I review multiple machetes. Ontario, cold steel, Gerber, Tramontina, and Marbles. I am an amazon affiliate , Shopping through my link doesn't cost you a thing, but I get a small fee when you do. Thanks! amzn.to/2VKQjIV
Great review on the different machetes on the market, and cost per machetes! Thank you Brad. You ,& your wife keep the property looking great, love you both for all you do together!
Alirio Lopez I can see where longer and flexible would be a benefit when using it in grass. The heavier ones, like the ones I need, are to heavy to swing fast enough to cut grass.
I'm so glad someone pointed this out because I was about to. he thinks of them as lower quality because they're flexible but there are specific uses for those types. it's lighter as well.
Yeah....ppl don't know the difference between design and uses. There is one brush clearing one called a "Cuma". It has a hook like a sickle, very effective for clearing.
Try the marbles machete if you want length. Bolos are shorter by design than a latin machete, this I learned from Machete Bushcraft Australia. Use a lanyard on your handle to keep it from flying out of your grip. Also, use a "pinch grip" so your hand does not get exhausted too quickly. Check out the video " All about Machetes with Joe Flowers". I enjoyed the video, thanks!
Glad you found something that worked for you, but my experience is a bit different. I've swung a machete for about 35 years, as a land surveyor. Corneta, Traventina, Barteaux, Ontario all make quality blades, have tried everything over the years, from cheap to expensive, and today all I use is Cold Steel. I have a Chopper, if I have to drop a 18" pine tree is the tool for the job, thick, heavy blade, lots of weight on the end, and will get the job done easier than going back to the truck and hauling a chainsaw a quarter mile down a cut line. My blade of choice is the 24" Brazilian, with the double hand extended handle. It gets used for 95% of cutting I do. It is flexible, but the trick is a sharp edge, have always used a mil bastard file and while I do not go for a razor edge (too thin) go for a good utility bevel that will hold a good edge and most importantly, cut straight. You are exactly right about power and length of the blade, longer is better and faster is better, for most cutting. It hurt my heart to see you rejected both the longest and the best quality steel (and yes, they do suck dead whales as far as factory edge, takes a while with a file to get the bevel right) and as you found the heaviest, thickest blade worked better for you, know you worked your ass off clearing that land. I'm too damned old, pushing 60 now, to work that hard.
This was just my personal experience and I was sharing what I had learned. I was also limited in my choices of machetes simply because when the clearing job was done, I’d be stuck with even more blades than I’d know what to do with. I was 58 when I cleared the land. It was almost more than I could do. It’s a gorgeous piece of land now though.
ever try a woodsman pal? they are short, but great steel, and a vine hook at the end really makes it good for vines. we do a lot of trial clearing stuff , and its a good worker in my opinion. the price is premium, but if he thought the gerber was an "axe" even i was shocked by what i could cut with it.
Being aware of your surroundings and the fact that your thighs exist is great advice for newbies. I'm glad you said that and I hope viewers see it. Some of these longer machetes are practically full-length cutlasses. I've also become a fan of using a fairly tight wrist lanyard-not because I'm scared of it flying out of my hand (which does happen when you're younger while you figure out how to grip a thing) but because it helps stabilize the swing. It's akin to steering the swing with 2 hands because it aligns the pommel with your wrist. If you're alone and clear of potential collateral damage it might be better the thing flies out of your hand, though. On a wrist lanyard it might twist around and bite you.
Good Review. I have used a cheap, Chinese made machete for years. My current one is a Corona professional. It does not bend much, is 18," and functions ok. Recently, I bought a 13" K-Bar Parangatang at $79. and it is awesome. It has a thick spine with plenty of weight and strength. The 1095 steel can be sharpened to cut newspaper, while still maintaining strength and no chipping (so far). I used a file first, then a grinding stone, next a 500 grit whetstone, and finally a honing steel. The blade comes quite sharp, but I prefer sharpening it even more. I used athletic tape on the handle, and it works well to keep from slipping my grip when my hand gets sweaty. The Parangatang cuts through limbs so well, I have to keep my feet spread for when the blade slices through. Like the Gerber you mentioned, the added weight and sharp steel, will slice through so much faster than the thin Chinese blade. So be careful indeed. Your point about stopping when one is too tired is correct too. I have learned it the hard way with machete and chain saw. The disadvantage is the shortness of the blade. Although this is not an issue for cutting limbs on downed trunks, it would be an issue for reaching upwards. Also the price is higher than Chinese. However, the K-bar is American made, you get what you pay for here, and I am glad to know I did not support the Communist Chinese. Keep the videos coming.
I learned more than I thought there was to know about them too! I had no idea that there were so many different styles and designs. Each style has a distinct purpose.
BCtruck, BC Blades I learned that you payed for a gerber 30 bucks, while in my country is 60euros (basicaly double the price). Cold steel costs 30euros here... not sure if I wanna spend my money on CS after this review....?
I had a tramontina bolo for years and gave it to a friend, I just ordered one from eBay $16.71 shipping included, best machete ive ever used, great for my bushcrafting needs, just cant go wrong
I've had a Gerber machete for a few years and really enjoy it. Mine is the full length non-bolo. I'll have to buy the Bolo version to give mine a friend.
I have the Tramontina Bolo and find it basically perfect. It has enormous versatility. The only flaw was the right angle on the rear of the handle that I had to round off as it was tearing up my hand. The way I swing a machete means I could not use rubber and I need a smooth rounded handle. Now it's modified the Bolo is great. Tbf on the cheap machetes, there is a place for very flexible blades, you should look at the Acapulqueño design for instance.
The tramontina handle was way to small for my hands and the flexibility of the blade was counter productive to cutting larger trees and brush. The gator bolo is the best machete I’ve ever used. It comes with a piss poor edge though,and it took a ton of work to get it sharp.
@@bctruck taking a long time to sharpen should mean it takes a long time to get full though. I guess it's sensible to always wear gloves with a machete as you inevitably get cut and stung hands when doing that kind of task anyway, but for me, all my tools need smooth handles to allow my hands to move correctly
Definitely some solid info here, but a flexible blade isn’t always a bad thing. It simple comes down to what you plan on using the machete for. Joe flowers is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to machetes, I suggest checking him out if you’re interested in the different styles techniques etc.
It very much depends on the job at hand. The flex is very important when swinging low. I use 3 different kinds every day. I recommend corona for general use
Thanks uncle buck! The thermos is now being sold to the us military. Its called a flask,hydration,all weather,OD in color. one each, and its going for 300 bucks.
try Plati dipping the handle. One more machete to try is the Ontario GI I have used several coldsteel and Trimotinas of different blade shapes and i have settled on that GI. Also add a 550 cord lanyard so it dosent go flying
I bought a 12 dollar 18 inch Corana machete,,,, never sharpened it,,,,,cut 50,,, 35 to 45 ft trees with 4 to six inch diameter base,,, and used it strip off all the branches for teepee poles...then used it to debark well over a ton of 8 inch thick 4 ft cedar logs for fire wood...haven't sharpened it yet,,, since I've never hit the ground it has 0 nicks or roles,,, albeit it is a bit bent,,, but considering what it's been through it's remarkable,,, it still does it's job.:-):-):-):-) in Brazil I watched a man de husk a coco nut down to the meat center without piercing it and loosing any juices,,,, it's all about the skills,,, avoid cheapies especially those without a full tang,,,, and ps I have never ,, never flung my blade out of my hands but I do have forearms like popey.:-) PS... I have yet to see Western men use these with any real proficiency,,, those skill sets are in the third world,,, I haven't seen any American men out in the video world as good as me... that's not saying much.
Nothing wrong with tramontina. They all have things they will work best for. For what I was doing at the time, the gerber gator bolo was the best tool. Im not happy with that handle either because as soon as your hands sweat, the rubber wants to slide out of your hands.
Idea I use a lanyard. I put my thumb threw it over the back of my hand,then hold the handle. THIS allows me to have a loose grip. No more shock to your wrist.Thank you for your time.
The Cold Steel machete that you have is the old style, only 2 mil thick. Their new ones are 2.8 mil thick and are stiffer with better quality control on the edge grind.
BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose Uh, huh..... sure it is....... I've been pushed out enough times to realize "I was here first" has no meaning to dogs......
That heavy Gerber has a lanyard hole. Take some paracord, make a loop so it fits loose around your wrist. Then twirl the blade until the cord starts to hurt, then back off two twirls. The cord will take some of the work off your grip and the blade won't fly away and kill somebody.
Say Heah,, Yup, It all depebds what your cutting, A fella in Hawaii or a Southern Hemisphere Country might say a thinnee blade is best because he might be swinging it more. But in my state, hard wood so I like atleast a. .188" thickness, I can baton it and chop with it as well as clear a path in a reasonable size around 14"+. For instance I like a Pararabgatang by Johnson Adventure, But my Fav. is my Rodent Rucki it's hand's down my Fav. Where a Tropic's machete you may want to go thinner. I usually look where or what Country a Machete is made. I live next d'or to Pennsylvania in Ohio, and there a nice machete made there for our type of wood, It's the Woodsman Pal which I have the Premier, But sometimes I wish I got alittle linger handle which they have and it's cheaper. But no big regrets because it work's good in our Wood's abd also used by the Military. My Rodent Rucki is made in Ohio, yeah their thinking is a machete for our type of Wood's, Where Tramintina, Imacasa, Cindor are Southern Hemisphere Countries., Also my Parangatang made in N. Y. geet the picture. Anyhow this is my 00.02 worth, Thanx You fir sharing. ,, .
Tramontina is the best machete in the world: cheap as hell, sturdy, will last forever even if you dump it on the bottom of a river and really easy to make sharp, simply the best (my opinion might be biased because i'm from the same country, region and state as tramontina and i am very proud of it)
Say Heah Brad, Yup recently I bought a Battle Horse Mad Hatter Machete. I had them modified like what Colhane does to his machetes. (Tramontina). So a $80.00 Machete ended up costing me $214.00 but well worth it. It's now personal. Oh, I also had a White G-10 Handle with Blue Liners made to match my Modified Attitude a Beautiful Combo. But I still love my Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Parangatang Infact I recently put a black handle on it and it l@@ks terrific now. But my all time Fav is still my Rucki. I know what you mean by longer machetes. I use my Vintage Blackie Collins Heavy Duty Machete with a D-Ring Handle. It's a 22" 1095 blade. I finally got a Leather Sheath for it. I also still use my military issues O. K. C Machete I love it. But in the Summer a long knife is necessary where I go because of the brambles. So I also have a Woodsman Pal Premium Machete but I really love my Bark River Golok. Yeah, I baton, chop and everything with it. It's just a good one. It's a short one. But most of the time I'm in close quarters bush whacking. I enjoyed you again.,,. p
I never knew you was a swinger now we know how you dropped all the poundage you literally work your ass off and how dare you mistreat those animals great Channel my friend I used my notes on a regular basis still has a wonderful age
Good review & tips, I've been finding I need one of these around here while mowing. The growth just keeps coming back and finding it's way into my path. I saw one of those Ozark trail units at the nearby store and was thinking about it. I appreciate you and this video, now I know which way to go... Gerber Baby, YayaH ! Thanks Brad !... Take care
Hello, I would like to know who in your opinion is the best machetes on the market day, today. I'm looking for a machete that is good in the use of the machete but it can also be useful for breaking wood for the fire and quite heavy work, where do you recommend?
Any of the ElSalvador or Brazilian made ones are good and cheap. Imacasa or Trimontina. Marbles is made by Trimontina, I think. Condor makes a good heavy style, but not cheap.
I used the cheap china one you showed for years because I didn't know better, but this afternoon I had to clean one of my trails and I decided I had enough of that cheap crap that keeps bending. What I mostly do is cleaning trails so I cut everything from small vines to small trees. What would you recommend for that? I don't mind paying a lot if it means I get something that will last me for years.
Question regarding sharpening. In kitchen knives I sharpen the blade going in 1 direction but in watching you do the machete, you went back and forth. Is that the normal way to sharpen or did you do that way because of the nicks that you were trying to get out?
There are some who claim that going in one direction is best,but Ive sharpened literally, many hundreds of knives,hundreds of drill bits,axes,chisels. I consider myself to be highly skilled in only a few things,and sharpening knives is one of them. Ive tried going in one direction and the only difference that I can see,is that it takes twice as long to sharpen. Just as long as you maintain the same angle going forward and backward,youll be fine. I think those that claim one direction is best,do so because it is extremely hard to maintain the same angle going in both directions. However,like anything,practice makes perfect.
BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose Thanks Brad, I really appreciate your answer!! ~~Now work on getting each dog their own chair before someone calls in to report the inhumane treatment at nap time. HA
I probably shouldnt show the horrific living conditions those poor dogs have to endure. I feed the littlest one baked chicken because she has stomach problems. well,,,,, I ran out of chicken and she had to eat dog food. DOG FOOD!!! The horror!
My tramontina looks nothing like that. It looks like a pirate's cutlass, with the blade gaining width ( and weight) towards the tip, which is curved upwards. The edge begins a continual curve about 2/3 from the tip. I bought it at Lowes for a what-I-don't-remember. It was cheap. Hardly any worthwhile edge, but I'm good at that. It slices paper now. Machetes are generally a cheap and common working man's tool and generally have poor steel for the blades. Simple 1/8 inch plate steel is all that is required for most jobs that a machete will be used for. They're pretty much the same steel as a power mower blade. Very soft, but are easy to re-sharpen, which is required often. I keep mine on one side of my canoe pack, with a medium axe on the other side.
i don't know..... that one dog in the middle near the end of the video.... looks suspiciously guilty. i think he was the one that kept turning off your camera! :) great video. learned a lot thanks for sharing!
Yarndi Man honestly,,, I think so much of this machete that I would pay that for it. Since this video I've used it tons more and I'm even further convinced that it's the best on made. You do have to put a good working edge on it though,but that's true with all of them.
Im not sure but it takes an edge very fast,which is not good,because that means it loses it just as fast through use. I would think it would be a very low carbon steel.
Is that Gerber stainless steel? Wouldn’t be surprised to see a rash of videos popping up with the blade shattering. I’d be happy with the marble, tramontina, or cold steel. I appreciate a spring steel retaining its springiness in a machete.
As far as that Walmart Ozark trail Parang you got there I actaully bought one of those as my first machete and I agree with you that machete is a piece garbage and was the worst machete I ever bought (but you get what you pay for I suppose)As far as the Walmart Ozark trail Parang having the worst edge I think a better way to describe it is that it doesn't even have any edge and that its preaty much just a blunt piece of steel rather than being a machete.as for the steel goes I looked up that machete and figured out it's made from galvinised steel.(well technically I never tested the Ozark trail Parang but by examing the edge of the blade I could tell it was preaty much a piece of junk and I decided that it wasn't even worth the effort trying to test that thing out.)
Nice video, but in my little experience I’ve learn no one do all machetes. Different machetes for different tacks. A tool the right tool for the right job. I myself love Cold Steal products and they have never let me down.
I cleared two acres of trees, brush, bushes and thick vines using the gerber. I based my review on my own experience, not opinions. If you have one you like and it works for you, great.
+BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose Am I missing something? I thought you had a 10% off coupon in your hand for tractor Supply. I only buy my chicken feed there and buy enough to last until the next 10% coupon. Greg in Michigan
Yep, calling PETA to report you tomorrow morning. Your dogs actually had to lay IN BODY CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER on a comfy chair in a shaded temperature-controlled room. What abuse! Okay, being serious....thanks for the machete review. I own a cheapie POS but it works okay for what I need. But it is good to know what I'll be replacing it with. Thanks!
Luckily, Bubba....my 24 pound mini-cougar housecat....will be overseeing the investigation. I know he'll give you a fair shake. His office will be in touch soon....well, after snacktime....and breakfast time...and mid morning nap time...and lunchtime...and afternoon naptime. Well, okay---eventually.
Hmm I think that you need some more testing. So I'll volunteer my property that's not to far away form you. It' sin East TX & around 5 acres. You could clear some of it to make sure that you're really sure about your testing...LOL Of course these would make great defensive tools for that Butter monster.....LOL
Normally i would be right over but,,,,its my bursitis man! Butter monster struck again today. I made brussels sprouts with a rediculous amount of onions and country boy jalopeno sausage in with them. Im starting to really like the butter monster.
BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose You know I would give you a 5 spot for gas & buy you lunch ....LOL Well maybe we could give that Butter monster a pass. This time...LOL
I actually went out shopping to buy a new machete that was better than my Old ozark trail parang (which they are preaty much just cheap crappy pieces of garbage)and I bought a JM 21 jungle master machete.it was made in China and even though I think a bolo style machete would have been a better then the JM 21 Jungle Master.The JM 21 Jungle master has a preaty sharp stiff blade however like I said I think a bolo would have been better JM 21is still a functional machete and is still much better than my Ozark Trail parang.one problem which has nothing to do with the blade is the fact it has a crudely built paracord wrapped handle that has two thin pieces of plywood to bulk it up which are held there by electrical tape and while I was using it the paracord came loose which for me is not really much of a problem because I just rewrapped it in a way that more secure than it was wrapped when i bought it plus I could just buy new paracord to wrap it with if I either wanted to or had to and I would rather have to either rewrap or replace the paracord on the handle than having to attempt to put a sharp edge on something that doesn't even have an edge in the first place.The blade configuration resembles a large long over sized bowie knife which even though it's not the kind of configuration that I think is best for a machete however it's functional and it still works.
That’s right some flex is needed, but to much flex is worse than not enough. The momentum of swinging the machete gets lots in the flex when cutting larger things like little trees and bushes or thick vines.
Wow! Out of 59000 people that have viewed this video,you are the first person to not only mention that I got a couple of words backwards, but also confused by it. You are special there Robb.
The cold steel is supposed to flex a lot, it make it a better clearing machete. You Americans like to chop stuff up too much. If you are clearing a lot of field, especially when you need to cut the grass very short, you need a long and flexible machete, so you don't have it bend your back too much and also brush you knuckle.
Well this American was clearing land of vines, brush and small trees. The cold steel was to flexible for that. I wasn’t using it on grass. I was clearing land.
