Best Machete?

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Deadshot138

Joined
Sep 3, 2023
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I want a real beast of a chopper for my collection. I know Cold Steel makes a few but the prices give me pause. They seem to be a bit on the cheap side for a blade so large. What's your favorite machete? What have you used that's been loyal?
 
I wouldn't get a non-Latin cheap machete; an authentic one is very inexpensive but actually works well. Look at brands like Imacasa and Tramontina, they're made in El Salvador and Brazil respectively and are intended as actual work machetes. You can get them in carbon steel with wood handles for under $20 usually. They're mostly meant for chopping grasses and light brush; the thin profile is likely to get stuck in anything thicker.

If what you're really looking for is a chopper, like something to chop wood, machetes aren't your best option.
 
What do you plan to cut with it? Depending what is being cut, you will likely get some pretty great suggestions. I grew up in Latin America so I would definitely concur with
Tsujigiri’s post regarding a quality machete that will not cost a lot. I also like some of Ontario’s. Different blade shapes and lengths for specifics or preferences. I have never handled one, but the TOPs El Chete looks like a fun one for harder woods.
Good luck with your search.
 
These three. The Condor Makara, Bushracft Parang and the Mini Duku. All in 1075.
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As noted, a machete is big but thin so it's not 'a real beast of a chopper.". It's meant to slice through thinner stuff, and that is what it's great at. For a real chopper you want thicker stock, 3/16" plus. You can get by with 1/8" in a longer blade but it will take a while on anything wrist-thick or more
 
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I have a cold steel kukri machete that has held up real well. Mainly use it for delimbing birch and spruce trees. They cost a little or a lot less because they come with no edge and the sheath is passable at best.

I had a silky nata for awhile and that was a decent chopper. Now days my 9" chopper is a skrama and man I love it.
 
fishface5 said:
As noted, a machete is big but thin so it's not 'a real beast of a chopper.". It's meant to slice through thinner stuff, and that is what it's great at. For a real chopper you want thicker stock, 3/16" plus. You can get by with 1/8" in a longer blade but it will take a while on anything wrist-thick or more
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So something like the WTG Grizzly?
 
Deadshot138 said:
I want a real beast of a chopper for my collection. I know Cold Steel makes a few but the prices give me pause. They seem to be a bit on the cheap side for a blade so large. What's your favorite machete? What have you used that's been loyal?
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Condor Discord machete. I have some Cold Steel, but the Discord is the best. Look how it chopped through some thick dry and super hard Accacia tree. Chops like my Gransförs bruk American felling axe!
 

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The OKC machete is a beast for a machete. I consider it more like a golok in uses I want it for aa it's heavy to swing for a long time. Latin machetes are thin and long so you cut with tip speed qnd the weight is very manageable for long hours of cutting. And they are great for that. It has tradeoffs when you start getting to thicker green wood targets or dry wood. They're really not great on dead drywood, if that's something you need to clear.

For many green wood, a standard machete should be fine up to 1" diameter, maybe 2" for softer woods. I jist finished clearing up a cottonwood blowover and that stuff cuts like grass, just thick. I feel like clearing cattails and reeds is tougher than the cottonwood, but eventually it gets thick enough that the machete needs to be set aside for a different tool. Great for taking the small braches off quickly to make sticks and logs to be hauled out.

Almost forgot, the baryonux machete. It's a beastly beast. It's thin thin but the blade is really weight to add chopping weight. It's a bit clunky to carry around and not something I want to swing all day, but it can hit hard and cuts and chops well. On the right.
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bikerector said:
The OKC machete is a beast for a machete. I consider it more like a golok in uses I want it for aa it's heavy to swing for a long time. Latin machetes are thin and long so you cut with tip speed qnd the weight is very manageable for long hours of cutting. And they are great for that. It has tradeoffs when you start getting to thicker green wood targets or dry wood. They're really not great on dead drywood, if that's something you need to clear.

For many green wood, a standard machete should be fine up to 1" diameter, maybe 2" for softer woods. I jist finished clearing up a cottonwood blowover and that stuff cuts like grass, just thick. I feel like clearing cattails and reeds is tougher than the cottonwood, but eventually it gets thick enough that the machete needs to be set aside for a different tool. Great for taking the small braches off quickly to make sticks and logs to be hauled out.

Almost forgot, the baryonux machete. It's a beastly beast. It's thin thin but the blade is really weight to add chopping weight. It's a bit clunky to carry around and not something I want to swing all day, but it can hit hard and cuts and chops well. On the right.
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Something about that middle one has always peaked my interest...... Probably gonna have to scratch that itch soon!!!!😉. Nice bunch of blades you have there!!!👍👍👍
 
jfk1110 said:
Something about that middle one has always peaked my interest...... Probably gonna have to scratch that itch soon!!!!😉. Nice bunch of blades you have there!!!👍👍👍
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Condor golok? Hit me up and maybe I can send it to you to try out. I don't have the stock sheath, and of condor does anything right it's their leather sheaths, but I have a sheath it rides it to limit how often you cut yourself with it.
 
I'll agree with most everything said above re machetes. If you want one to chew through thicker limbs I've found the 18" Ontario to be perfectly suited. I've used mine to cut through 4" thick limbs with ease. It may be difficult to find them, however, since Ontario sold this summer. I think Condor has several offerings with a similar thickness and weight which makes them suitable for heavier chopping.
 
bikerector said:
Condor golok? Hit me up and maybe I can send it to you to try out. I don't have the stock sheath, and of condor does anything right it's their leather sheaths, but I have a sheath it rides it to limit how often you cut yourself with it.
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Appreciate the thought and offer!!!!!! I already know I'm getting one...Have planned on it for ages!!!! Timing just never worked......Its looking like maybe next month I might grab it unless something else steals.my attention..... Which is entirely possible and has happened to us all I think😜.

Thank you for your offer!👍👍👍
 
Also if you don't have a machete yet; consider the $5 one from Walmart or harbor freight to chop with to see what you like and don't like. Blade length, handle, etc.

In my experience; I'm sure they work great in the jungle with that lush, soft vegetation. But if you live somewhere with hardwood trees; bring an axe instead. In my limited experience with a machete; I wasn't impressed.
 
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