Help Picking a Machete - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BrierS · #1 11-26-2006, 07:23 PM

I need help in selecting a machete for one of my sons. He had put it on his Christmas list and I have no idea where to start. It is an item he probably wouldn't expect me to purchase however, I have started shopping for some of their odd items. He is 27, serious hiker, mountain biker, off-road Land Cruiser owner and camper. As I understand it, when they go off-road there are times he has needed a machete and also on some of their camping excursions. I found there is quite an array of them. One that caught my eye is Woodman's Pal Premium Plus Machete with Cordura Sheath & Honing Stone Price: $84.99

Any help and guidance would be appreciated.
Steve

TheDon · #2 11-26-2006, 07:33 PM

for a second i thought by son you ment ya know a small child or someone under 18.... (well my uncle did buy me a shotgun for my 11th birthday.. ex marine. what ya expect)

mwood · #3 11-26-2006, 07:56 PM

A buddy of mine carries a large pair of pruning shears for off road use to cut back overhanging branches. Just a thought.

WVOtoGO · #4 11-26-2006, 08:03 PM

Go to Coldsteel.com
We’ve purchased a number of machetes from them and have never had a problem with any of them.
Sure, there are finer machetes at higher prices to be found. But if you plan on really using the thing and beating the crap out of stuff with it, then tossing into the back of the FJ40 - why spend a fortune. A good all around machete can be had for around $25.00.
I do recommend either a Panga or a Bolo model. Having that extra weight up at the end of the blade makes for smooth and much easier cutting through heavy brush.

And for true off-roading. mwood is right on. A pair of shears and a pruning saw are a must. Put a little kit with all three together for him and he'll really be surprised! That can be done for well under the price you found so far.

WVOtoGO · #5 11-26-2006, 08:15 PM

If he’s going to do much work with it. Especially around other people. Put a leash on it. That’s what the hole in the handle is there for. The last thing you want to do is have it come flying out of his hand.

A simple wrist strap/leash is all that’s needed to prevent a real mess. A good fitting leash can help prevent grip fatigue as well by making it easy to flex your hand and stretch your fingers.

If you or he is handy with 1/4” cord, you can make/braid your own. I made a couple out of old bow triggers (gotta love that Velcro) and nylon cord. Work great. Wouldn’t swing without one.

Hatterasguy · #6 11-26-2006, 08:16 PM

The bigger the better.

One never wants to come up short when comparing size...

Botnst · #7 11-26-2006, 08:27 PM

Machete Legitimus Collins & Co, Guatemala. Dunno if they're still in business but when I was cutting survey line (30 years ago) that was the best.

Machete and Blue Cross.

They go together.

B

PS A large machete is less work because it's weight carries it through stuff with less ricochet from unseen vines and limbs--how most people get cut. If you have serious brush work, get a Kaiser Blade, too.

Ara T. · #8 11-26-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The bigger the better.

One never wants to come up short when comparing size...

Take Hattie's advice, he knows all about this stuff

BrierS · #9 11-26-2006, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the advice (and the humor). Both are appreciated!!
As to putting a leash on it, excellent idea. In fact, below is the one I originally mentioned and I thought the design was quite good/safe.
http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-39679.html

I will check out the two suggested Coldsteel.com models as well as, more for curiosity, Machete Legitimus Collins & Co.

Making a combo set up for him makes sense (actually, when he bought the Land Cruiser for off-roading I thought he was nuts).
Thanks,
Steve

Botnst · #10 11-26-2006, 08:46 PM

More than almost anybody ever wanted to know about machetes.

http://therionarms.com/articles/cutacha/

B

John Doe · #11 11-26-2006, 08:57 PM

We just got a Cat T250 (X-mas + birthday) with a brushcutter on the front that will handle up to 4" trees. It was delivered on Wednesday, and I buried my Jeep in a creek on Friday, and pulled it out on the first try after several attempts with a Chev. Avalanche and a Z71 Silverado (tandem). I highly recommend this vehicle for any serious offroader

BrierS · #12 11-26-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

More than almost anybody ever wanted to know about machetes.

http://therionarms.com/articles/cutacha/

B

Interesting reading and liked the photos at the end. I never would have guessed that some designs of what have also been referred to as machetes would dull quickly on bamboo.

MikeTangas · #13 11-27-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

If you have serious brush work, get a Kaiser Blade, too.

hmmm mmmh, some folks call it a sling blade.

Botnst · #14 11-27-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeTangas

hmmm mmmh, some folks call it a sling blade.

Oh yeah.

Get the one with a stiff blade. The longer one that vibrates wont bite as deeply and tends to get free and go whirly-gigging through the brush in unplanned trajectories. It's really exciting.

B

Monomer · #15 11-27-2006, 07:29 PM

Mmmmmm

french fried potaters