Help me choose a good quality machete style and make please.

[Tallbald]

For several years I have chosen to gift my adult children gifts that are practical and useful. Maglight flashlights, quality hand axes, things like that. These gifts are meant to be helpful to them now and in the future in ways they could not have predicted. I'm now refining my gift choices to items that do not require batteries, electronic connections and other advanced tech support to continue being valued.
Machetes. Those ancient tools of men and women who must fend for themselves. That is this year's gift choice.
Take a look at MidwayUSA and you will see many styles of machetes in a number of lengths shapes and materials. I know there are great brands, good brands and brands that are more tailored to folks who like "fantasy" stuff made shiny and nasty looking. I want to give the real deal made of good high carbon steel that will hold an edge for hacking through underbrush, skinning supper, and if need be defending oneself.
Please you folks who have real honest experience help me out in making some choices. I can afford to go up to around $40 per machete, and if a better price and grade of tool means I craft each person a sheath for their gift that's fine. Thanks. Don.

 

[eveled]

My first thought was a woodsman's pal, but I can't find one for less than $54.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Have a look at the Gerber line.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Gerber makes some pretty nice stuff. I have a well used one in the shop that has lots of experience with blackberry vines.

 

[eveled]

A firestarter would be a fine present, this company makes really nice ones. http://allweatherfirestarters.com/shop/

 

[JohnBoy]

Tramontina - made in Brazil, carbon steel. Great tool and affordable - like Mora knives.

 

[Snake45]

Ontario USGI spec machete. Plain but all-bidness. One of the few true bargains left in the world. I've been using one for more than 20 years now and it's still good as new. And you can sharpen it in minutes with a file, or a simple carbide V-thingie. Or a rock, probably, if that's all you have handy. I've never seen any other machete at ANY price that I'd rather have.

 

[WendyZXZ]

This is the closest thing we have to a machete:



That is compared to a Spyderco knife that has a 3" blade.

 

[gramps]

Missionaries I am acquainted with " swear by or at" the machete's made by the "COLLINS" co. As an amateur radio operator, I have run phone patches from nurses to Orthopedic surgeons on how to deal with injuries from theses machete's. The injury's are collectively called "Collins Syndrome". I have a Collins that was called a "coconut machete". It has a 14 inch blade that looks more like a cutlass than a machete. It also has a leather sheath. I have used it for 43 years, and wouldn't trade it for anything. It was made in Guatemala, by the Collins Co. Good luck.
gramps

PS I also have a tradtional jungle machete that is 18 inches long from Wally World, that cost $8.00. It gets used occasionally. They are DULL when first bought.

 

[SAJohn]

While being a long shot, check out your local military surplus and Thrift stores. I picked up a 1943 U.S. military machete in 99% condition with original canvas sheath for $15 two years ago. The construction quality was an A+. Weather and photobucket permitting, I will post a photo.

 

[Tom W]

I have a Cold Steel bolo machete. It sharpens up well. I just used it yesterday to get a pesky shrub down.

 

[DGW1949]

Ontario USGI spec machete. Plain but all-bidness. One of the few true bargains left in the world. I've been using one for more than 20 years now and it's still good as new. And you can sharpen it in minutes with a file, or a simple carbide V-thingie. Or a rock, probably, if that's all you have handy. I've never seen any other machete at ANY price that I'd rather have.

I'll second what Snake said, and yep, I've had mine at least as long as he's had his.
Just in case you want to know what to look for so's you don't end up with some sort of China look-alike....mine's marked "Ontario Knife" right above the "U.S." property marking.

DGW

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I have an old 24" Collins that has served well, if a bit long for some situations. I also have a Gerber that is sort of a mini version of a Woodsman's Pal. Pretty handy, but it could use a bit more weight. Would post pics but something is goofy with photobucket. Tried it on my phone and iPad today and it is stuck in an endless loop that takes you back to the log in page over and over.

 

[steveodtw]

I also have a 24" Collins with a handguard that has served me well over the years. Used primarily for brushing out shooting lanes for hunting, and chopping sugar beers and pumpkins. I bought a weight-forward "Ghurka" type with a handguard when I misplaced the Collins. Can't get comfortable with the front loaded weight of that one. Seems to be a bit out of control for me. Good thing I found the old Collins again.

 

[pisgah]

My favorite machete came from Walmart a couple of years ago. A Gerber "Bear Grylls" parang-style machete. You need a full-size axe if this tool won't chop what you want chopped. I think I paid $40 for mine, but lately I have seen one at $30 somewhere. I have read that there was a recall on the earliest version of this one -- tangs were breaking -- but reissues like mine seem fine.

 

[steamloco76]

Ontario USGI spec machete. Plain but all-bidness. One of the few true bargains left in the world. I've been using one for more than 20 years now and it's still good as new. And you can sharpen it in minutes with a file, or a simple carbide V-thingie. Or a rock, probably, if that's all you have handy. I've never seen any other machete at ANY price that I'd rather have.

I've used and abused one of these since I was a teenager back in the early 1980's. Great steel that really takes a cutting edge. Definitely a 'Best Buy" machete.

 

[cyborgt800]

http://knifeimport.com/zombie-killer-full-tang-offset-edge-tactical-machete.aspx

 

[trapperon]

If you can swing closer to $50 or $55 check out the ontario spec plus sp8 machete. Awesome made in USA tool. .25 inch thick spine and just a great universal tool. I love mine and it is always in the truck with me----quality, functional and very useful. It will last a lifetime.

Ron

 

[Mike Armstrong]

I've used a "Cold Steel" bolo-style machete for many years, doing yardwork and lots of volunteer trail management and habitat restoration here, and at a forestry project in Guatemala that involved a lot of bamboo cutting. It has held up very well and is short enough to fit in a backpack so the suburbanites don't call 911 when you meet them on a trail....

Mine was made in South Africa back in 2000, not sure where they are made now. You can get it razor sharp with a fine mill file, or a river cobble busted in half. Of course, bamboo dulls ANY blade fast.

 

[Number9]

Or you could make one?

Made in '03 from a leftover piece of Grade 5 titanium...

 

[Tallbald]

Thank you all so much. I will go down the wonderful responses and make notes to research prices and availability. I will be pleased to gift my loved ones quality tools of good and practical use. Don.

 

[olcop]

If you are near an "Agri-Suply" store, they usually have a selection, ranging from poor to excellent, you'll recognize the brand names.
olcop

 

[olcop]

If you are near an "Agri-Suply" store, they usually have a selection, ranging from poor to excellent, you'll recognize the brand names.
olcop

 

[GunnyGene]

Machete design depends to a great extent on what kind of vegetation it's intended to be used on. Some designs work well on vine type stuff, but not well on woody stuff. I'd ignore any self-defense use that's advertised, since it's very unlikely it would be used for that purpose, and any kind of blade or blunt instrument will work for that. I'd recommend the Woodman's Pal for general use, since it is designed for heavy brush, thick wood, and vines. It has a thick heavy blade that holds an edge well, and the hook is perfect for small branches & vines. Get the one with the leather grip and finger guard if you decide on one. I use mine fairly regularly in the woods around my place, which has vines, heavy brush, and hardwood trees. https://www.protoolindustries.net/

 

[hesco]

https://www.machetespecialists.com/products/machetes/

 

[tinman]

Machete design depends to a great extent on what kind of vegetation it's intended to be used on. Some designs work well on vine type stuff, but not well on woody stuff. I'd ignore any self-defense use that's advertised, since it's very unlikely it would be used for that purpose, and any kind of blade or blunt instrument will work for that. I'd recommend the Woodman's Pal for general use, since it is designed for heavy brush, thick wood, and vines. It has a thick heavy blade that holds an edge well, and the hook is perfect for small branches & vines. Get the one with the leather grip and finger guard if you decide on one. I use mine fairly regularly in the woods around my place, which has vines, heavy brush, and hardwood trees. https://www.protoolindustries.net/

This........had one for years. Every time I use a different style I return to my WP.

 

[Rumrunner]

I use one of these and love it. I bought a cheap sheath for it that is for a straight edged one but it works. I use mine for clearing the ground for my ground blinds. Corn stalks, multiflower rose, etc are no problem.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/181274/cold-steel-garden-camp-machete-26-1055-carbon-steel-blade-polymer-handle

 

[Pat-inCO]

https://www.amazon.com/Bud-17-BKSZ2103-Genuine-Gurkha/dp/B00F2ISW32
I've got one and other than getting the initial edge on it, they are good.
But then again it takes so long on better steel. :D

 

[Kanook]

Pre internet days (thanks Al Gore) I asked a Veteran what would be a good machete. He still had his issued Ontario machete. I bought one and still use it 30yrs later. Even got lucky and found a US marked later, bought that one too.

 

[muzzleloader]

Woot just yesterday is running a special on CRKT parangs (sp?) you may find more sturdy and controlable than a machete. check it out.