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Post by Dr. Whom on Jan 5, 2012 20:02:44 GMT
What are the best brands?
I am looking for something with a mirror polish if possible although certainly not necessary
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Lunaman
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,974
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Post by Lunaman on Jan 5, 2012 20:17:14 GMT
I've owned a couple of Cold steel machetes and have no complaints. One of the few Cold Steel products I really adore.
Condor makes good machetes as well. Zombietools makes some solid machetes but they are much more expensive and the aesthetics aren't to everyone's tastes.
Mirror finishes aren't really the norm--you could snag a nice big kukri for that or a custom machete from Scorpion Swords & Knives with a mirror polish.
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jan 5, 2012 20:33:01 GMT
Depending on your budget, the survival golok has all ways gotten rave reviews www.valiantco.com/
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Post by GUEST on Jan 5, 2012 20:46:39 GMT
I own alot of machetes if you are wanting to get one just for a working tool Marble's and Ontario are great. The Marble's are the best bag for the buck. If you order through SMKW.com they come with a good heavy nylon sheath and sharpening stone for under $20.00. they are sharp and ready to start using. The Ontario's are heavier build but the edges do need a little work, also they won't come with a sheath they start out at around $22.00. Either one has a mirror finish the Marble's are bright orange, the Ontario's are parkized.
Under the other weapon's thread I have did reviews on several machetes 10 or more. Still have one cheap Harbor Frieght machete I haven't posted, it does have a polished balde and after the edge was fixed on a belt sander it does a good job.
I would go with the Ontario thicker blade and heaiver build.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2012 20:53:30 GMT
Tramontina is a Brazilian brand. I've owned a couple for over two decades. Good steel. At least they were back then. Steve
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Post by DavidW on Jan 5, 2012 20:57:44 GMT
As aforementioned, it's hard to find a mirror polish machete. Since a machete is designed for down and dirty work (chopping wood, brush clearing, etc) any kind of mirror polish would be scratched/dirtied/stained/blurred relatively fast. Cold Steel machetes are great value for the buck. I own their Kukri machete and katana machete, and both are extremely good choppers. They sharpen to paper cutting sharp quite easily too, with just a few passes from an AccuSharp. My personal favorite is the Kabar Kukri machete. It comes paper and skin cutting sharp, is thicker than the CS kukri machete, has a false edge along the back, has a great heavy duty leather/nylon sheath, and the grip is extremely ergonomic and comfortable. The thicker blade and greater weight makes it a better chopper than the CS kukri machete as well.
If you really want a mirror polish machete, you can check out thekhukurihouse.com for some classy looking blades that are still fully functional and come quite sharp. However, you'll have to spend somewhere around $80-$100 due to the shipping rates.
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Post by Rain on Jan 6, 2012 0:27:24 GMT
Picked up a few nice Machete's from Machetespecialists.com Also picked up a made in the U.S.A. Beast of a Machete from Traditinalwoodworker.com
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Post by Dr. Whom on Jan 6, 2012 3:24:55 GMT
Thanks guys
I am really loving those kukris from Nepal and so many to choose from
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Post by DavidW on Jan 6, 2012 10:00:36 GMT
I got the 15" sirupate. Nice long blade, yet quite hefty and has a big presence if you know what I mean. Very beautiful and classy looking, excellent craftsmanship all around. Came paper cutting sharp except for the last three inches, edge was a bit rough there. You can't go wrong with this one. It's only $63 so with shipping it should only cost ~$100.
Oh yeah, and they offer free engravings up to 50 characters.
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Hairu
Member
Posts: 1,294
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Post by Hairu on Jan 19, 2012 14:04:56 GMT
If you want shiny mirror polish get a kukri if you just want a really solid machete for workhorsing I really recomend anything from condor I have theyre golok and theyre parang and they are serious choppers (though not as serious as a kukri but I dont have to polish them extensively after clearing a bush so theres pros and cons
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