Armory Sponsor
Posted: 7/5/2015 4:52:20 PM EDT
|
I'm in need of a new machete. I'm thinking a 23-ish inch Latin machete. I like the looks of the ESEE light machete, but is it worth the high price? What about the Cold Steel Latin machete?
Thanks in advance. |
|
Machete Specialists > Latin-Bush Style Machetes
Tramontina 22" with sheath ($23) >>> |
I just ordered this. Wont see it for a few weeks though. Im sure it could cut thru some brush |
| The flimsy Latin made machetes are fine for the soft leafy vegetation in South and Central America but I've found that the thicker Ontario is much better for the woody plants on this continent. The steel and heat treat is much better as well. My Ontario holds an edge like crazy while my Tram dulls very quickly. |
| I own 6 or 7 different Cold Steel machetes and they take a serious beating. Chopping up plants and hitting rocks. Most have been in the field for at least 5 years and not one has lost a handle or become unusable. The steel is fairly soft but easy to fix with a file. My crew do not treat them gently. Hard to beat for the money. |
|
I've been trying to decide, too.
OKC - military issue, and I know how tough it is. Cold Steel - well, I am a fan of alot of their knives...but are the machetes ok? Tramontia - I've heard nothing but good stuff. I think I may try out the one from TOPS Knives, after it's all said and done, though. It's 5x the price - but I hear they are worth it. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Tramotina FPNI, again. http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk279/Bearthedog_photos/Knives/Machetes/Tramontina/IMG_4358.jpg +1 |
| I know I'm gonna encite some hate but my Gerber machete just finished its second - week long trip to the Big Horns were 5 guys beat on it everyday chopping up 4-7 inch logs into links for firewood. It's beat to hell, but it keeps my tramotina and esee from getting beat up by my buddies. It also did double duty digging catholes so it is now named the "ma-shitty". |
|
Quoted:
I know I'm gonna encite some hate but my Gerber machete just finished its second - week long trip to the Big Horns were 5 guys beat on it everyday chopping up 4-7 inch logs into links for firewood. It's beat to hell, but it keeps my tramotina and esee from getting beat up by my buddies. It also did double duty digging catholes so it is now named the "ma-shitty". glad your gator worked for you.. mine didn't last one trip down the firing lane.. just popping 1-3" saplings and such.. the blade was bent all to hell and back.. i finally sent it off to gerber.. haven't heard back from them.. but when it failed.. i walked back to the truck and grabbed my 20yr wally world special and finished the job.. the blade was just so thin.. if they do send it back. i guess it'll go in my zombie bag...LOL.. |
|
Quoted:
Wow, I'm kinda surprised to see the Tramolina following here. My dad was a bush pilot in Central America in the late 60s and that's what he brought back and used all my childhood. I just figured something better had come along since then. Quoted:
Quoted:
Tramotina Wow, I'm kinda surprised to see the Tramolina following here. My dad was a bush pilot in Central America in the late 60s and that's what he brought back and used all my childhood. I just figured something better had come along since then. Nope. Tramolina is where it's at when you are talking light machetes. Now, if you want a heavier machete, I'm partial to Condor knife & tool. They aren't expensive, their leather sheaths are actually pretty darn nice, and their steel has a good heat-treat. Company is also very responsive to taking care of defective pieces. |
|
Quoted:
I'm in need of a new machete. I'm thinking a 23-ish inch Latin machete. I like the looks of the ESEE light machete, but is it worth the high price? What about the Cold Steel Latin machete? Thanks in advance. What are you going to cut with the machete? Different patterns are going to be better at chopping different vegetation. ESEE machete is essentially a Tramontina (or maybe Imcasa) blade that has been cleaned up, re-profiled, fitted with a nice micarta grip and then coated. The upgrades are nice, but you pay for it. Worth it or not depends on your budget and what you're doing with it. However, I think you could buy a real cheap import machete, give it some work with a diamond stone and then a little work with sandpaper on the handle and you would have every bit as functional a tool as the ESEE machete. |
|
Quoted:
What are you going to cut with the machete? Different patterns are going to be better at chopping different vegetation. ESEE machete is essentially a Tramontina (or maybe Imcasa) blade that has been cleaned up, re-profiled, fitted with a nice micarta grip and then coated. The upgrades are nice, but you pay for it. Worth it or not depends on your budget and what you're doing with it. However, I think you could buy a real cheap import machete, give it some work with a diamond stone and then a little work with sandpaper on the handle and you would have every bit as functional a tool as the ESEE machete. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm in need of a new machete. I'm thinking a 23-ish inch Latin machete. I like the looks of the ESEE light machete, but is it worth the high price? What about the Cold Steel Latin machete? Thanks in advance. What are you going to cut with the machete? Different patterns are going to be better at chopping different vegetation. ESEE machete is essentially a Tramontina (or maybe Imcasa) blade that has been cleaned up, re-profiled, fitted with a nice micarta grip and then coated. The upgrades are nice, but you pay for it. Worth it or not depends on your budget and what you're doing with it. However, I think you could buy a real cheap import machete, give it some work with a diamond stone and then a little work with sandpaper on the handle and you would have every bit as functional a tool as the ESEE machete. Pretty light duty work, really. Some trail cutting in South Alabama / North Florida woods. Light vegetation and light hardwood limbs. I guess it would be nice if it could do a little medium duty work. My money tree is not in full bloom or anything, but I'm also a buy once cry once kind of guy. |
|
I've swung both Tmontina and Imacasas in the jungle
everything here in the desert is dry and tough...doesn't like a single swing to cut through. I carry the machette/ saw blade now... two is one, one is fun 
it made quick work of my son's john deer electric jeep, I cut it in half to get in the garbage can... I thought that was pretty cool |
|
Quoted:
I went with the Esee. It's a really nice machete, and as long as I don't lose it I should be happy with my purchase. I trimmed some bushes around the house to get a feel for it. I may have gotten a little carried away on the knockout rose: http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w229/recoiljunky/20150920_105715_zps6fpsflem.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w229/recoiljunky/20150920_105725_zpsoonqksyk.jpg you may want to go back and clean up your cuts on that bush, split ends are bad I thought.... use the snips? |
|
Quoted:
you may want to go back and clean up your cuts on that bush, split ends are bad I thought.... use the snips? Quoted:
Quoted:
I went with the Esee. It's a really nice machete, and as long as I don't lose it I should be happy with my purchase. I trimmed some bushes around the house to get a feel for it. I may have gotten a little carried away on the knockout rose: http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w229/recoiljunky/20150920_105715_zps6fpsflem.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w229/recoiljunky/20150920_105725_zpsoonqksyk.jpg you may want to go back and clean up your cuts on that bush, split ends are bad I thought.... use the snips? I'm sure you're right, but in preceding years I have used a chainsaw. 
|
Armory Sponsor