Best "sword machete" under $300?

S

SBaker34

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Jun 16, 2010
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Ive heard United slimline machetes make good cutters however the soft 420 steel makes me nervous and id worry it would snap it two, the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi is very interesting but I don't know if it would withstand impact with a tree.

I am aware of the Bussekin stuff being good treechoppers but it is a lot of money and I don't know if id want to blow $300 on a 17 inch sword with my budget really being closer to $200 Does anyone have any suggestions that they know would withstand some branch or tree trimming occasionally?
 
Try Knifecenter; they carry a nice Ontario machete with a spear point and also a hard plastic sheath (sold separately). Should withstand most anything you can do with it.

http://www.knifecenter.com

Use their site search for "machete"; the Ontario are on page 4 for the machete listings. The machete and sheath run about $45 plus shipping. They are a good company to do business with.

Rich S
 
2-handed models - you could look for an HI sword like katana or tarwar but they are heavy

if you want what indigenous people actually use for that purpose - tried & tested - can't go wrong with a Valiant Survival Golok, but the style is very different. I have tried them in 18" blade and 15" blade and I think 15" works better

http://www.valiantco.com/java1.html
 
Check out the Hanwei "Tactical Wakizashi"--MSRP is only $175. Also, their Banshee model.

Also Cold Steel is making a katana-themed machete, and Condor is putting out a cutlass model (though it's intended for lush green targets, not hardwood)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Check out the Hanwei "Tactical Wakizashi"--MSRP is only $175. Also, their Banshee model.

Also Cold Steel is making a katana-themed machete, and Condor is putting out a cutlass model (though it's intended for lush green targets, not hardwood)
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Would the Hanwei "Tactical Wakizashi cut branches a trees if need be? I always figured it might bend.

@fishface5 would the GOLOK KEMBAR have strength enough to cut wood?
 
I've read a ton of good things about the Condor Golok. For around 25 bucks, I know it's on my short list.
 
The Hanwei Banshee Dha is a great sword that is perfect for cutting. I have been using mine for about 6 months during some of my jungle operations in Oaxaca, Mexico. Everyone always ask me where I got it. Here’s a review
www.sword-buyers-guide.com/banshee.html.

It’s an excellent tree killer. Most of the guys I work whit would trade their machetes for one like mine in a second. The only bad thing i could say about it is the saya isn’t al that great. I covered mine up whit a army uniform pant leg.
 
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Edwood7 said:
The Hanwei Banshee Dha is a great sword that is perfect for cutting. I have been using mine for about 6 months during some of my jungle operations in Oaxaca, Mexico. Everyone always ask me where I got it. Here’s a review
www.sword-buyers-guide.com/banshee.html.

It’s an excellent tree killer. Most of the guys I work whit would trade their machetes for one like mine in a second. The only bad thing i could say about it is the saya isn’t al that great. I covered mine up whit a army uniform pant leg.
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Interesting, doubt I could reprofile it myself though.
 
Do yourself a favor my friend; blow your wad on a Scrapizashi while you still can and never look back. The thing is freakin indestructable. You will be able to chop all of the other swords people are suggesting in half, and then go shave your cat. If you don't believe me watch the video on Youtube. Mine just came in the mail and the feel and balance is awesome.

Do it!:thumbup:
 
SBaker34 said:
Would the Hanwei "Tactical Wakizashi cut branches a trees if need be? I always figured it might bend.

@fishface5 would the GOLOK KEMBAR have strength enough to cut wood?
Click to expand...

Yes. They gave it a the same heat treatment as the Raptor series, which was designed with nearly abusive cutting in mind. James Williams uses a raptor for his test cuts on pig carcasses, so if it can handle dead bone it can handle green branches. :)
 
Condor Cutlass Machete...
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It cleans up nicely too...
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Cold Steel Two Handed Katana Machete (about 6" sawn off)...
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Now that was a GREAT idea to use the CS machete and cut down the handle and cord wrap it. Well done.!!! Most "swords are Not used to cut trees because of the way the blades is made (Long and thin for fine cuts, and all have near the suba/guard a taper, let alone a change in the blade tempering.) This is why no cultures in the world use "swords" for cutting wood, trees, ect. They are ment for attack or defend (using a very sharp edge) against another person. As I know it any human bone is about as thick as a 1 in. thick Green tree Limb. Most all of the swords I have seen broken have been used for things way out of the design range for the *weapon* not tool. Go with what is made for the job and save $100s of dollars. Machetes are used worldwide as a tree cutter. As its what those are designed for. Try an ESEE lite machete. It will do the job not snap, cost you $60 some dollars and have a lifetime warrenty!!! to boot. Cuz its made to do that. enjoy edgy :thumbup:

PS I gotta say again Hey NJ. that was well done. Now I gotta go and do it. Thanks for the post and Idea. With the CS katana/machete
 
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Diamond Dog Dave said:
Do yourself a favor my friend; blow your wad on a Scrapizashi while you still can and never look back. The thing is freakin indestructable. You will be able to chop all of the other swords people are suggesting in half, and then go shave your cat. If you don't believe me watch the video on Youtube. Mine just came in the mail and the feel and balance is awesome.

Do it!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

This. Indestructible, while most of the tasks you would do with a Machete is impossible to destroy it, you'll be able to keep the Scrapizashi til the end of time :thumbup:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scrapzashi&aq=f
 
Rich S said:
Try Knifecenter; they carry a nice Ontario machete with a spear point and also a hard plastic sheath (sold separately). Should withstand most anything you can do with it.

http://www.knifecenter.com

Use their site search for "machete"; the Ontario are on page 4 for the machete listings. The machete and sheath run about $45 plus shipping. They are a good company to do business with.

Rich S
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i just ordered the ontario 22"black "D" model...$32.45 delivered. $300 is too much imo. www.machetespecialist.com has a 5 for $29.99 tramontina deal now too, thats also on its way to me:D. im gonna make my own sheaths outta leather. im tired of trying to get my teens to do yardwork, these things will make it easy and fun. less than $100 and im set for life with machetes anyway.
 
scrapyard does make nice stuff for the $$$. if i had the extra cash, i might pull the trigger for one of those long blades.untill then ontario and tramontina, cold steel will do.
 
I know, $300 is a lot of money to spend on a knife. I just couldn't resist the Scrapizashi though.

IMO the best machetes are from Condor. I've read excellent reviews on their Kukri machete--that's what I'd get if I were you. I have a one of their bolo machetes and its awesome. ESEE is a Condor blade with a micarta handle added. Cold Steel machetes are okay, good steel but unsharpened and the kukri machete handles chew up your hand real bad. Condor! Condor! Condor!
 
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