Condor Machete Questions

Sharp Knives 86

Sharp Knives 86

Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Messages
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Ok so after reading so many comments praising Condor machetes, I think I may join the crowd and pick one up aswell. Atm I'm eying an 18" El Salvador machete and I'm torn between the carbon or stainless version. Now normally (and this may just be because I'm ignorant) I don't trust any type of stainless steel for the type heavy duty work a machete is ment for especially 420 but I really haven't heard any complaints about the stainless steel Condor uses. Basically what I want to know is, is the ss version really worth the extra $? Does either version weigh more than the other? How tough are the ss versions compared to the carbon vers? Also this is a pretty random question but why do most Condor blades have a hole in them? Does it serve a purpous?
 
I have the 18" El Salvador in carbon and can't say enough good things about it. I read about the stainless they use - supposedly really good stuff, but I don't see a need for a stainless machete, especially since the carbon machete is coated. And if you use it, any rust would come right off. :D

Also, I prefer the 1075 since I know what it can handle (tougher than 1095) and likely much tougher than their 420HC.

The hole is a trademark, like the Spyderco hole. No purpose.
 
I might be wrong here, but the difference in cost between the SS one and the carbon is due to the fact that the SS one comes with the delux leather sheath which costs about $25 on its own. The carbon one comes sheathless. If you buy the carbon one and opt for the optional leather sheath they are about the same price. Personally, I'd totally go with the carbon on (I have the ESEE lite machete which is basically the carbon one and like it). I'm probably going to opt for the leather sheath for it also one of these days.
 
Sharp Knives 86 said:
Ok so after reading so many comments praising Condor machetes, I think I may join the crowd and pick one up aswell. Atm I'm eying an 18" El Salvador machete and I'm torn between the carbon or stainless version. Now normally (and this may just be because I'm ignorant) I don't trust any type of stainless steel for the type heavy duty work a machete is ment for especially 420 but I really haven't heard any complaints about the stainless steel Condor uses. Basically what I want to know is, is the ss version really worth the extra $? Does either version weigh more than the other? How tough are the ss versions compared to the carbon vers? Also this is a pretty random question but why do most Condor blades have a hole in them? Does it serve a purpous?
Click to expand...

You know, I don't have any reason I can think of why I'd rather take the 420HC version, as nice as it is. The drastic price difference just isn't worth it. 1075 is an ideal steel for machete blades, and the 15-25 dollar price range is unbeatable. The Eye of the Condor is what they call the hole in the blade, it's purely decorative, although you can do a 2 inch paracord wrap there to create a more comfortable purchase for drawknifing.
 
I have the 14in El Salvidor in Carbon, and the 18in El Salvidor in stainless. They are both fantastic. The carbon one is thicker then the stainless one so it feels more sturdy in the hand, although it is heavier then the stainless one. Both chop very well. Id go for the Carbon. I like its heft a bit better then the stainless one.
 
I would get the carbon version. I am not saying the stainless is bad, as I love my Viking, but I just overall prefer carbon steels. Either way, I don't think you could really go wrong. :thumbup:
 
Can't go wrong either way INMHO. If you find yourself swashbuckling on the high seas later on, you may want to think about the stainless, but the 1075 is solid. Don't forget about their Eco-light. The same as the El Salvador, just a little bit thinner (same as ESEE's) but at $12 with a condor Edge!
http://www.machetespecialists.com/18-eco-light-machete.html
 
I'll second Joe's Eco-Light suggestion. I have a dozen different styles of machetes and for extended use you just can't beat a nice 1/16th thick machete. I brought an Army issued Ontario on my first trip to central America and when my arm wore out after a couple hours I was handed an Imacasa and never looked back. If your doing a lot of clearing you'll really appreciate the balance of a light machete.

PS- Condor's stainless is the only stainless that I trust. It is very durable and holds a great edge.
 
Thanks for the imput guys. The stainless really sounds interesting but I think though I'm gonna go with an 18" and 14" carbon El Salvador since I can basically get both for the price of one stainless. That being said I will definatelty pick up a stainless one in the future.
 
There are a few stainless models that I really like, and would own if they came in carbon... I may have to try one out eventually. The Jungle Saber being one...
 
The funny thing is that so many folks seem to have a lack of trust when it comes to 420HC in a machete...it's actually one of the better steels to use in a situation where impact resistance is key. I love my stainless Condors, and have been unable to notice a big difference in performance between them and their 1075 models except that the 1075 sharpens up super easy. It'll take a little longer to put the edge on the 420HC models, but not by much, and the performance is so close as to be negligible.

If I were going to be using my machete along the coastline I'd go with one of the stainless models. If I were just going to be doing typical woods-bumming I'd get whichever model I felt like, steel be damned. They put a great HT on either. ;):thumbup:
 
I like Condor's stainless jungle sabre for my trips to a salt marsh where I camp. I bring a carbon beater occasionally but they will be coated in a light rust after only a couple hours in the salt air. I have battoned a lot of firewood with my 20in stainless outback model. I agree that the carbon models are a little easier to sharpen but once the edge is there the 420hc holds it about the same as the 1075.
 
Joezilla said:
hey MD, did you see this post?
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=760464

Other herpers who use Imacasa, here.
Click to expand...

Sweet, I love the red eft. They are common here but I never have good luck finding them. Great job with all the kids, getting the next generation of machete wielders started.
Where did this guys sheath come from? It looks very similar to one I was given by my guide in Cost Rica last week.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/Joezilla/AWCI Kids Camp July/DSC02117.jpg
 
the carbons are easier to field sharpen than the stainless.. unless you live on the coast i do not see the need of getting a stainless machete. my carbon has lasted me 15-20yrs. very little rust
 
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