hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Jul 30, 2013 22:18:12 GMT
I'm heading into the jungle that used to be my backyard... Mission: knock down the wetland growth, weeds, brambles, young trees, vines, etc. Using a variety of machetes.
Back story - the old property was kind of weird...house and yard at road level, but there is at least twice as much land at the bottom of a steep grade. Part of it gets pretty wet, so it was tough to mow; but I did my best to keep it under control until my knee got wrecked. After that, it was hard enough for me to get down there without worrying about a lawn mower or weed whacker...and then I had to worry about getting back up. As if that wasn't bad enough, I moved out of the place 3 yrs ago; so I'm figuring it has been at least 5 yrs since I've even set foot down there.
I already had a few machetes, and decided to buy three others - more to satisfy my curiosity, than out of need. Once the new ones come - I'm going to put a fresh edge on any that need it, take a "Before" picture, and start putting in some time reclaiming the place. Joining me will be my trusty Ontario 22", a Tramontina (I think 20"), an Imacasa 18", a Condor (I think 18"), a 17" Condor Parang. I decided to add an 18" Marble's, an 18" ColdSteel (Latin), and a ColdSteel Magnum Kukri (17"?). (The ColdSteel machetes were mostly so I could say I've at least tried them, since I've never been a CS fan & have grown somewhat prejudiced against the brand.)
I probably won't write the whole thing up, at least not as a full on comparison; but I'll definitely report back with some opinions.
Wish me luck!!
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 30, 2013 22:35:36 GMT
I'm curious to see how they all work out for you. I have been wanting a Marbles for some time now - Fallen was telling us before they are a great value- great cost to quality ratio overall. I kinda want a rack of machetes to have handy in case I have arm the neighbours come zombieland time- save the swords for family and use the machetes for any non-zed head looking for a blade
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Post by Timberwolf on Jul 30, 2013 22:39:55 GMT
Ah, cool! I just wanna see what you come up with, but as far as actual purchases, I'm already dead set on real Nepalese khukuris. No offense to Chris, but if I ever need shorter weapons for zombies of whatever persuasion, I want them to zap right through the offending critters. :lol: I figure a 2.75lb / 1250g bhojpure or sirupana will do the job. The thought of some SERIOUS weight behind the slice has a quality of its own ... :twisted: (Oh. At 17" and only a very anemic 18+ ozs, that CS thing isn't a kukri at all.) :roll: (Edit: YES, I realize a machete isn't a khukuri. OK? :lol: )
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Jul 30, 2013 22:47:49 GMT
You've all seem the matchetes I have, My go too machetes are either marble or Ontario GI 18in. I just like the marbles the beat because they come very sharp ready to go to work. None of the other I havecome with good edges. I'll interest to see what your results are
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Jul 30, 2013 23:04:13 GMT
I don't expect much from either of the CS blades, honestly; but I'm willing to be surprised. It just seems that there are lot of diehard CS fans, and part of me wants to try to understand WHY? I think I'll use them as the guinea pigs with my new belt sander. If it goes okay, I can save myself some filing As far as kukri - it's only recently that I've been developing an interest in that blade style. I'm sure I'll take the plunge when I've got some $$ burning a hole in my pocket sometime (in between other things that I want, lol.)
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Post by johnwalter on Jul 30, 2013 23:42:07 GMT
Im looking forward to this Harald. Ive been using the same$2 plastic handle machete from Harbor Freight for the past 4 years,lol
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hhmoore
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Sneaking around once in a while
Posts: 656
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Post by hhmoore on Jul 31, 2013 0:29:57 GMT
My 5 machetes were scattered between my old house, my mother's house, and the family's farm...it was just easier to buy a new one than to go back to where I'd left it (I used to buy new socks because I didn't feel like doing laundry for such a small load, too...but eventually I had enough socks to justify putting them in the washer.) I finally made the rounds and collected them all. Prior to that, I was semi-seriously considering heading down with a beater katana. I'd probably get seen by the neighbors, and have the police called - that's the main reason I canned the idea
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Post by Lord Cobol on Jul 31, 2013 1:36:14 GMT
"get seen by the neighbors, and have the police called" yep I can get cheap machetes from a store within walking distance of where I live, but I always drive because I don't want to walk home along a busy street with a machete in each hand Someday I might even summon the ambition to do a review. Perhaps your review will inspire me.
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Post by bigpete on Jul 31, 2013 8:02:03 GMT
Why the cold steel hate? Sure the owner is a bit of a tool,but I'm happy with every one of their products I own. Admittedly the machetes could be finished a bit better,but 15 minutes on a belt sander got my magnum kukri good enough to lop through 1 1/2" thick gum tree branches in one strike. I also just got a new model barong machete,haven't really had it long enough to form a certain opinion of it except that it is one solid almost axe like blade that I reckon will be sweet as once I get rid of the crappy bevel on it. Overall I really like their gear except for the price we have to pay in Oz,the local sports store has a SK 5 Gurkha Kukri for $550 which is bloody ridiculous!
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Post by bloodwraith on Jul 31, 2013 8:18:02 GMT
I will stick to my traditional machetes from valiant co, great price and amazing quality.
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Jul 31, 2013 12:14:42 GMT
It's just something that has grown over the years, starting when my focus was knives. I wouldn't call it hate, though; I'll stick with prejudice, since it is based on my own first impressions mixed (later) with the negativity of others. I say later because my dislike of their knives began before I'd heard or read anything - negative or positive - about their products. I never liked any of their knives enough to buy one, so I can't really judge their capabilities. I do have one CS product, and I like it; but it's a walking stick. I'm going to give the machetes a fair shake - if they perform well, I'll admit it.
I thought about heading over to the farm store, and grabbing something cheap locally, just to see how it performs against the "big names"; but then I'll be at 9...and tempted to get another to make it an even 10 :lol: (I won't say I'm obsessive/compulsive, but I have both obsessive and compulsive tendencies). Might still do it, if I find myself near there before I get started.
I took a look - nice stuff...but price + shipping to the states puts them out of usable machete range for me.
I'm a fan of Miller Bros stuff, and they've got a machete (or machete-like piece) - but I'd probably choke on the price tag.
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Post by johnwalter on Jul 31, 2013 15:47:39 GMT
Well if get there,a cheapo would be great to add to the mix.Im very happy with this $2 baby.I figured it would maybe last a week bfore the handle fell apart,lol.This along with my Munetoshi 1065th beater goes to the bamboo groves with me for the spots to tight to us a kat.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Jul 31, 2013 16:01:42 GMT
Only 9 machetes, I've got at least twice that many. Man up buy alot more, you have to catch up with me.
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Post by johnwalter on Jul 31, 2013 16:41:13 GMT
Harald said 9...and tempted to get another to make it an even 10 (I won't say I'm obsessive/compulsive, but I have both obsessive and compulsive tendencies).
Id go with 11.My numbers have to be odd or theres a whole cleansing ritual I have to do to make an even number ok,lol.
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hhmoore
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Sneaking around once in a while
Posts: 656
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Post by hhmoore on Jul 31, 2013 17:07:02 GMT
You guys are tough, lol. Can you see me getting stopped because I've got 10 (or 11) machetes sticking out of my backpack while heading over there on my bike? Might better make that trip in my truck...
I took a quick online tour - the Harbor Freight machete is up to $5, and it has a serrated spine. Everything else is 13-20. Most of the ones I found reviewed online were pretty bad; so my temptation is lessened.
What was the name of that TV show - that's right...Eight is Enough (yeah - dating myself with that reference)
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Post by johnwalter on Jul 31, 2013 17:24:32 GMT
Up to $4 bucks huh?They must realized its worth,hahaha.
BTW Harald,Eight is Enough,Tommy was the man!lol Yeah,Im old enough to remember it too buddy.
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Post by adamthedrummer on Jul 31, 2013 20:17:51 GMT
I recently employed a bear grylls machete for bushwhacking, what a beast, and only $40. :-)
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Post by johnwalter on Jul 31, 2013 20:50:21 GMT
Ive almost bought one on many occasions.Kept talking myself out of it for some reason.
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Jul 31, 2013 21:59:08 GMT
Same here. I don't doubt that I'll end up with one; just because I like the look of it...but, for this job, I don't want to drop that much blade length.
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hhmoore
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Post by hhmoore on Aug 13, 2013 20:55:53 GMT
Just a refresher - now that I've had a chance to do some side by side comparisons against a variety of "targets". The machetes I was working with: Ontario 22 inch heavy duty machete Tramontina 20 inch bush machete Imacasa 18 inch machete Condor 18 inch ElSalvador machete Condor 17 inch parang Marble's large workhorse machete (18") Cold Steel Magnum Kukri machete (17") Cold Steel 18 inch Latin machete
All lengths refer to the blade; all handles, except the Marble's and the Condor Parang, are plastic (under various names/descriptions). Most of these were previously in my possession, and used. The Condor parang was unused; the Marble's + the 2 ColdSteel machetes were new.
Sharpness (out of the box) The Ontario, Imacasa, and ColdSteel machetes were dull to the point of being utterly useless. The Tramontina had a fair edge - everything I'd read about it prior to purchase indicated that I would have to sharpen it before use...I have yet to do so. Condor & Marble's were reasonably sharp (tool sharp).
I used an Accusharp on the Ontario when I got it, and it has seen the most use (it was my first). To the best of my recollection, I have never resharpened it; and it still performed well against much of the stuff I've been cutting (it just knocks over the lightest stuff, rather than cutting it). Medium to thick stalked weeds are no problem, and I've used it on "weed trees" up to 4 inches. It remains one of my favorites.
The Tramontina has really impressed me - It has held up through a good amount of chopping, and still handles the vines and brambles better than most...without ever having been sharpened. Right up there with the Ontario, IMO It's lighter, so it doesn't chop the thick stuff as well (but, again, it's the factory edge that "needed sharpening"). Extra points for being less than half the cost of the Ontario, lol.
Condor parang - probably my least favorite for this type of work. It does some things okay, but it's not as efficient in my hands (ymmv)
Condor El Salvador + Marble's workhorse - These seemed fairly comparable, and were doing well for me...until I found myself faced with a 6-7" tree that I didn't want there. It wasn't an appropriate choice, but I tried; the tree is still there, lol. They did great against the 1-2 inch stuff I was cutting that day, and they do well on vines and brambles. I'll try them on some 3-4 inch stuff next time I go over. I believe both Condor and Marble's are divisions of Imacasa (Imacasa also makes Esee's lite machete, under the Condor flag).
That's my segway into Imacasa...I remember the initial edge as being pretty rough. I did some light filing on it, and put it to use - memory was that it performed adequately, so I was quite unprepared to find the edge flat, rolled, nicked, and just generally crap when I tried to use it. I don't remember doing anything that would have had that impact, so I'm guessing somebody beat the snot out of it before I reclaimed it. I had to drop to a very course grit to bring it back; then I used the old accusharp (I didn't feel like filing, at that point). This one hasn't been brought back out to the work zone, yet.
Cold Steel - I sharpened these with the belt sander; but (other than the 60 grit that came with the sander, which I used on the Imacasa) the lowest grit I had was 800, and they were pretty dull to be starting there. They came out okay, though, and I wasn't going for super sharp. The Magnum Kukri sucks at lighter stuff, and didn't fair well against brambles and vines unless they were somehow stabilized. Where it did the best was chopping weed trees...so I wandered around attacking all the ones around where I was working that day. These ranged from 1-4 inches. The Latin machete did better against the medium weight stuff - I'm going to better sharpen it, and do some more work before I make any judgement. (the edge took a few chips and rolls the day I had it out, which rather surprised me)
(I've got some pics, too, but not readily accessible)
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