Cold Steel Jungle Machete-potential gamechanger

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PayetteRucker

Joined
Aug 4, 2009
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Looking at Cold Steel's 2012 line, they added a few new machetes, and the model with the most potential is by far the Jungle Machete. Swept/weight forward, big belly, defined sweet spot, working point, decent handle design and a 16 inch blade! The model is obviously based off of an Indonesian survival school's Jungle Knife design, which in turn has been replicated by Himalayan Imports, United Cutlery and a few other companies, but it's pretty exciting to see this sweet looking machete in the lineup. I'll be buyin' one!

http://www.coldsteel.com/junglemachete.html
 
Hummm, I like the lines but the Specs list a blade thickness of 2.8mm which is about .11" so under an 1/8" in thickness.
Just wondering if you wouldn't be vibrating like Yosemite Sam if you struck a knot with it.
 
Balldboy said:
Hummm, I like the lines but the Specs list a blade thickness of 2.8mm which is about .11" so under an 1/8" in thickness.
Just wondering if you wouldn't be vibrating like Yosemite Sam if you struck a knot with it.
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Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the above strikes me as pretty funny, as MOST machetes (including the highest quality ones) are under 1/8" thick. :p

As far as the vibration goes that's mostly a factor of mass distribution along the blade, and where you strike in relation to the center of percussion. This design doesn't strike me as one that would have problems with that. :)
 
I don't understand why it has the big guard.

I'd rather have that material at the pommel to lock your hand in.
 
I'm not really feeling any tingles. Just another mid-range machete at a mid-range price with a mid-range design and $hitty plastic handles....
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the above strikes me as pretty funny, as MOST machetes (including the highest quality ones) are under 1/8" thick. :p

As far as the vibration goes that's mostly a factor of mass distribution along the blade, and where you strike in relation to the center of percussion. This design doesn't strike me as one that would have problems with that. :)
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Since I've always enjoyed your insightful posts, I'll defer to your experience in this area.
That said, I'm glad I spent my machete allotment on a Condor Golok Machete and I'll be happy still when the Pack Golok arrives.
 
Balldboy said:
Hummm, I like the lines but the Specs list a blade thickness of 2.8mm which is about .11" so under an 1/8" in thickness.
Just wondering if you wouldn't be vibrating like Yosemite Sam if you struck a knot with it.
Click to expand...

Well, I have the CS Magnum Khukri machete. It is a bit thinner than that model (it is listed at 2.75 mm).

It is actually pretty thick for a machete.

I don't find that thickness to be particularly "ringy" when you hit something hard.

I have a Busse KZII Khukri at .275 inches thick, full tang, canvas micarta handles , that rings like a bell when you hit hard targets. Much more than the .275 MM stick tang CS magnum Khukri machete.


Now, the plastic handles, with the aggressive checkering are not ideal, and really need some improvement. At least the handles on this new model look a bit smoother (from the standpoint of blisters).
 
kgd said:
I'm not really feeling any tingles. Just another mid-range machete at a mid-range price with a mid-range design and $hitty plastic handles....
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Yeah Bro...I am all Machete'd out! I have so many, I use them to hold my socks...and I have a dozen or so set up as a tie rack.
 
Balldboy said:
Since I've always enjoyed your insightful posts, I'll defer to your experience in this area.
That said, I'm glad I spent my machete allotment on a Condor Golok Machete and I'll be happy still when the Pack Golok arrives.
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I do hope it didn't come across as a criticism--rather that with how sub-1/8" thick machetes are the norm, rather than the exception, that the literal phrasing of it got a chuckle out of me. As I understood it, the intended meaning was that you prefer thicker models, which is TOTALLY fine in my opinion. My philosophy is always "use what works for you." Just the unintended (to my understanding) implication that anything under 1/8" thick was thin for a machete was humorous. :D:thumbup:
 
I personally find 1/8 or thinner best for a machete. And 1/8 can be a bit hefty, but that doesn't do anything against the machete, just aids it a little in chopping. At least from my own experience. :thumbup:
 
kgd said:
$hitty plastic handles....
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At that price point, I'd go for the much better scales on the ESEE.

P1010968.jpg


P1010974.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I do hope it didn't come across as a criticism--rather that with how sub-1/8" thick machetes are the norm, rather than the exception, that the literal phrasing of it got a chuckle out of me. As I understood it, the intended meaning was that you prefer thicker models, which is TOTALLY fine in my opinion. My philosophy is always "use what works for you." Just the unintended (to my understanding) implication that anything under 1/8" thick was thin for a machete was humorous. :D:thumbup:
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Learning often takes place in a negative environment so I never take a response as an attack.
Living in NJ, I deal with mostly pines and small unruly maples when a machete is needed.
Often out of laziness the end of the machete is used to expose small roots as well so the ability to dig a bit favors a wider blade hence my love for the Golok.
It's all Good,
Pete
 
Guyon said:
At that price point, I'd go for the much better scales on the ESEE.

P1010968.jpg


P1010974.jpg
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The CS Jungle Machete has a $40 msrp, which leads me to believe that street price will be more around $30, maybe even lower from some vendors. I love the ESEE Lite Machete, but I don't know anyplace where you can get 'em that cheap.
 
Bigfattyt said:
Well, I have the CS Magnum Khukri machete. It is a bit thinner than that model (it is listed at 2.75 mm).

It is actually pretty thick for a machete.

I don't find that thickness to be particularly "ringy" when you hit something hard.
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Yup. Unless I see something earth moving, I'm fine with the Mag Khukri and Condor Parang.
 
I like the look of that ESEE. Thin blade - just over 1/16". And a decent length at almost 18" - what I consider to be the minimum.
 
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