So I need to pick up a few new machetes for clearing central TX brush. The others that we have used were cheap POS Chinese blades that were too light and chipped over time.

What blades do you guys use?

I don't need anything with a saw on the back (carry a saw in the Mule) and don't need something to survive the zombie apocalypse. Just need a good full tang machete for cutting vines and brush and small mesquites.

watchlisted

Years ago I got one from an army surplus store. it was awesome!!!
had a good "thick" blade back so it didn't bend/flop around like many of the others.
came with a sheath that had a "sharpener" you could flip up, but it didn't do too much.
sadly I let some people borrow it and it never came back.

No recommendations other than one to avoid- I was recently disappointed purchasing a Gerber brand machete. Not very sharp to begin with and did not hold its edge. Was clearing relatively thin/soft bamboo prior to treating the stumps with Tordon.

I have a Condor Golok, it's been absolutely great in the woods for cut.

https://www.amazon.com/Condor-14-Inch-Machete-Leather-Sheath/dp/B004WMFNRW


Here it is with my Husqvarna multi purpose axe, it's about the size of your normal boys axe. Just a tad bigger.

Was just going to recommend the condor. I have the pack golok and have been very pleased with it.

TRAMONTINA Machetes are great work machetes for a good price. They aren't glorified zombie killers or high dollar knives. Just good work machetes from "Brasil".

RBG63 said:

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TRAMONTINA Machetes are great work machetes for a good price. They aren't glorified zombie killers or high dollar knives. Just good work machetes from "Brasil".

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This times 10000! Tramontina is the way to go. Fantastic value.

Cold steel Gladius
Army surplus

Another vote for army surplus store. Thick blade that doesn't bend. I think it is marked "Ontario"

Tramontilla. Think coop had them at one point.
Many surveyors use them.

Use a Woodsman's Pal and you'll never use a machete again

FIDO 96 said:

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Use a Woodsman's Pal and you'll never use a machete again

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came here to post this

https://www.protoolindustries.net

Woodsmans pal.

I have a Cold Steel Panga I like quite a bit

I have the Tramontina as well. It almost cut my leg off when it slipped out of my hand. Ok. Not really, but it did take a chunk out of my leg. Now cutting through my skinny leg does not necessarily speak to the integrity of the blade...but I like it.

Ontario Knife Co.
American made
They Have been making machetes for the US govt for a long time.
Got mine in Amazon for about $25

I got a khukuri back a few years ago from Khukuri house. Works great and looks great

Moore Maker makes a good tool.

http://www.mooremaker.com/store/p43/%2301_-_MOORE_MAKER_MACHETE_-_18%22.html

I have the shorter Ontario machete and it is a well made tool that will last. Its good for clearing light brush and vines, and will hold an edge reasonably well. No flex in the blade. Also got this one: https://www.amazon.com/Ka-Bar-2-1249-9-Kukri/dp/B001H53Q8A
Its a bad motorscooter when you have serious brush to cut, i.e. 3-4" trees, big vines, or bamboo. Its a beast.

That sounds right

I like a machete with a sharpener built into the sheath. Got a few schrades from Academy that come with the sheath sharpener but their metal is either incredibly soft or too thin. Luckily I bought a few of them and well machetes are cheap blades meant for hacking

To me, the hand grip is easily as important as the blade. It needs to be solid and comfortable and protective. You don't want blisters and you do want a good grip that holds the blade at the right angle.

Terk,

You've been given some good advice here in the OB.

A Tramontina in the hands of a guy who knows what he's doing is a sight to behold.

In my mere mortal hands, it's still pretty damn good. The blood blisters on my hands remind me that I used mine just last week.

Take the time to keep it sharp, though. You'll be rewarded.

I have Condors, Woodsmans pal, etc.

I ALWAYS use the Tramontinas. Everytime. Take an edge in seconds, light = blade speed = cut brush.

Interesting to see Tramontina mentioned so many times, I'll probably pick one up before next fall but doubt it'll replace my Condor but we'll see.

I personally don't like cold steel, they always seem gimmicky and low quality when people bring them into the woods.

You can buy 6 or so Tramontinas for the price of one condor. I keep extras at the shop, one on my 4 Wheeler, 2 in the truck, etc. they also make great gifts.

I have bought several over the years for home and work. However, favorite is an old Tramontina I found sticking in the ground beside a drainage channel. It was rusted and obviously there a while. I took it home and cleaned it up. Best machete I've used.

Anybody used the kukri shaped blades? Seem awfully gimmicky

I'm sure they're good blades and perform past their price but I really like the handle of my Condor, that's the main reason I bought it. The first Sunday I had it I cleared brush for about 6 or 7 hrs with absolutely no fatigue or soreness in my hand.

Mine from army surplus store is still holding up after appx 15 yrs

My dad is a blacksmith and he made me this one for Christmas...

I thought the same thing as being low quality/gimmicky stuff you see hanging at Academy. My cousin managed a sponsorship from them and they told him that he and close family could have one of any 20 items on the website, he just had to post on insta pics of us using them. So we got a pile of stuff from them and have used it all at the ranch quite a bit and it's all held up well. The boar spears are sharp as hell and have stated that way, even through some misguided use as javelins.

BCO07 said:

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Anybody used the kukri shaped blades? Seem awfully gimmicky

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I used one years ago and always liked it for it's greater weight in the blade and the blade angle. But that may be a personal preference based on swing style, height and what I was cutting.

The angle allows for better transfer of force at times where a straight blade would not be making contact at a 90 degree angle - much the same reason a some mallets have raked face. It is also used with more of a chopping motion than slashing.

This may not matter depending on the work being done. The design of the kukri is centuries old and there are other similar blades.