Looking For New Machete

BBD280

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In the market for a new machete and want to get the most for my money. Let's keep it under $50......What are your suggestions? Thanks
 
Cold Steel Magnum Kukri ... search around on the interweb and you’ll find one for about $30.
 
The best one I have is an old cane cutter that was my great grandfathers.
Thin and cuts anything I have tried it on up to 2" branches.
 
Had one of the cheap ones, bend at the drop of a hat. Sharpened really sharp for a few minutes, would not hold an edge.
Really like my Ontario Steel mil Surp. not going to break the bank. Much harder to sharpen, but holds an edge much longer. Still use what's left. A friend managed to break about 4" off of the end.
Now I use the Cold Steel Kukri and love it.
CF
 
One more vote for the kukri.
 
If you just want a machete for cutting brush just spend $15 and get a Tramonita or Imacasa.......or just buy whatever looks fun to cut shit with like I do.

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I enjoy moding these blades

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Thanks, guys......I have plenty to look at. May get a Tramontina and a CS kukri and try them out.
 
Remember...a machete isn't supposed to be a high quality sword which epic edge retention qualities. It's essentially a brush knife made from a mild steel which is easily sharpened in the field.

What's important is the size and shape have to be suitable for what you need it for and that the handle fits your hand comfortably, 'cause swinging a machete for very long is apt to give you blisters if not.
 
Had one of the cheap ones, bend at the drop of a hat. Sharpened really sharp for a few minutes, would not hold an edge.
Really like my Ontario Steel mil Surp. not going to break the bank. Much harder to sharpen, but holds an edge much longer. Still use what's left. A friend managed to break about 4" off of the end.
Now I use the Cold Steel Kukri and love it.
CF
I don't know how you bent a machete, but they're not supposed to hold an edge like a katana. It's for beating twigs into submission, not carving a turkey.

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I was going to recommend an ESEE Lite machete, but I realized it was outside the price range.
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Otherwise, you can't go wrong with the recommended Tramotina's or Imacasa/Condor's. They're South American and they know machetes. The ESEE is actually a Imacasa/Condor blade. I think thrillhill handles Imacasa/Condor. Ontario's are decent. Their 12" machete is a thicker, heavier blade.
 
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While you're at it, pick up a surplus style hard plastic sheath. That's what mine rides in.
Also a properly tempered South American machete has a ring to it when you strike it and they are usually convex grind
 
I was going to recommend an ESEE Lite machete, but I realized it was outside the price range.
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Esee
Nah nah nah nah no out of price range go to see thrill he sell you good price.


No seriously he has a very good selection and can tell you about each one.
 
Honestly the best machete/trail knife I have (and I have a bunch) is the Kershaw Outcast. Sadly it is discontinued and NIB examples are now going for about double your price range. It is D2 tool steel and tough as nails while being very light weight. It cuts like a much longer and heavier blade due to the kukri like blade profile.
 
I feel inadequate now, I only have a Machete Jr. I got on sale at TSC.
 
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Best one I have carried well balanced and cuts Wells I have cut trees from arm size to leg size and blade keeps a edge
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two things:
1. i agree with the recommendations above...the CS kukri is a good one. i have two.
2. my first "machete" was brush hook or ditch blade that i cut down to ~17".
when i was 11, i didn't have money to buy a real one, so i cut off the handle
of an old, rusty hook. i cleaned it and tightened it and used it until my daddy
"traded" me with a real machete. i was happy and he got some enthusiastic
work out of me for that summer, anyway.
 
Go see Bill at Ed's knife shop and get a Condor. I recently purchased a Condor Eco Parang there and it cuts, slices and chops amazingly well. I'm going back to get the slightly larger Bushcraft Parang soon. I own Ontario, Gerber, Cold Steel and a SOG but the Condor is my favorite.

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Best one I have carried well balanced and cuts Wells I have cut trees from arm size to leg size and blade keeps a edge
230eaa09cfe21cacdc54b6f82eef1683.jpg


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I have one of these that's a Fiskars brand. It has been by far the most useful item I've carried in the woods.
 
Ask @thrillhill. The Condor Kukri he sold has been great. Although if you hit enough rocks and sharpen like crap it wears down. I grabbed another Condor with a heavier, thicker profile for chopping. It did a number on a few small trees.
 
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