Machete! US made! Which and What maker?

B

browndude3649

Joined
Oct 8, 2005
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If money is no object, and or if you just don't feel like paying that much for a machete, What's your pick and why?
Cheap to Agg expensive--what do you like?

Saw a SP8 from ontario knives, but becker knife and tool makes some nice one's too
 
I've got the sp-8. I love it but, living on the coast, I have to keep it oiled or it will rust quickly!
It came with an edge that I was able to shave with. Maintaining that edge is easy as well.
I use it for cutting the many evergreens that are trying to crowd me out and it is everything I could have asked for. Nice sheath as well.


Mack
Beware the Candiru
 
The most effective way of keeping a carbon blade from rusting is to put it to good use everyday! It's a sure way of wearing down any nasty build-up of rust-spots. Most untreated blades surfaces would stain of course, but nothing serious enough that could end its service. But basic maintenance usually pays off, so that means oiling it down or whatever, once you're through with it for the day.
As most machetes are fairly cheap to replace. It's not entirely a great loss, should a machete wear down, get's destroyed or simply decides to walk's away... So my vote goes to no particular brand which is affordable and expendable; but with a solid company reputation of manufacturing efficient and effective cutting tools.
 
I would get a Valiantco golok / parang, then get it thinned, reground to more acute geometry.
 
Get the Ontario with the new molded handle... they're way better than the old riveted handles that ratteles loose.
 
One that I've been looking at for years, but I've yet to buy is the Woodsman's Pal. It's a bit different, but looks like it would be very useful. I think it runs around $70.

:)
 
I have the Ontario cutlass. The thick bladed short one. It is not one of those flimsy machetes we are all use to. I sanded the handle to make it flush with the tang and convexed the edge. A heck of a tool.
 
Any of the Ontario Knife Company's machetes. I like the ones with the hand guards because they stay in your hand better. They don't cost much, but in a pinch will be worth many times what you paid for them.
 
OK, maybe I'm just an old school guy who likes old tools. :)

But my favorite machetess are old - pre-60s - US made Collins machetes. These are full forged, even though it's done so well they ALMOST look like they're ground from flat stock. But when you look closely you see the distal taper, the thicker ricasso, the spine slightly thicker than the edge behind the grind. Maybe I'm just seeing what I want - maybe it's all in my head :D - but I get great performance from these old warhorses.

The obvious downside is you can't just go to a dealer and order them, you need to haunt Ebay, flea markets, antique stores, etc. But for me, it's worth it.

Current production, for a machete I'd give Martindale a significant edge over Tramontina, and for a chopper I'd go Valiant. For a ground from flatstock piece, the Ontarios are great too.
 
Theres only two currrent american manufactures of machetes that I know of one is ontario which are alittle on the thick side for what I would call machete work and then theres barteaux which has some inexpensive models with molded on handles and are thin enough to not tear your arm to hell if you have to work with it alot. http://www.machete.com/ is thier site you may have to but directly from them as finding them for sale other places is hard.
 
I LOVE the Martindale machetes. They are more durable and cut better than the Ontario. You won't regret buying one.
 
Another vote here for the SP8, i absolutely love it. Replaced my hatchet without any concerns.
 
I have an old sugar beet machete that has served our hunting camp for about 30 years, but it's starting to wear out so must be replaced. I may just hammer one out at a friends place.
 
Barteaux makes a good machete here in the USA. Unfortunately, they're kinda hard to find. They make thin and heavy models, as well as cane knives.
 
I've got an old Ontario U.S. model and it's pretty much all i need. does everything from cutting to digging and doesn't complain. And for the price if it gets stolen or broken no big deal. later,ahgar
 
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