent brands. Guys were saying they cut thru fairly heavy brush faster than the "china models".

Gun Runner

Joel · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2008, 05:47:58 PM »

All my machetes are the Gavilan Incolma machetes. I do have one WWII True Temper, but it's pretty mediocore. The Gavilan, and it's "kryptonite" steel, are much better than the Tramontinas I've tried. Mine will cut any sort of brush and green limbs up to 3" if need be without much trouble. Never tried the Ontarios or the Gurka types.

ronbow · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2008, 10:10:42 AM »

I would recommend the US military issue model by Ontario Knife.

Dand · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2008, 05:22:30 PM »

thanks guys, I'm not sure the Gurka type blade appeals to me but I'll look around. Gun and Ron - I'll check out those brands and see what I can find. This thing I have is from China I think and I can't get it to cut 1/4 willows reliably. Hit the ground once and it won't cut much at all.

ronbow · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2008, 09:51:59 AM »

Quote from: Dand on July 21, 2008, 05:22:30 PM

thanks guys, I'm not sure the Gurka type blade appeals to me but I'll look around. Gun and Ron - I'll check out those brands and see what I can find. This thing I have is from China I think and I can't get it to cut 1/4 willows reliably. Hit the ground once and it won't cut much at all.

Resharpen with a rat tail file (chain saw file) and/or a carbon stone. Makes a good burr edge which works well on a machete.

TribReady · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2008, 11:32:16 AM »

HMMMM...what for?
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,148957.msg1098619517/topicseen.html#msg1098619517

Just kidding around.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #7 on:** September 06, 2008, 02:17:48 PM »

Well, its been a month, what did you end up with?

I have a couple and I also really like the Gurkha Khukuri style blade.

For chopping, heavy grunt work, I like Cold Steels version. I have a couple and They work very well.
http://www.coldsteel.com/97kms.html

Like I said, they work well, sharpen easily and are inexpensive.

CW

hillbill · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2008, 03:26:01 PM »

i have a nice one my son found in the creek a few years ago. the steel is good and it has a cast aluminum handle that is cast right onto the blade. the handle is marked BARTEAUX USA. ive seen them on ebay for 40 -50 buks or so.very few of the new machetes yu find will be any good. id go for a good older one but if yu have a son or sons who will leave them out in the woods then id go for a cheepie. if yu could plant hatchets and machetes id have hatchet and machete trees all over my property.

Dand · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2008, 06:40:04 PM »

thanks folks, the last month I got busy with moose hunting (no luck) and other stuff and suspended the machete search. I've been checking some other sites and product reviews and I'm leaning toward one of those Gerber brush hook type tools but haven't fully decided. Otherwise I'll probably try to locate an Ontario or similar. I'll look at the Cold Steel gurkhas since you recommend them.

Thanks too for the chain saw file suggestion. I've just been using a mill file on the junker I have.

CW - I looked at Cold Steel site and I wonder, are you using a $650 Gurkha or one of their cheaper ones? I was a bit startled at the the price tag of the fancy one.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2008, 10:46:04 AM »

Quote from: Dand on September 16, 2008, 06:40:04 PM

CW - I looked at Cold Steel site and I wonder, are you using a $650 Gurkha or one of their cheaper ones? I was a bit startled at the the price tag of the fancy one.

I do have the smallest expensive one, but I am speaking of the cheapest. Also, only LOOK ion the Col;d Steel state, don't buy. they sell at full retail, you can save up to 30% at other retailers and on EBay. I have seen them as cheap as 15$.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cold-Steel-Kukri-Machete-Machette-Survival-Knife-New_W0QQitemZ140267533460QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140267533460&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

CW

Dand · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2008, 06:07:55 PM »

thanks CW I'll check it out. Took the boys out to our remote place this weekend and was cussing myself for not getting a blade. The trail needs brushing out and the yard too. Hacked away with a little Sierra saw but a good sharp machete would be quicker so I could cover more ground. It did occur to me that I'll have to be careful and not fillet the dog at the same time. Get in the thick stuff and it takes my Heel commands way too serious and I'm whacking her in the chin with every step - you'd think she'd learn to hold back a couple feet. Maybe the moose and bear smells keep her nervous.

Chris Potts · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2008, 01:50:18 PM »

I always liked the woodsman's pal. I have the regular wood handled version. Some people complain that the regular one is to short and doesn't feel right. I have handled the long handled version and it handled more like a regular machete. You can find them for cheaper if you look around. I think that the long handle was $60 and the regular one is $70.

https://virt1.enter.net/~woodmanspal/tools.html

Chris

Wynn · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2008, 03:57:56 PM »

If you can get your hands on a original Collins machete you will look no further. Sometimes found on Ebay at non-collector prices.

Archblackmage · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2008, 09:32:34 AM »

i got a nice Gerber saw back from gander mountain very nice.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2008, 04:25:15 PM »

I own several brands and types of machetes. I have 18" Ontario, 18" tramontina, 18" cold steel bolo, a Woodsmans Pal, a 12" and 15"Cold steel kukhris. The Ontario and CS bolo are good for light to medium chopping. My tramontina is a POS. The blade chips with every swing. The Woodsmans Pal is more of a hatchet than brush clearer. I have never been able to get the blade to take and hold a good edge. I have been told I may have gotten a bad one because they are held in high regard by those who use them.

Far and away my most useful and favorite is the Cold Steel 12" Kukhri. This thing out chops anything I have come up against. It will hold a hair shaving edge after clearing a trail or chopping kindling. The 15" has a little more power but is unbalanced. My 12" kukhri goes with me every time in the field. i bought it as a "second" from Cold Steel for about $50. No regrets.

45north · « **Reply #16 on:** November 05, 2008, 04:55:51 PM »

It is hard to beat the Cold Steel heavy machete and the two handed machete. I Have both, the heavy machete is impressive it will pass threw a 1 inch to 1.5 branch in a single swing. And the two handed will even better but needs more room to work. They use the same blade but one has a much longer handle. I bet you could split the pelvis of a moose with either one of these.

45north

Dand · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2008, 10:36:33 PM »

Well after months of indecision and distractions I finally decided to try a Cold Steel Kukhri - the 12 inch version. It got a lot of support here and on some other reviews. I got tired of lurking on eBay and seeing apparently good prices get run up beyond what a lot of online dealers were charging. I'm buying direct from CS as they had a good price and one of the few places where I could get it with a sheath - about $32 out the door. I got tired of encountering situations where I wished I had a good knife. I tried to sharpen the junker I have then stomped up to my computer and put in the order.

So thanks for the advice- now for advice on proper sharpening - when it arrives. I'll probably start out cutting straw for the dog house and I have some tree limbs that need reduction.

Gun Runner · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2008, 11:07:53 PM »

Dan, I'll sit out on the porch and have a cup of coffee while your doing this "work" thing. Did my "work" thing last week, split a cord and 1/2 of extra dry oak. 35t log splitter and couple of chunks the splitter condent split. Made a couple deep cuts with the chain saw and finally got it split.

Gun Runner

Dand · « **Reply #19 on:** November 20, 2008, 07:51:02 PM »

So I have received the Cold Steel 13 inch Kukhri and it a lot more blade than I expected from the photos online. I touched up the blade little with one of those little carbide sharpeners and worked over the brush pile. It did the job pretty well and MUCH better than my junker machete. The brush was frozen green birch branches and such. It zipped through some and glanced off some if I didn't have the angle of attack right. Over all I think it will do what I need but I need to put a lanyard on it.
The sheath that comes with it is ok but I might try to make a tougher one that won't collect or snag on the brush.
Also, I could use advise on sharpening - tools and how to dress the edge.

bluntweapon · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2009, 05:22:28 PM »

buy a cheap 1x42 belt sander from harbor freight or a 1x30. Remove the platen and convex you're edge. I use grts from 80 to 800 on my sander and finish up with a leather stropping belt. you can buy supplies from hand america. The convex edge will be far tougher than a standard edge and will cut much better.

flag2442 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2009, 11:33:38 AM »

This looks like a fun project....

http://www.m4040.com/Survival/Ghurka/Khukri%20Modification.htm