Budget smatchet opinions needed!

S

Sliceuplife

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Nov 7, 2018
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So i have just recently learned of the smatchet style of knives. I dont have a big budget to play with and came across the Bushcraft Explorer Smatchet by United Cutlery and the Survival Smatchet by Columbian. I can't seem to find any reviews on them and wondered if the 1095 carbon steel would be any good for a blade like this. Basically i am looking for an affordable go to camp/bushcraft blade.
 
Not familiar with either knife you have mentioned. In general, United are wall hangers, they look nice from a distance, but not generally for actual beating on. 1095 is a fine steel for choppers, it will hold more edge than other 10 series steels, 1070, 1080 but those will be somewhat more resilient for pure chopping. Though those are not hard and fast rules, and the smatchet is very much a hybrid blade. I'm not sure how many makers actually do a budget friendly smatchet for smashing, but I'm sure someone does.
 
The Smatchet was originally a trench warfare weapon for hand-to-hand combat. Not the ideal camp task knife nor an ideal chopper shape. Here's a few suggestions for consideration...

If you like the shape and want a camp/one-tool-option blade, check out the Condor Primitive Bush Knife.

If you're looking for a bomb-proof budget camp chopper, check out the Kershaw Camp 10.

An affordable go-to camp blade, available in multiple configurations, would be the Mora. Pick up a Fiskars X7 for the chopping or a folding saw.

Good luck on your search.

Picture for size comparison. The Camp 10 always comes into the woods with me, attached to the pack, for what it's worth.

Camp.jpg
 
As above, the smatchet was made famous as the OSS killing blade. But if you want to try it out as a camp knife, the Cold Steel smatchet machete is a cheap way to test the design. Beware the sharpened back edge. It might make some tasks harder, but you can file it down easily. And there's nohing wrong with a good machete as a camp chopper, but blade shape matters, so you'll be doing an experiment here.

Let us know how you make out.

Zieg
 
You know, a smatchet is a cool thought.
But a barong might be somrthing to consider as well...
(Even though the "military bolo" product as seen in the vdo is no longer available, there are numerous other barong types in the market).
 
What is a smatchet?

Why not just bring 3 blades for camping?

- hatchet
- SAK
- small fixed blade

I'd I were only going to bring one, it would be a larger SAK with a saw.
 
As others have mentioned, the CS one is a solid route to go. Has a steel guard welded on under the poly handle.
 
Minnesota Man said:
Here's my Cold Steel Smatchet. I paid around 22$ not too long ago.

View attachment 1016243
Click to expand...
I gave my Cold Steel Smatchet to a neighbor. I really missed it, and despite have a variety of machetes, I purchased another smatchet last month.
I have a Barong Machete, as well. I don't like plastic handles, but otherwise I really like it.
244581.jpg
 
GIRLYmann said:
You know, a smatchet is a cool thought.
But a barong might be somrthing to consider as well...
(Even though the "military bolo" product as seen in the vdo is no longer available, there are numerous other barong types in the market).
Click to expand...
Interesting value machete. I hadn't seen this one yet. Thanks.
 
As wondrous as the mighty smatchet may be , it's more a fighting / survival than a practical camping / bushcraft tool .

But if you expect to have to combat bears , cougars and bad guys whilst camping ... SMATCHET ! :rolleyes:
 
Eagle Scout said:
The Smatchet was originally a trench warfare weapon for hand-to-hand combat. Not the ideal camp task knife nor an ideal chopper shape. Here's a few suggestions for consideration...

If you like the shape and want a camp/one-tool-option blade, check out the Condor Primitive Bush Knife.

If you're looking for a bomb-proof budget camp chopper, check out the Kershaw Camp 10.

An affordable go-to camp blade, available in multiple configurations, would be the Mora. Pick up a Fiskars X7 for the chopping or a folding saw.

Good luck on your search.

Picture for size comparison. The Camp 10 always comes into the woods with me, attached to the pack, for what it's worth.

View attachment 1016256
Click to expand...
DocJD said:
As wondrous as the mighty smatchet may be , it's more a fighting / survival than a practical camping / bushcraft tool .

But if you expect to have to combat bears , cougars and bad guys whilst camping ... SMATCHET ! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Is there any other way to camp? Lol
 
Smaug said:
What is a smatchet?
Click to expand...

It’s the cure for what ails ya.

It’s is also the answer for every unanswerable question.

Therefore, it is the one exception to the rule against using a word in its own definition. Ie, “smatchet” is an acceptable answer to the question of “what is a smatchet?”

Do a search for it here on the forum. You’ll get it.
 
Years ago at Blade, one dealer had a Randall made Smatchet. It looked like a Hobbit knife and I was enthralled with it. But at the time I bought another Randall from them and just couldn't bring myself to spend another $300 or so for something I knew I would never use. To this day, I wish I bought it regardless of practicality. They have gotten very expensive these days.

If I wanted one now, I would probably opt for the Cold Steel versions just to play with. Cost is not significant.
 
I'm tempted to try making a couple.
Anyone know some typical specs? Is 2" wide enough?
 
I would suggest you pick up the Cold Steel one and consider the dimensions a bit. Believe they are wider than 2", but it would depend on the blade length.
 
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