Machetes & Bush Knives

had to buy a new machete, seems mine found a new home, not really a big market to choose from around here but... the local hardware store had 2 ontario orange machetes, I think one was a 22" I opted for the 18" and a 10" mill file, can you say 18" razorblade?
here are the details of the machete: 23" overall. 17 3/4" black zinc phosphate finish 1095 carbon steel blade and one piece molded orange plastic handle with knuckle guard.
here are some action pics on a 5" oak log.
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I also bought the sheath that goes to it, I think it is nylon with a plastic liner.
 
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The Ontario machetes are nice and hefty! Good snag! Just haven't gotten around to grabbing one yet since I already have, like, 3 Latin-styled machetes--and once the Condor/RAT machete comes out it'll be 4! :D
 
42B or HornDog, are the Collins machetes worth the $, its stamped "Vintage Legitimus Collins & Co." I found a few for sale. Thanks
 
i personally like my African "Panga" that i picked up in Uganda, pretty much just a basic machete
 
onado2000 said:
42B or HornDog, are the Collins machetes worth the $, its stamped "Vintage Legitimus Collins & Co." I found a few for sale. Thanks
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If it's Collins it's DEFINITELY is worth the money. The company hasn't been around for some time now, but they were THE machete to have back in their day! And still are. ;)
 
onado2000 said:
42B or HornDog, are the Collins machetes worth the $, its stamped "Vintage Legitimus Collins & Co." I found a few for sale. Thanks
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They are among the best machetes ever made, IMO, but I wouldn't pay big bucks for one. The Condors, Tramontinas, Imacasas, and Ontarios are good machetes, too. Just stay away from the Chinese ones and you're pretty safe. All those I have used from Latin America are good.
 
R.A.T. said:
Machetes are a lot softer on the Rc scale than your standard sheath knife. And while I'm sure there are cases that a sheath knife is better (perhaps the cold north?), you just can't beat a machete for general wilderness survival. Besides, in a lot of environments most survival stuff is already on the ground anyway. I break more stuff than I cut. Debris shelters rarely need anything living cut down, and what splitting you may need to do to get a fire going is easily done with a machete. I have cleaned animals in SA with a machete, but I like my folder or a fixed blade much better for that chore. I'm not dissing anyone's choice of survival tool. And since I only know enough about Northern survival to get me killed, 1. I'm not even qualified to speak on the ability of a machete in the Northern woods. With that said, I also know there is a literal ton of bullshit when it comes to "survival" knives, as well as most other purpose designed knives. 2. Machetes don't have the cool factor of most "survival" knives, they are longer, thus making them harder to pack, and they are flimsy so I can see why they have never caught on as the ultimate survival tool (which they are, IMO). Speaking of all of this I was out today with a machete harvesting fatwood and splitting it up in preparation for the winter coming.
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1. Actually you in all probability are...;)

2. "Cool" doesn't keep you alive. I'm in Northern Ontario and do most of what needs to be done with a 12" Ontario machete and a SAK Farmer, a combo that has thus far worked well for me (45 years worth)...:cool:



blake
 
blake g49 said:
1. Actually you in all probability are...;)

2. "Cool" doesn't keep you alive. I'm in Northern Ontario and do most of what needs to be done with a 12" Ontario machete and a SAK Farmer, a combo that has thus far worked well for me (45 years worth)...:cool:



blake
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My own observations on those same points:

1. I can't imagine that wood up here is much harder than some of the tropical hardwoods. I've never been in the woods in the South, but in my Northern experience machetes do great on just about everything!

2. If machetes aren't cool, than I don't want to be cool! Honestly, though, who could pass up a great big huge choppy thing that works well and costs so little? :D
 
blake g49 said:
2. "Cool" doesn't keep you alive. I'm in Northern Ontario and do most of what needs to be done with a 12" Ontario machete and a SAK Farmer, a combo that has thus far worked well for me (45 years worth)...:cool:
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I'm finding myself at a constant battle between a short machete, and a hatchet.
 
Indeed! Why have one when you can have both? :D

On an aside note, I'm almost done sanding one of those Collins/Nicholson machetes I picked up. I'll post up side-by-side comparison pics when I'm done!:cool: Trying to hand-rub a near mirror finish is a lot of work, but when you're in a small apartment and don't have power tools, what choice do you have? :p
 
Please guys I said I was torn, :)

I usually try to take a machete, an axe, a hachet, and the latest go to has been a 30 inch bowsaw. I never understood why backpackers took folding saws. Having mutiple cutting options helps gather more wood in less time without tiring out muscle groups
 
How about a short, broad machete? Maybe something like the 18" Condor Outback? Or the new bolo whenever that finally hits shelves. Retains the versatility of a regular Latin machete but with some extra "oomph" on the business end. ;)
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This one's the Outback. :)
 
I'm actually looking really close at the viking. Love the condor el Salvador I got a bit ago. Very nimble.
 
Condor has the Golok coming out. Its 1/4 thick 14inch cutting edge 1095 steel, for about $30. I bought a few from machetespecialist.com :thumbup: he has Tramontinas, Imacasa and Condors, REALLY GREAT customer service and FREE shipping after $50 purchase. If I didn’t mention it already, great customer service, the owner has emailed me every time and answered ALL my questions, cant say enough about this site and the owner. I’m one of those PITA customers that ask a ton of questions before I buy anything, he has emailed me every time same day replies. Check em out for yourself:thumbup:
 
Dizwolf said:
I'm actually looking really close at the viking. Love the condor el Salvador I got a bit ago. Very nimble.
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Get it. You'll love it--at least I know I do! :D
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onado2000 said:
Condor has the Golok coming out. Its 1/4 thick 14inch cutting edge 1095 steel, for about $30. I bought a few from machetespecialist.com :thumbup: he has Tramontinas, Imacasa and Condors, REALLY GREAT customer service and FREE shipping after $50 purchase. If I didn’t mention it already, great customer service, the owner has emailed me every time and answered ALL my questions, cant say enough about this site and the owner. I’m one of those PITA customers that ask a ton of questions before I buy anything, he has emailed me every time same day replies. Check em out for yourself:thumbup:
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Great dude, for sure. Cam really knows his stuff! I have yet to make an order from him, but I'll be grabbing more than a few once summer rolls 'round! He's the only guy around who carries Imacasa!
 
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