Machetes & Bush Knives

If you're only going to have one, then I'd recommend a Condor El Salvador. Which one 1095 or stainless?
 
All it says on it was made in China. I had this thing in the shop laying by the floor for years. It got a pretty good coating of surface rust, never had a sheath and wasn't exactly cared for in the least. It was sharp though and it had a hickory handle grip even if it was always lose. It had a big upsweep toward the tip but it was the sweet spot in the middle and I just whacked it on the side just a bit more than it liked and it chuncked out on me. It was near a knot too. It was way more than you could fix without a major shortening of the blade so I tossed it. It looked a lot like this one but it certainly wasn't stainless steel. http://machetespecialist.com/vima20inulwa.html You know how after you've been chopping a while and you just want to get it done gather the wood and get back inside? Well that was the case. The log I was cutting was the last one, it was probably bigger than it should have been in diameter and I tried to hurry things along. Thats when I broke it.

After that broke is when I bought a Cold Steel made in China 1055 replacement that I've used ever since. Actually I picked up two of them. Those two cheap Cold Steel machetes are the two I use the most, a 12" Bowie and an 18" and both have held up pretty good for me. I mainly like the handle grips on them more than the other machetes I have so thats why I go for those when it comes to beating on something. They came with sheaths and ended up being cheaper for me too so that had something to do with it. Not sure what I'm missing by not having one of the Condor or other brands. I think a lot of them are probably similar steels aren't they? I mean 1055, 1070 or 1095 will work no matter who makes it right? I think most all of them are around 50 Rockwell regardless of where it came from so to me it just made sense to go cheap since I'll probably break it. Condor is nice. If I broke one I'd be pissed though.

Still I must admit chopping is fun. I rather enjoy the exercise too when my tennis elbow will allow the work. I can't do it for the lengths of time I used to and certainly not without popping four motrin first. Great thread guys. If I had something worth showing off other than that antique I just posted pics of the other day I'd post them. http://machetespecialist.com/vima20inulwa.html

Some of you guys really have some neat collections. I've been drooling for the last year over that P.J. Tomes Scagel repro custom machete I go back to repeadedly when sitting on the throne. Its from the Jan of 08 issue in Tac Knives if you missed it. Now thats a machete! Boy if I broke that one at $325 I'd really be pissed! :D

STR
 
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Hey Moonwilson, please list the names of the last 3 (smaller) machetes you have in your pics, please and thanks. I think the 2nd to last is a comba machete, what do you think of it?

STR, I really like the looks of the P.J. Tomes Scagel repro custom machete also, but anything over $50 for a machete is really too much $. I wanted a BRKT and Fiddleback, but again too much and really can it compare (greater performance) to a $5 Tramontina?

Condor has a good warranty, if you dont like it mail it back for a full refund.

Thanks guys:thumbup:
 
The warranty sounds great. I didn't know about it. Thanks

STR
 
onado2000 said:
Hey Moonwilson, please list the names of the last 3 (smaller) machetes you have in your pics, please and thanks. I think the 2nd to last is a comba machete, what do you think of it?
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The 3 smaller machetes in this picture are the 14" Imacasa Pata de Cuche, the Condor combat machete, and a 12" Tramontina. The Pata de Cuche is the boss. :thumbup: I haven't really had a chance to use the combat machete yet, but I like it. It's not really a proper machete, though, IMHO. It's more of a smatchet or a gladius, really. It's quite thick and heavy. In contrast to the hog-sticker, which is almost paper-thin, and light as a feather.
 
I'm waiting on UPS (sigh) to deliver a Tramontina to me TODAY (supposedly...).
You guys are killing me with this thread.
 
Coyja said:
I'm waiting on UPS (sigh) to deliver a Tramontina to me TODAY (supposedly...).
You guys are killing me with this thread.
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Dido.

Machetes are a fun tool. They make it easy to want to start collecting them too being that the working man can actually afford them.

STR
 
Yeah, well, I actually got the 18in Tramontina today and its awesome. I already sharpened it up enough that I cut myself...
Now just 3 more months of living downtown before I get any long term outside time.
 
I've been looking at that 14" one by Tramotina. I'd already have bought it but I can't see that they have a sheath for it.

STR
 
STR, just so you know machetespecialist.com is offering free Imacasa green canvas sheath with the purchase of any 18 or 22 inch Tramontina. I like the Tramontinas, IMO easily sharpens with a stone and retains the edge w/heavy use.

Moonwilson & 42 B, I know you guys bought the Fiddleback Collins machete, what is your opinion now that you have them (I see the red mircata handle in Moonwilsons pic up top)??? I wanted one, but thought a little too much $ for a Collins w/new handles. I am envious though;). Thanks fellas.
 
onado2000 said:
STR, just so you know machetespecialist.com is offering free Imacasa green canvas sheath with the purchase of any 18 or 22 inch Tramontina. I like the Tramontinas, IMO easily sharpens with a stone and retains the edge w/heavy use.

Moonwilson & 42 B, I know you guys bought the Fiddleback Collins machete, what is your opinion now that you have them (I see the red mircata handle in Moonwilsons pic up top)??? I wanted one, but thought a little too much $ for a Collins w/new handles. I am envious though;). Thanks fellas.
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I missed the mailman today, so I found a little salmon colored slip in the mail box. I'll be picking it up at the post office tomorrow. Don't worry--I'll be govomg ot a good review. ;)

As far as I'm concerned, the price was cheap. :DA new-old-stock USA-made Collins with a Fiddleback handle? For the same cost as a large Condor (at full MSRP pricing that is) I consider that a steal! Have you seen what some rusted-to-hell Collins machetes have been going for on the 'bay lately? Rediculous! :eek:
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I missed the mailman today, so I found a little salmon colored slip in the mail box. I'll be picking it up at the post office tomorrow. Don't worry--I'll be govomg ot a good review. ;)

As far as I'm concerned, the price was cheap. :DA new-old-stock USA-made Collins with a Fiddleback handle? For the same cost as a large Condor (at full MSRP pricing that is) I consider that a steal! Have you seen what some rusted-to-hell Collins machetes have been going for on the 'bay lately? Rediculous! :eek:
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Nothing like the smell of a brand new Collins in new leather! :D

sheaths003.jpg
 
Where did you get the new old stock Fiddleback Collin's Machete's guys?

STR
 
Horndog, how did you come by that (looks like a 14inch?) Collins? Very nice leather sheath! Man, you have nice tools!

STR, look on the custom makers section (where your forum is) and you will see it mentioned, I think he has one left, I wish I could but Im holding out for RC (I cant have both).
 
well whatever floats your boat. if i was in the amazon or the african plains you would not catch me dead without a good ole machete. great for clearing away brush.....but then again when i go in the rocky mountains i like a larger knife that is thicker for batoning. i backpack and sometimes the lenght of a machete is just to much to take with me. also i like that at least most of my knives are thicker than many machetes ive come across(though those are mainly walmart variaty)
 
Horn Dog said:
Nothing like the smell of a brand new Collins in new leather! :D

sheaths003.jpg
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I'm still really jealous. Those short ones don't seem to turn up frequently, let alone in good condition or at an affordable price! :(
 
nutnfancyfan said:
well whatever floats your boat. if i was in the amazon or the african plains you would not catch me dead without a good ole machete. great for clearing away brush.....but then again when i go in the rocky mountains i like a larger knife that is thicker for batoning. i backpack and sometimes the lenght of a machete is just to much to take with me. also i like that at least most of my knives are thicker than many machetes ive come across(though those are mainly walmart variaty)
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The new Junglas will be thick, for a machete. It should be a good all-around big knife.
 
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