Talk to me about Machetes

[wolverinehusky]

No, I'm not looking to pick up a machete so I can put on the hockey goalie mask and hunt down teenage virgins.

I have an empty lot next to me and the blackberry bushes are becoming a problem. Contemplated getting some goats or attacking with a gas/battery tool, but now just thinking I want to have some fun and attack with a machete. Should be some good stress relief.

Did a search on the forum and didn't see a topic title with machetes. So decided to start to ask here.

So what is a top tier machete out there for my job? Any american made blades out there? Want something that I can use frequently to hold the brush back.

If it helps for the zombie apocalypse, that's cool too. Thanks in advance.

The soon to be departed bushes: (excuse my ratty yard - that patch of bad grass coming out soon to be replaced with river rock)

 

[CJM8515]

Cold steel, well worth the coin

 

[Gummi Bear]

KaBar Kukri


Ka-Bar Combat Kukri Knife https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007U5ZNOG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It’s a bit mor expensive than the cheapies, but works like a champ.

I’m forever trimming trees and brush at the Farm.

It’s seen a lot of use over the last several years, and holds an edge pretty well.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[Dave455]

There’s a great variety of these tools out there - Machete’s, Parang’s, Golok’s or even the traditional British Bill Hook. I don’t think the exact type matters, but a traditional pattern from a country with a lot of jungle or woodland is probably a good start!

The only thing I’ve found with these various “weed wackers” is that the quality of the steel, and how well it’s ground, are everything.

None of the commercially manufactured ones seem to be much good, it seems to take an age to get any sort of edge, and they don’t hold it.

The two best I’ve used are a Golok that an army friend had made for jungle use (nothing exotic, a local smith forged it from a car spring) and an old bill hook that’s belonged to my grandfather, and probably had similar origins!

Were I to need another, and couldn’t get a decent used one inexpensively, I’d probably take the traditional route have one forged locally.

If you want to clear somewhere thoroughly, and for minimum effort, the local strategy is to put a couple of sheep in first, who eat the grass. Follow up with a couple of goat’s, who eat any old **** (including weeds, nettles etc). Then finish off with a couple of pigs who grub out the roots!

 

[ex-x-fire]

Old Hickory makes a long butcher knife that is basically a machete. Me, I have a couple different ones, the best one was made in the Philippines out of a jeep leaf spring. Made at village level manufacturing in the 1950s.

 

[JR 42]

For US factory made, I think Ontario is the only option these days... Barteaux went out of business a while back. Ontario makes a few different lengths, with d- guard handles as an option on most. I thought they made two different thicknesses, but it looks like all their machetes are made from 1/8" stock, which makes for a heavy blade to swing for hours.


Pretty much any machete made in South America will be good in my experience, but bear in mind a cheap machete will need some work on the edge and handle. You can get nicely finished machetes from TOPS, ESEE, and others, with South American made blades, nicely finished handles, and maybe a sheath, but they're much more expensive. Condor is kind of a middle ground between the cheap stuff and the pricey bushcraft fad stuff.

Machete Specialists is a great site to peruse to get an idea of what's out there.

If you find something you like at Baryonyx Knife Company, Ben will thin and sharpen the edge for an additional $10 or so.

I like an 18" Latin pattern for blackberry work myself.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Fiskars makes a brush clearing hook blade for that use. It should be growing pretty good this wet year.

The French had a machete design was considered the best.

 

[JR 42]

I reread the op, IMO top tier for a non- custom machete would be something like one of these-

https://eseeknives.com/product/darien-machete

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UY5YLHE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://ontarioknife.com/collection...ucts/bushcraft-machete?variant=32448800915542

This KaBar's a little short IMO
https://www.kabar.com/products/product.jsp?item=5603

https://www.topsknives.com/machete-230

 

[Lassen Forge]

Picked up a handmade long billhook from a guy who makes them when we were in Italy, best gardening investment ever. They use them to take out Ginestra (aka scotch broom) at the root, and I found they also work good on berryvine...

 

[4xdog]

I have a WW2 US Navy surplus machete. US-made, of course, by Collins. Got it for about three bucks in the late 1960s as a kid from one of the army-navy surplus stores near my hometown.

As a kid I used to try to put an edge on it so I could try cutting brush in the Southeastern Ohio woods where we used to play.

What a pain! A WW2 Pacific-theater vet told me one time what backbreaking work it was. I believe him.

I'm very happy with my DeWalt DCHT820B 20V hedge trimmer. The machete is only a collectible now.

 

[Tallpilot]

https://www.woodmanspal.com/

 

[WittHay]

For blackberries, chainsaw and loppers.

I have seen Mexican farm workers uses machetes on blackberries and the machetes were quite long over 2 feet. Spanish speaking friends say were were made in El Salvador and Costa Rica

Quick google search showed this Imacasa made in El Salvador with a German connection available from Amazon

 

[Fedwrench]

Ontario was/is the manufacturer of choice for GI Joe machetes.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON18/ontario-military-jungle-machete-18-inch-blade

Sheath:
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON18POD/hard-plastic-sheath-for-18-inch-ontario-machete-od-green

The 12 inch long blade is a little easier to wield.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/ON...-cutlass-camp-and-trail-machete-12-inch-blade

Let us not forget the classic Woodsman Pal for the ultimate in brush management
https://www.woodmanspal.com/

 

[driftpin]

Two places I'd consider getting some expert advice:

California Division of Forestry firefighters

Jamaican workers on H2-A agricultural work visas around Lake Okeechobee harvesting sugar cane for US Sugar. Those guys wear shin guards like baseball catchers or maybe cricket players.

I like the appearance of the Woodsman's Pal, it looks 'the-business.' For $175, you better-be ready to put it to-work. Then-again I think there are few things more-dangerous than a poorly-designed, poorly-constructed cutting implement.

 

[wolverinehusky]

Thanks for the great feedback. Very helpful.

Some bushes are about to die *evil cackle*


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[WittHay]

I think anybody living on the West Coast knows what blackberrys are but for others but its not like harvesting crops or clearing out jungle brush.

The stems can be over a inch thick covered with thorns going at a angle. Have seen them grow as high as telephone wires.

You can wear out a Carhartt coat or thick leather gloves in a day or two handling or clearing lots of blackberrys.

 

[wayne55]

Bush axe.

 

[JR 42]

And they grow thick! The 1" green cane cuts easily with a thin long blade... but if there is several years of unchecked growth or spraying without clearing there will be hard dead cane undergrowth- that thin blade will need to be sharp, or you can bludgeon them with a thicker heavier tool and get tired faster.

I like long- handled loppers for dealing with a lot of dead canes.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Once you get the vines chopped, then you have to pull all the roots, any little piece will grow another vine, almost over night.

My choice would be Stihl , they make a metal bladed weedeater.

 

[Eric29]

I’ve used one of these for years. It would be perfect for the job the OP described because of the hook on it.

https://www.woodmanspal.com/

 

[JR 42]

Once you get the vines chopped, then you have to pull all the roots, any little piece will grow another vine, almost over night.

My choice would be Stihl , they make a metal bladed weedeater.

You might be able to get rid of a small single patch with very regular weeding over several years, but invasive blackberry grows roots like crazy- runners everywhere, canes root when they touch the ground, roots are twisty and long... most recommendations I've seen in the western US call for regularly cutting back new growth, and spraying thoroughly.

 

[Tallpilot]

I’ve used one of these for years. It would be perfect for the job the OP described because of the hook on it.

That's why I posted it. If you want/have to do that sort of a job with a hand tool the Woodman's pal is the tool. I have the military style with the hand guard. I was sad to see they discontinued it.

https://www.murrayslures.com/Woodman-s-Pal-Military-Premium-Model-284-p/pt284-ns.htm

 

[Ton ton]

OP, nice thread. Always good to see a knife- related thread on Garage journal. I like SOGfari and Marbles brands of machete.

 

[WillRead]

I'd recommend looking at brands from parts of the world that use machetes daily. I'd recommend Imacasa, tramontina, or if wanting something useable out of the box look into Condor.

Either Imacasa or Tramontina arent going to be ready to use out of the box, but they're cheap and IMO one from Imacasa is about the best machete you can get.

 

[RTM]

I wouldn’t want to attack berries with a machete. I used something like this.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/garden/garden-care/pruners/10242-raspberry-cane-cutter

I have two machetes, one vintage, one newer, chinese made w nifty handle. The vintage one is much more comfortable to swing, used it a few weekends ago to thin the mess of stuff to be shredded.

I don’t want to get that close to anything that pointy. I would cut them, and just picking them up would poke holes through my split leather gloves.

Definitely get the roots if you want to slow down the growth, those things are a ***** to deal with.

 

[CR888]

Japanese Scythe or Takemoto Sickle. Check them out & you'll get the drift.

 

[Shiftless]

Once you get the vines chopped, then you have to pull all the roots, any little piece will grow another vine, almost over night.

My choice would be Stihl , they make a metal bladed weedeater.

That’s what was used on the blackberries in my backyard when we first moved in. I hired a guy who was a real maniac when it came to brush clearing. He arrived one morning with a big trailer that had steel mesh sides. He geared up with leather chaps, a heavy canvas jacket and a helmet with a steel mesh face guard. He revved up his gas powered weed eater with the steel blade and jumped into the middle of the several feet thick tangle and quickly cut his way out. Jump into a new area and repeat. Load the trimmings into his trailer and jump into the trailer with his cutter and reduce the pile. Then cut more vines.
He cleared about 500 sq. ft. of land down to bare dirt in about 2 hours.

Afterwards the vines tried to re sprout of course but RoundUp regularly applied to the new sprouts eventually killed all of it.

 

[Ton ton]

Goats like raspberry canes.

 

[Ton ton]

I wouldn’t want to attack berries with a machete. I used something like this.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/garden/garden-care/pruners/10242-raspberry-cane-cutter

I have two machetes, one vintage, one newer, will add the name tomorrow. I don’t want to get that close to anything that pointy. I would cut them, and just picking them up would poke holes through my split leather gloves.

Definitely get the roots if you want to slow down the growth, those things are a ***** to deal with.

That does look like a nice tool.

 

[cvairwerks]

Bobcat with a root rake.

 

[seber]

I use the cheapest thinnest ************* I can find and wear it out. They are $6 new and I find them in thrift stores for $2. Keep two or three razor sharp and switch them lout as they get dull. The light weight and keen edge makes blackberries a lot easier to deal with than traditional weight cutters that will wear you out before long.

 

[Shootinok]

I've used several for construction surveying to clearing shooting lanes for hunting.

I still have a couple, here is my opinion on them;
I prefer an 18" blade.
Ontario makes a very nice quality, Made in USA machete, and is the one I carry in my truck.

Tramontina makes an excellent machete. They are inexpensive (<$20) and with a little work they are top-notch. The handles from the factory leave a little to be desired as the wood is slightly larger than the tang, leaving a slit to irritate your hand. Some file work and sandpaper and you'll have a friend for life.

The Condor Golok is a quality instrument. Thick steel, big grippy handle but it is heavy. While I like the "coolness factor" it has, I find it impractical as an everyday use tool for me.

The cheapo's arent worth the cardboard they come with and the latest trend of "survival" machetes is just hype to sell an impractical item.

That's my 2 cents.

This is a good opportunity to show off my machete sheath.
I made a couple of these from a piece of SDR35 PVC with a heat gun.

 

[Kevin54]

I'd get someone with a Skid Steer that has a mulcher attachment. Then spray everything with brush killer.

 

[wolverinehusky]

https://www.woodmanspal.com/

I ended up ordering the Woodsman Pal late last night after a whisky or two as was tough to press the "confirm purchase" button due to the price. Alcohol made it easier ha.

I researched it more and it is universally praised, and I also saw a few forum and reddit posts where people said they used this for blackberry bushes. Also, I needed something that could take on even tougher jobs as my yard has a number of bushes and trees and this will prove useful in trimming.

I have these plants/vines on a trullice near my front door and they are crazy aggressive and strong.

Can't recall the name of the plant (when it blooms beautiful with these hanging pinkish flowers) butr most people who know plants comment on it because they are great looking and supposedly expensive (were here when I bought the house). They've attached to my roof gutter and literally pulled them off the roof so I have to fight them back. The Woodsman Pal will be good for the job.

I know there are more efficient ways to get the blackberry bushes under control, and perhaps I'll engage in more aggressive tactics down the road. The Woodsman Pal is more for "fun" brush clearing. Hopefully I don't scare my neighbors when I walk out of my house with a big **** hooked machete ha ha.

May need to get a hockey mask to wear when I'm clearing bush just to have some fun.

Again, thanks all.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I spent a lot of time in the bush as a kid. We learned which berries were good to eat.We have three different blackberries around here, the invasive Himalayan ones, very sweet berries, another large vine but not as aggressive growing with spit leaves and more delicate tasting berries and my favourite a small vine with small more tart berries found on clearcuts.

 

[bargainhuntingking]

.

Can't recall the name of the plant (when it blooms beautiful with these hanging pinkish flowers)...

Looks like Wisteria...

 

[wolverinehusky]

Looks like Wisteria...

Ah thanks! Yea, that's it. Great looking plant but aggressive!

 

[snickers muncher]

These guys really know their stuff!

I've tried many styles/companies/golocks/parang/etc. and in my opinion the Tramontina 18" latin is the best all around. The right combination of thickness, balance, ease of sharpening. amd flexibility. One of those and a file and you'll be set. I'm in a constant war with wisteria and it gets used every three weeks or so.

 

[Tallpilot]

I ended up ordering the Woodsman Pal late last night after a whisky or two as was tough to press the "confirm purchase" button due to the price. Alcohol made it easier ha.

I researched it more and it is universally praised, and I also saw a few forum and reddit posts where people said they used this for blackberry bushes. Also, I needed something that could take on even tougher jobs as my yard has a number of bushes and trees and this will prove useful in trimming.

I have these plants/vines on a trullice near my front door and they are crazy aggressive and strong.

Can't recall the name of the plant (when it blooms beautiful with these hanging pinkish flowers) butr most people who know plants comment on it because they are great looking and supposedly expensive (were here when I bought the house). They've attached to my roof gutter and literally pulled them off the roof so I have to fight them back. The Woodsman Pal will be good for the job.

I know there are more efficient ways to get the blackberry bushes under control, and perhaps I'll engage in more aggressive tactics down the road. The Woodsman Pal is more for "fun" brush clearing. Hopefully I don't scare my neighbors when I walk out of my house with a big **** hooked machete ha ha.

May need to get a hockey mask to wear when I'm clearing bush just to have some fun.

Again, thanks all.

Let us know how you feel after you get it and spend some time swinging it.

The price really is atrocious but the 2.0 version is a unique blend of modern metallurgy and manufacturing techniques combined with craftsmanship and hand work that is very rare today. I'm sure there are copies with most of the functionality but none of the pride.

 

[rick carpenter]

It won't be much fun tackling blackberry vines, that's for sure. BTDT! Take some pics for us. During.