Predator Machete

[Jeremy_9]

Does anyone have the 100 dollar Predator machete that comes with the plaque and the name on the blade? If so is it of decent quality and worth the C note it goes for on Amazon?

 

[almasy87]

Not worth it at all unless you really want a wall hanger. You can get a perfectly good machete for $20. Additionally, a stainless steel blade that long is liable to break.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Additionally, a stainless steel blade that long is liable to break.

As long as it isn't a Condor machete that is. Those ones are good in stainless. Stay away from any other stainless machete, though.

 

[Jeremy_9]

What about SOG machetes and Gator brand?

 

[Raining]

I would advise you to stick with tried and true machete brands if you want a solid user. Condor, Tramontina and Ontario for inexpensive. Tramontina's are excellent, light machetes for around $5 - my 12" tram is one of my favorites.

Condors can be had for around $20 and are more heavy duty. I love the 18" El Salvador model and it can take a beating - plus it is sharp out of the box, something not found in most inexpensive machetes.

I hear Cold Steel has ok ones for cheap, too, but have never handled one.

If you want more expensive, you can look at ESEE, Bark River, or custom makers.

 

[GWashington1732]

What about SOG machetes and Gator brand?

The Gator machetes are made by Gerber, which is owned by Fiskars. So in essence you get a $10 Fiskars machete, which is good cheap machete. Except that the Gerber one has that useless sawback crap on it which I still believe is dangerous, useless, and an incredibly stupid feature on a machete; plus and they jack up the price 2-3 times as much for these useless features and for the Gerber brand name. The same goes for the SOG, you get a Gerber Gator with a slightly different handle for $20 more than you'll pay for a cheap Fiskars or whatever other brand you can pick up at the hardware store for under ten dollars.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The Gator machetes are made by Gerber, which is owned by Fiskars. So in essence you get a $10 Fiskars machete, which is good cheap machete. Except that the Gerber one has that useless sawback crap on it which I still believe is dangerous, useless, and an incredibly stupid feature on a machete; plus and they jack up the price 2-3 times as much for these useless features and for the Gerber brand name. The same goes for the SOG, you get a Gerber Gator with a slightly different handle for $20 more than you'll pay for a cheap Fiskars or whatever other brand you can pick up at the hardware store for under ten dollars.

Yeah--steer clear of the Gerber Gator machete or the stupid SOG ones. In addition to the useless saw-backs the Gators have a short, bolted tang. The SOGs have uncomfortable handles that cause hot spots.