good length for a machete

M

MAkives

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May 5, 2015
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Sip everybody maknivea with a question for everybody. Im getting a machete soon but for my uses i dont know whats a good length. Im going to use it for brush clearing and light to medium chopping. I keep on glancing at the eco parang but its short on the plus side thoigh it chops very well and is lightweight. As a final question does anybody know a parang sheath that might fit it peace.
 
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa, I saw the 18 inch machete used for everything - 18 inches is a good length to start with if a person is new to using machetes. 18 inches of blade length is also the maximum for carrying conveniently in a belt sheath. The belt sheath convenience is probably why the US military and Fiji armed forces issue an 18 inch length machete.

If I had to use a machete daily for clearing brush, I might try a longer blade but I have never used one more than 18 inches long. Right now, my most commonly used bush knife (machete) for use around the house or garden is a 14 inch Tramontina - it was packaged and sold as a "household knife".;)
 
I have a cheap 18" Gerber gator I keep with the garden tools, and it does just fine clearing light brush and branches around the property... I'm not a fan of Gerber anymore, and bought at a time my ignorance was admittedly still pretty high compared to now, its the last Gerber I own, and will buy something else next time around, but for now it does the job just fine... That said, 18" is a good length to maneuver and chop with. Not too large.
-edit - I could probably do most of the household "chores" with a 14" blade just fine so, anything between the two I'd say is a "good" length to consider.
 
18" is probably about right.
I have a 14" Tramontina I use around the yard for clearing, pruning and chopping. I've got a longer Martindale panga (blade is about 21") that I use for edging the lawn. For most of my purposes (and my size; I'm 5'3"), I prefer the Tramontina. The Martindale gets heavy after a while, even with the distal taper. :)
 
MAkives said:
Sip everybody maknivea with a question for everybody. Im getting a machete soon but for my uses i dont know whats a good length. Im going to use it for brush clearing and light to medium chopping. I keep on glancing at the eco parang but its short on the plus side thoigh it chops very well and is lightweight. As a final question does anybody know a parang sheath that might fit it peace.
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It really depends on where you're at. Jungle, 18 was the best for me especially if you're dealing with dense secondary jungle undergrowth. I also liked putting as much distance between me and the plethora of insects/plants that will sting, stab and bite me.
In my neck of the midwest woods, my old man and I prefer 10-12 inch since its more controllable and comfortable to carry on your belt.

At the very least, get yourself a Ontario 18inch. Excellent machete for the price.
 
18 inch all the way. My 18" Condor gets used for grasses and light tree trimming while my 20" Ontario languishes in the garage. The Condor's light weight makes it easier to use for longer periods as well. The Ontario only makes it out if I have to take down something substantial that needs a bit of chopping.
 
I have a 13 inch Kukri, an 18 inch machete and a 24 inch machete.

I put in alot of machete hours. The 18 inch gets used all the time. The others end up as task specific, and don't get used much.

If you want something short, I'd suggest a kukri, as it chops like nobody's business.

Get something with a good handle. I think my next machete will be from Huntsman over on the knifemaker's discussion forum.
 
Generally speaking I tend to suggest no shorter than 14" with 18" being the most common sweet spot for general application. I generally prefer 20"+ for my purposes and usually don't go shorter than 16". An 18" medium-weight "Latin" pattern (the classic gently upswept machete shape) tends to be the best first machete for folks getting familiar with the tool, after which you can better determine what features you'd want more of and what you'd want less of.
 
On another website, I read an article by a man who spent time in a village in West Africa and frequently had to deal with poisonous snakes - a problem I have never had. He suggested that the machete tip should just clear the ground when held beside a standing person's leg. That would be a 24 inch blade on my body - a longer machete than I have ever used. Of course, I have never had to lop off the head of a poisonous snake in my front yard - it must be an interesting experience:confused::D
 
There's a reason why the classic snake-killing tool is an eye hoe. Keeps you at a safe distance and has the blade oriented properly for striking the narrow target with ease.
 
Don't know where you live. I will tell you my preferences for Eastern hardwoods and brush/briars..... Condor wood handled El Salvador (18"). It's a latin design. IF you have large hands, get the poly handle. Both are very comfortable. This will handle everything from flexible vegetation to smaller trees and branches.

If you are mostly going to be more rigid stuff like branches, small trees, and the occasional brush (vines and so forth), I'd get the Duku Parang (15.5" blade). Don't have this one, but I have the Golok (regular and Pack), and suspect this one is a real chopper. Another that I would find useful is the Condor Swamp Master (16"). I use its predecessor (Puerto Rican) a lot. Essentially I am recommending something in the 16-18" blade length and the rigidity will determine what kinds of materials it handles better.

If the machete is something you are only going to use occasionally as in trail maintenance or camp duty, I would consider a 10-14" length and probably something rigid like the Village Parang, Pack Golok, or Kumunga. Basically one of these might be a bit more trail friendly.
 
I just picked up an 18in tramontina from Baryonyx, with the 'special grade' finish it came ready-to-use, razor sharp, and feels very good in the hand and being swung. I'd say go for an 18in Latin shape before you get the 18in military, the Latin is a better machete as the military is meant for more general purpose use and isn't as comfortable when being used as a machete. I had an Ontario 18in military, it was a beast but I like the Tramontina 18in better, it's lighter yet feels just as tough.
 
skyhorse said:
The 18 inch Tramontina is a good all around machete. Good to see Baryonyx Knife Co. now also sells Tramontinas.
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I totally agree with this. Tramontina, for sure. Of course, Ontario makes an 18 inch that is superb, and cheap (25 bucks), but it doesn't come with a sheath (have to get one separate, so extra cost)

My recommendation: (My opinion) stay away from Gerber.
 
Faiaoga said:
As a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa, I saw the 18 inch machete used for everything - 18 inches is a good length to start with if a person is new to using machetes. 18 inches of blade length is also the maximum for carrying conveniently in a belt sheath. The belt sheath convenience is probably why the US military and Fiji armed forces issue an 18 inch length machete.

If I had to use a machete daily for clearing brush, I might try a longer blade but I have never used one more than 18 inches long. Right now, my most commonly used bush knife (machete) for use around the house or garden is a 14 inch Tramontina - it was packaged and sold as a "household knife".;)
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i have an 18'' bolo machete and never needed more blade lenght for anything 18'' really is the perfect size
 
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