10inch bladed machetes?

Shotgun

Shotgun

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Feb 3, 2006
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I like the 10inch blade on machetes for packability. I'm not sure what thickness I should go for in that size though. Do any of you guys have machetes in this size? What's a good thickness for splitting out kindling, limbing small branches and for clearing out blackberries across a trail? More specifically, what's the minimum thickness you like for those jobs? I'd like to keep it as light as possible.

Edit: Soft woods in particular.
 
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I've got a 13 inch machete, not quite what you're after but kinda close. It was made by Hunter from Huntsman knives here on the forums, it's a 'liberator bolo'. It's .179 thick and bolo shaped for extra weight, with an over-sized handle. The bolo shape makes it very blade-heavy which I find great for chopping. 52100 steel, so it handles hitting the occasional rock pretty well. It's about as effective as a half-size felling axe on hardwood (it's obviously lighter but also much sharper and a lot less fatigue so you can chop a lot more). A 10 inch version would probably be about as effective as this on softwood I guess. It works just fine on blackberries and woody weeds as well. Fits in a daypack pretty easily.
 
the shortest i have is a tramontina, condor, ontario, svord and fiddleback forge and they're all 12" long and about 2-3 mm thick...out of them my favorite is a tie between the svord kiwi machete ($50'sh) and the fiddleback ($100'sh).

svord kiwi machete (10 oz without sheath).

044_037.jpg



fiddleback forge 12" machete (it's an imacasa blade with andy roy making the handle for it...15 oz without sheath).

057_007_zps4e1a5221.jpg
 
I don't know how serious your blackberry problem is, but I see you are also from Oregon. So you know that the blackberries can be monstrous. I clear them as a part time job (my archaeological grad student pay is not particularly munificent and I have been doing this kind of work for years anyway). I have used a lot of things for clearing brush and black berries, but if you are serious about clearing blackberries then there is only one tool for the job in my experience.
or-295504.jpg


It's the Super Heavy Duty 2 Tooth Brush Cutter Blade. I can clear (and mulch as I go) more in an afternoon with that thing on a heavy duty weedwhacker than I could in weeks with a machete.

When I first started clearing blackberries by hand I used a sickle, then moved on to a machete. Eventually I sharpened a shovel and just used that. Then I was introduced to the two tooth and never looked back.

All that said, I like my machetes, but I've never used a 10 incher. I've always gone bigger, and I've never really paid attention to precise thickness. So I don't have good advice on that front.
 
Shotgun, Tops makes a 10 inch bladed machete. It's called the .170 and was designed by Joe Flowers and Leo Espinoza. It has a thickness of .130. I have one and I have split wood with to make kindling. It has a finger choil which allows you to choke up on the blade. What I really like about it is the long handle which is 7.25 inches long. What I really don't like about it is the handle in that it feels a little on the thin side for me. Overall I can look past the thin handle as I can always put some wrap on it to make it thicker. I think it would work just fine for the task you have listed.
 
I have a condor Inca knife that I would consider a machete that is 10" blade I like it a lot I will try to measure the blade thickness tonight
Roy
 
If i must go short, i will want to have girth.:p:D

Hence width is important to me.

I'd like to think that one day i can try THIS:

yhst-29358752693524_2271_16252937l
 
I got a Imacasa 12" Pata de Cuche for $9
Is is only 9.5 oz. in 1075 High Carbon

Great for backpacking and handles cutting pine very well

The Imacasa Machete Sheath--12" was another $5 which I lined with plastic cardboard
 
abbydaddy said:
I don't know how serious your blackberry problem is, but I see you are also from Oregon. So you know that the blackberries can be monstrous. I clear them as a part time job (my archaeological grad student pay is not particularly munificent and I have been doing this kind of work for years anyway). I have used a lot of things for clearing brush and black berries, but if you are serious about clearing blackberries then there is only one tool for the job in my experience.
or-295504.jpg


It's the Super Heavy Duty 2 Tooth Brush Cutter Blade. I can clear (and mulch as I go) more in an afternoon with that thing on a heavy duty weedwhacker than I could in weeks with a machete.

When I first started clearing blackberries by hand I used a sickle, then moved on to a machete. Eventually I sharpened a shovel and just used that. Then I was introduced to the two tooth and never looked back.

All that said, I like my machetes, but I've never used a 10 incher. I've always gone bigger, and I've never really paid attention to precise thickness. So I don't have good advice on that front.
Click to expand...

I spent a summer clearing out blackberries on my parents property when they first bought it. I used something similar. Small saplings aren't even a match for those things.
 
I primarily use a 12" Fiddleback Forge machete which is 3mm thickness. I also have a Cold Steel Saex 12" Machete which is also 3mm thickness and a 13" Kukri which is 2mm.
 
I have 2 12" Ontario's
One thick one thin.
in my limited experience the thick one is a very good chopper.
The thin one is good for well thin stuff. Although not bad on thicker.
 
I use a ESEE Junglas. Its overkill for what I typically use it for but it does everything I want and will never fail.
 





Just picked this up today. 9.75" blade, 1/4" thick. Chops like a beast.
 
Check out James Helm of Helm Forge. He draws his design influences from when he was younger and had to clear a lot of brush and other foliage on his family property. I wouldnt necessarily call his works machetes but he absolutely excels at hard working blades in the 10" range that are AMAZING choppers. BTW its all hammer forged goodness so they are very light for the size and unparalleled in toughness.
 
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My 10" cutter is the Condor Kumunga. Just got it in June, but it seems to do about everything I want it to do and it is a lot easier to carry than a longer machete or something like the Condor Pack Golok which I like. I think it would do what needs doing.
 
Here is a great chopper to consider. I intended to post a very positive review of it many months ago, but never made the time. This baby is awesome, and if you shop around, is a real bargain. Silky makes great saws, and I own and use many of them. But they make great choopers as well. I have used this one a lot, and it has performed very well. I reach for it first. Here are some glamor shots.








 
JayGoliath said:
If i must go short, i will want to have girth.:p:D

Hence width is important to me.

I'd like to think that one day i can try THIS:

yhst-29358752693524_2271_16252937l
Click to expand...

I used to feel that way. But after using machetes (long and short), I don't see it as an advantage. Not sure of the length of that one. But the Condor Swamp Master is 16". The old Puerto Rican was 14"; both have the curved sharpened edge on the top that is useful.
 
Ance said:
Check out James Helm of Helm Forge. He draws his design influences from when he was younger and had to clear a lot of brush and other foliage on his family property. I wouldnt necessarily call his works machetes but he absolutely excels at hard working blades in the 10" range that are AMAZING choppers. BTW its all hammer forged goodness so they are very light for the size and unparalleled in toughness.
Click to expand...

This.

James' work is top notch, now your going to be paying for custom work so keep that in mind, but IMO its worth it.
 
The Old Hickory 10" Butchers knife makes a good 10" Machete. As a kid I used a smaller one as a Machete, I think mine had a 7 or 8 inch blade. I have a 10" It's probably in one of my knife tubes or fell behind a work bench. I need to get another one or two, they are fun to mod.
 
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