Sorry, I started falling asleep during your post. Had to drink some coffee and come back to it. I'm a huge kukri fan. Started with HI and built up a large collection (mostly safe queens). After a weekend in the woods with some buddies, I realized that arm fatigue was setting in. That's when I started researching machetes. I had never looked into any "high-end" machetes, as my dad always kept his in the garage hanging on hooks and I always viewed them as something more akin to a weed-eater than a blade. So my internet research began. I started by buying CS, Tramontina, Imacasa.. ehhhh.. after a few seconds on the belt sander, they performed well and were ridiculously cheap (there's a wholesale website that sells to the public with no minimum order that's still in existence where you can buy such things for ~$5). But.. I wasn't impressed. I like the shortness and maneuverability of the smaller blades, but when it came time to clear heavier branches, they all disappointed. I decided to up the ante a bit and then bought some Ontatios, Ka-Bars, Kershaws, a Valiant Golok, a BRKT Golok, some Condors and then eventually ponied up the money for a SRKW Rucki (which I'm waiting on). They all performed exceptionally well at clearing brush AND getting through tougher growth - but one really stood out.
Honestly, the Valiant Golok does everything I need it to. It's extremely comfortable, razor sharp, holds an edge like nobody's business and is the perfect size to pull double duty as a brush-clearer/chopper. I've been using one since 2006 for some heavy-duty clearing and it hasn't failed me yet. The BRKT is a close second. While I want to like it more since I paid more for it and it's full tang, I honestly can't say that it performs any better, and in fact, after extended usage, starts giving me blisters.
I'm really impressed with the performance of the Condors for their price. They come nicely finished and are usually quite adept at their job. I will never buy another Cold Steel machete again after I had a piece of Latin machete snap off and come flying at my face at about 45 miles an hour. Honestly, the CS machetes are my least favorite. For less $$$, buy an Imacasa or Tramontina and give it some TLC (I like to grind the tip to a point, add a short sharpened top swedge, add a lovely convex grind, sand rust and scratches off of the blade, sand the wood handles even with the tang, and apply linseed oil. It takes all of about 45 minutes to turn a $5 machete into a blade to be reckoned with. I've had friends come over and mistake my various Tramontina experiments for custom blades.
Wow... and I harped on the OP for posting a novel. I'm getting more into higher-end big blades and will also hopefully be picking up a Miller Bros M-22 very soon to compare to my Rucki when it comes in. I doubt anything that I currently own will come close. If those don't do it for me, I think I may just have a custom made for me by someone who specializes in such things.
Just don't make the same mistake I did - bigger isn't always better - especially when it comes to machetes. Find a size that you can swing comfortably for extended periods of time that will accomplish the tasks you need it to.
That being said, I went all mall-ninja a couple of weeks ago and bought a Condor Discord. That is beautiful piece of steel with nice Micarta scales and a nice leather sheath for only $100.
