Who makes a really good machete?

[Haywire Haywood]

Other than the Woodsman's Pal that is.  Every machete I've ever had was made out of something closer to potmetal than good steel.  Whack a few branches and you're beating the limbs off instead of cutting them.

Ian

[Wynn]

The only GOOD machete I have ever used were old Collins or Collins/Plymouth made. I mean original ones of WW II thru SE Asia vintage or those for the S. American market where machetes were in daily use. All others I have used of recent manufacture are junk. Collins machetes can be found on Ebay but they are pricey. I own 2 and intend to make them last for the rest of my lifetime

[Joel]

I've 3 machetes; a folding "bolo" machete made by Catteragaus Knife company and a True Temper marked 1945...both of these are fromWWII and get some use.  Had them since I was a kid.  My favorite one, though, is a Tramontina 23" bladed one that cost me $5.00 at our local surplus store.  These ARE the kind used in S. America.  Tramontina is the largest cutlery(among other things) manufacturer in Brazil.  The blade is thin, around 1/16 of an inch or so, and whippy and cuts like a razor.  Like all true S. American machetes, the steel is mild and the rockwell low, allowing it to be used without worry of losing large chips...plus it's really easy to sharpen.  Both the American bolo machete and the True Temper are made of thicker, harder steels(although not real hard) and neither of them can hold a dime to the Tramontina for cutting.....although the edge lasts a bit(not much)longer.  Since the True Temper is probably the same as the Collins manufactured for the Gov't during that time period, I'd say it probably outcuts the Collins also.  Cold Steel sells some reasonably priced machetes, that I"ve seen in catalogs, but have never used any of them, so can't say much about them.  Smokey Mountain Knife Works usually has them in stock.

[Haywire Haywood]

I've got a Tramontina at the recommendation of my wife who spent a year or two in the Caribbean and used one regularly for a bit.  Her nickname there was "Jungle Jen"   It does sharpen easily but dulls just as fast in my experience.  

thanks,
Ian

[ronbow]

Try Ontario Knife mil. spec. machete. I have used mine here in Fla for years. It holds a good burr edge which I prefer for cutting through palmettos etc. Haywire, what you doing with a machete in Kentucky any way ? Heck we need one here in Fla. just to cut through the humidity !l

[Haywire Haywood]

Oh, I use them for what most people use them for, peeling those dern florida oranges.  

Ian