best knife/blade/machete for beach/jungle camping

I

Imperiousrex

Joined
Jul 12, 2010
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I live in Puerto Rico ad i'm going to be doing a solo camping trip to Vieques. I was wondering if anyone could help me with a machete/knife suggestion. I want to take two maybe three blades at most and one is going to be a 10'ish inch wilderness knife I got from a flea market, one is going to be a low cost ebay diving knife but the last is bothering me. I would usually take a latin cold steel machete but i want something a bit smaller and more efficient. I was debating between the latin machete and maybe getting a gerber gator jr. The gator seems like it would be perfect for what i'm needing it for. I will be cutting open coconuts, chopping up fish and whatever animals/fish come my way as well as basic tool such as firewood maker etc.

Any other suggestions?

Edit:
Just to let you know... I wasn't THAT much into knives/blades until I joined this forum and started seeing some of these custom pieces and incredible amount of information.. Wow, I am simply amazed and entranced at these absolutely stunning pieces.. I hope it's just a phase because this could be bad for my budget lol
 
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IMO machetes don't come into their own until you hoit the 18" of blade mark. For a machete to work with, but not carry on your person a 22" or 24" is better.

If you are already bringing a 10" knife, a short machete is just redundant.

And for the tropics, I'd definitely make a machete my big chopper.
 
What he said. :p

I typically like a 20" blade personally. Also, rather than a Gerber Gator I'd recommend a Condor, Tramontina, Imacasa, Cold Steel or Hansa machete.
 
I am of the exact OPPOSITE when it comes to using machetes. There are two trains of thought when it comes to using a machete for chopping-one is precision and one is brute force. I find a 12 inch blade with a good profile is just as effective when it comes to chopping, as say an 18 to 22 inch blade-the difference is the technique used. If you're more deliberate and controlled about your chopping motion you'll be just as effective as using a longer machete, and it saves on the joints bigtime. I never pack more than my 15 inch Condor Bolo. I'd recommend the 12 or 14 inch Tramontina.
 
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It really depends on what you are doing. All machetes are a compromise of qualities and there are so many types because they have all evolved to accomplish particular tasks in particular types of bush or agriculture as the case may be.

If I am going to be clearing or creating lots of trail I'll carry a long blade for the added reach and power. That long 18+ blade won't hold a candle to my 14 inch golok as a general purpose camp tool or what I call a "Bushcraft Machete". IMO the longer blades are sort of one-trick-ponies but its a really good trick. The shorter 12 - 16 inch blades are better for general purpose bushcraft tasks because they are easier to control.

Often when out with a group we will carry a mix of machetes and maybe one long blade on a pack. By far in my area the most popular machetes are the 14 - 16 inch Latin Tramontinas, but this isn't the Amazon, up there it would be different.

Mac
 
If it were me, I'd consider taking only 2 blades. A 12" or 14" Tramontina machete and a 4" fixed blade. Something like a Mora (the Kellam/Marttiini M571 is very good) if wanting to go the inexpensive route or maybe a ESEE-3 or ESEE-4 for something more expensive yet still readily available. Most camping, hiking, and bushcrafting tasks can be accomplished with a duo like this.
 
wow, thanks for the vid... That #6 is practically EXACTLY what i'm looking for... What a coincidence it's a condor puerto rican machete....

thanks a ton guys
 
Oye, Boricua. I know exactly what you mean. I did my fair share of camping trips in Vieques and Culebra and a machete is a must. The truth is that for what you will be doing you don't need a 22" blade Cold Steel Latin Machete. I personally prefer and would recommend the Cold Steel Kukri Machete. IMO it gives you a little more chopping power in a considerable shorter package (13" blade) which makes it easier to carry in a backpack. I haven't used the Gerber Gator jr machete, but I own their Kukri machete and the construction is solid.

PS. I'm sorry to say that this isn't a passing fancy. You have been bitten by the knife bug and will soon start planning your budget around the next knife you want to get. Well, at least you can console yourself in the knowledge that there are worse ways to spend your money.
 
good input from the guys as for the smaller Belt Blade /Tool look at the CS Bush Man Bowie and add a A stout screw driver for the prying and digging over and Under the water , and do away with the SAK as the Sand will jam it up, look at a SS Multi tool as you will find tons of stuff on the Beach that it will handle better.
Boricua tambien and been there also ..USMC
PS: Water is Not easy to find so prepare..! and Sun Block!
 
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That Condor Puerto Rican has a 14.5" blade. Good mid-sized machete in my mind. Seems like it would compliment the 10" knife nicely.
 
Preacher Man said:
Oye, Boricua. I know exactly what you mean. I did my fair share of camping trips in Vieques and Culebra and a machete is a must. The truth is that for what you will be doing you don't need a 22" blade Cold Steel Latin Machete. I personally prefer and would recommend the Cold Steel Kukri Machete. IMO it gives you a little more chopping power in a considerable shorter package (13" blade) which makes it easier to carry in a backpack. I haven't used the Gerber Gator jr machete, but I own their Kukri machete and the construction is solid.

PS. I'm sorry to say that this isn't a passing fancy. You have been bitten by the knife bug and will soon start planning your budget around the next knife you want to get. Well, at least you can console yourself in the knowledge that there are worse ways to spend your money.
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haha como te va? The Kukri machete really? hmmm it's gonna be hard to choose between that and the PR one after the video... I'll look some video's up and what not. The gator JR. just looked more efficient and what not.

Anyways so you've been to Vieques and Culebra before? I'm looking for the best place to camp that also doubles as a good place to catch lobster, fish etc... that's what the diving knife is for. I plan to stay a weekend and live off the land etc. without getting arrested... Where is the best place to camp for that on Culebra or Vieques? Are there a lot of people usually? I've only been to Vieques but i'd love to go to Culebra and do this camping.

Edit: Thanks for the response guys. I think i'm going to go with the Puerto Rican 14.5 inch blade... however where is the best place to buy one at?
 
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The Puerto Rican is a fearsome blade but there are a few considerations. The back swept portion of the blade is sharpened which is fine if you want that kind of cutting edge but really bad for batonning or holding the back of the machete for other tasks. The sheath has those two snapped retainers and it is a two handed operation to take it out and put it away. Again, that's fine if you're using it on an occasional basis but a real pain if you are putting it in and out of the sheath all day. The temptation will be to leave it out when safety dictates it should be covered.

The 14 inch Tramontina Bolo is a very good general purpose machete, but hard to find a sheath for.

img0361dn.jpg

This is my current favorite. I made it from a larger Tramontina. The forward weight hits very hard and accurate. If I was going on your adventure I'd take this or something similar. Mac

TRAMONTINA GOLOK FIELD TEST
 
PayetteRucker said:
I am of the exact OPPOSITE when it comes to using machetes. There are two trains of thought when it comes to using a machete for chopping-one is precision and one is brute force. I find a 12 inch blade with a good profile is just as effective when it comes to chopping, as say an 18 to 22 inch blade-the difference is the technique used. If you're more deliberate and controlled about your chopping motion you'll be just as effective as using a longer machete, and it saves on the joints bigtime. I never pack more than my 15 inch Condor Bolo. I'd recommend the 12 or 14 inch Tramontina.
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pict said:
It really depends on what you are doing. All machetes are a compromise of qualities and there are so many types because they have all evolved to accomplish particular tasks in particular types of bush or agriculture as the case may be.

If I am going to be clearing or creating lots of trail I'll carry a long blade for the added reach and power. That long 18+ blade won't hold a candle to my 14 inch golok as a general purpose camp tool or what I call a "Bushcraft Machete". IMO the longer blades are sort of one-trick-ponies but its a really good trick. The shorter 12 - 16 inch blades are better for general purpose bushcraft tasks because they are easier to control.

Often when out with a group we will carry a mix of machetes and maybe one long blade on a pack. By far in my area the most popular machetes are the 14 - 16 inch Latin Tramontinas, but this isn't the Amazon, up there it would be different.

Mac
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The key with the shorter lengths is, of course, making sure that it still has enough forward mass in order to be an effective and powerful chopper. The Condor Puerto Rican is a great example of that, as is the Bolo. However, since he already has a 10" knife I feel that if the OP were to go the short machete route to make sure it was one of the heftier models. The Condor Golok, Bolo, Parang, Puerto Rican, or what have you would all fit that category well, with the Parang being the longest of the bunch. Another option would be the Bush Knife, (which is really a double-sided Kent billhook) as it can chop like a hatchet as well as clear grasses and brambles and is super-mega-ultra short. :D

My reason for suggesting a longer piece is that if the OP already has a big knife then a larger machete might round out the kit a bit more. :)
 
FTB,

You have a point given his choice of tools already. When I first came to Brazil (1990) I was married to the 7 inch big blade because that is what I had used for so long back home in PA. I carried a Ka-bar back then and later a BK-7 on most trips. I found it inadequate and quickly adopted the machete that the locals used. This did make the large knife redundant, dead weight actually. I found that not only did the machete handle the tasks that the 7 inch knife performed, but it also did far more of the things the knife lacked the ability to do.

I can understand the need for a dive knife in a saltwater environment. I can also see the need for a machete on a tropical beach. The 10 inch knife seems redundant to me and will probably be the least used tool. Not that they have no use, it's just if you have the right machete it will do more for you.

I have found it far more useful to pair up my machete with a small fixed blade that does the sorts of things that my machete can't. A sturdy, sharp, pointy, knife allows me to do all the fine detail cutting, drilling, etc that my machete does poorly. The machete handles all of the big, ugly, brutal tasks that would threaten the integrity of the small fixed blade.

I don't ever carry the large machetes unless I know beforehand that I'm going to be doing alot of clearing and cutting new trails. They really come into their own in that role. A forward weighted short chopper like my Golok or Bolo does well at that task but lacks reach, especially in grasses.

I've thought alot about what blades I would take on a tropical beach trip because it is one I'd love to take someday. I've considered a dive knife as well but haven't researched which one. I would want a good general purpose machete for the jungle and a stainless scandi for the rest. Saltwater can be murder on a knifes edge. I would probably opt for a stainless scandi with a rubber handle paired with my golok.

One blade that I see as essential in such a place is a coconut opening tool, they really are worth their weight in stainless steel when you have access to green coconuts. They make the job of drinking coconuts a pleasure rather than a chore.

Mac
 
I am not an expert, but I find the Gerber's to be really bad machetes. Just cheaply made, and not effective.
 
I would agree somewhat on the shorter machetes, except for:
1.) He said he's taking a 10" knife already, and that it's definite. That being the case, a 12-14" machete is tits on a bull.
2.) I'd only agree if you're talking (like Pict) a thicker type of machete like a golok or bolo.

However, I think for a standard, thin machete, 18" is the best compromise between being able to do smaller work, and having enough blade to do the larger amounts of work.

To go shorter, I'd really recommend a kukri, and I mean a real one, not a CS. Something like a Himalayan Imports Chitlangi, Chainpuri or Sirupate, which are their lighter models at about 1 to 1.5 ounces per inch, in a 20 to 22" length (kukri are measured by OAL, a 20-22" model will yield 15-17" of blade), and as far as chopping things like coconuts, wood, and whatnot, once you get good technique, they'll absolutely kill a standard machete of equal length.
 
Imperiousrex said:
I live in Puerto Rico ad i'm going to be doing a solo camping trip to Vieques. I was wondering if anyone could help me with a machete/knife suggestion. I want to take two maybe three blades at most and one is going to be a 10'ish inch wilderness knife I got from a flea market, one is going to be a low cost ebay diving knife but the last is bothering me. I would usually take a latin cold steel machete but i want something a bit smaller and more efficient. I was debating between the latin machete and maybe getting a gerber gator jr. The gator seems like it would be perfect for what i'm needing it for. I will be cutting open coconuts, chopping up fish and whatever animals/fish come my way as well as basic tool such as firewood maker etc.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

I always go for the general purpose knife in the 8-12in. range. A smaller "patch type" knife 3-4 in. and, if I were to carry something bigger, it would be a 21 in. Machete. I never liked the 18" or less machete.

Edit:
Just to let you know... I wasn't THAT much into knives/blades until I joined this forum and started seeing some of these custom pieces and incredible amount of information.. Wow, I am simply amazed and entranced at these absolutely stunning pieces.. I hope it's just a phase because this could be bad for my budget lol
Click to expand...

Yeah, me too. You and I are both FINIshed, done, there's no hope for us now....:D
 
Imperiousrex said:
haha como te va? The Kukri machete really? hmmm it's gonna be hard to choose between that and the PR one after the video... I'll look some video's up and what not. The gator JR. just looked more efficient and what not.

Anyways so you've been to Vieques and Culebra before? I'm looking for the best place to camp that also doubles as a good place to catch lobster, fish etc... that's what the diving knife is for. I plan to stay a weekend and live off the land etc. without getting arrested... Where is the best place to camp for that on Culebra or Vieques? Are there a lot of people usually? I've only been to Vieques but i'd love to go to Culebra and do this camping.

Edit: Thanks for the response guys. I think i'm going to go with the Puerto Rican 14.5 inch blade... however where is the best place to buy one at?
Click to expand...

The Condor Puerto Rican is a good choice and will do just fine. Keep in mind that particular machete has a partial sharpened back. Remember that you need to take precautions you don't usually take when using a regular machete. At some point I would recommend that you look at Kukri machetes, and if you really get into collecting look into Himalayan Imports kukris.

If you want to go primitive, Culebra is your best choice. Culebra is way less inhabited than Vieques, but that also means you have less options to buy something if you need it, including water. You have several camp options. As for a beach in Culebra, there is not place better than Flamenco Beach. At least when I used to go it was isolated and almost empty most of the time. I don't know if that's still the case since the Discovery Channel listed it as the second most beautiful beach in the world.

For fishing there is a bay in the East of Culebra with a Coral Reef at it's mouth that is well known for its fishing and harpoon fishing. You should have no problem finding lobsters there, but I don't remember how far it is from Flamenco.

Now, if in the future you really want to go primitive, you may want to look into Isla de Mona (Monkey Island). You need to get permission to camp there and hunting/fishing licenses from el Departamanto de Recursos Naturales (Natural Resources Department). You also need to arrange transportation. Isla de Mona is a Federal Preserve and it's only open for camping/hunting/fishing certain times of the year, but it is AWESOME, but it better not to go there alone, there are wild boar (jabalí), wild goat (cabros salvajes), tree Iguanas (gallina de palo) that rarely, but sometimes fall from the trees on your back, and sharks get close to the beach. That been said, hunting is great as well as fishing, lobstering, and you get plenty of Carrucho (conch), and Bulgao, sorry but I don't know what it's called in English. You only eat the heads (suction cup) and it is delicious with rice but has to be very well cooked. The trails are very good and you get some really beautiful vistas.
 
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