One of the few things I don't own, snagged one at Harbor Freight and the cutting edge bent/chipped within just a couple hits so now I'm thinking Ebay. Maybe a Cold Steel one?

What are you planning on cutting?  I really like Machete Specialist...and he has some decent information for choosing a machete:  https://www.machetespecialists.com/buying-guide/

You have long, short, thin, thick, weight-forward, various tips designs for various purposes, etc.  For your regular Latin-styled machete, the Imacasa and Tramontina are excellent value-machetes.  At the higher end are Ontario, ESEE, and Condor.  Cold Steel makes very quality machetes as well although I don't care for their rubber grips. Most stainless steel machetes will chip as they're just too hard for an impact chopper.  Most carbon steels will at least roll the edge which can be steeled out if you hit something hard on accident.  Carbon steel also sharpens faster and is easier to sharpen in the field as they're typically not hardened as hard.

Size makes a difference.  The 12" Latin-styled machete has been hailed as the ultimate survival tool by several instructors, but in some areas, you want more reach such as with 18-24" blades.  I personally prefer blades in the 12-16" range for hauling around; longer blades for clearing around the house.  The longer it is, often the thinner the edge if you're swinging a lot.  Shorter blades can be thicker for more versatility on harder woods.  Ironically, some of the best choppers of wood are convex-ground machetes I have and they rival purpose built choppers like Kukri or some of the weight-forward designs.

Asking what kind of machete you should get is like asking, "what kind of gun should I get"?  It may help to understand the types of foliage and uses you plan to use it for.  If it's just around the house, any of the above with an 18" blade will work just fine.  I have an older Condor (stainless steel believe it or not) Swamp Master, Panga-style that I love for clearing black berry vines.  The swept-back curve and point are excellent for cutting into the roots and that pronounced point really pierces well.

ROCK6

I’ll second @Rock6. I will say from use the Tramontina is a good value option, and will do whatever basic tasks you need. If your looking to chop wood, Ontario or ESEE.

If you want a cross between a machete and a big knife, the CRKT MAH-CHETE is a good blade.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TACNN9Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tramontina is a great budget option, built by and for people who rely on them for their livelihoods and protection. I miss my old Collins but Tramontina is a good stand in for them

Ontario Knife Company Kukri

Awesome knife at it's price point ($60).  Great for chopping, the Kukri blade shape makes it a pretty efficient chopper while being useful for lighter tasks still.  I love mine, although I don't get to use it much as I would like.  It's a very large knife.  I will say, you will want to get a good kydex sheath made for it.  The one that comes with it is kind of lacking.
Attached File


Eta also made in the USA!

I bought one of these and didn’t care for it. I choose it for the price point and because it looked cooler than the others on my short list.

I did not find it to be very effective. The blade is thin, and very light for its size. No forward weight at all. And mine didn’t hold an edge for shit.

I ended up giving it away.

Surprising, I actually like mine.  Much lighter than my other Kukri which is a traditional style.  I can see what you mean when compared to others of the type.

Look at the Condor Golok. It's my go to machete here in the South Carolina swamps. Thick enough near the base to do some chopping. Thin enough at the tip to cut vines etc. Weighted toward the tip so it swings easy. Just the right length to ride on the side of my daypack.
Condor Golok

A traditionally long, thin machete isn't a very good woodcraft choice, useful mostly for slicing thru light, thin, flimsy, soft growth that doesn't offer sufficient resistance to be cut with an axe, loppers, etc., and not an appropriate (or safe) tool for chopping, pruning woody stems, or most camp chores, most of which are better addressed with a small axe, or a heavier, shorter, stiffer blade, such as a golok, which is ideal for bamboo and similar semi-woody stems. Pretty hard to beat stout loppers or saws for pruning, and almost impossible to hurt yourself with them, accidentally.

I have a Cold steel Kukri and a Camillus Carnivore. Both are inexpensive and work well for what they are designed for. I've never sawed anything with the carnivore, but I have used the hook for pulling vines, and It chops branches pretty well.

That Camillus looks pretty nice. Good suggestion.

I have an Ontario that I have had for many years.  Although it's not an everyday tool, it has worked very well.  It holds an edge and has a stiff spine, not flimsey like some of the imported ones.

We use machetes for cutting line while surveying in the woods.  Some days you are swinging the damn things all day long.  I've tried USGI Ontarios, WWII Collins, Barteaux machetes, brush axes, loppers etc.   What I've consistently found is that for heavy use the long thin real South American machetes always seem to rise to the top.  You don't have to spend a lot to get a good one either.  I've used Colombian, El Salvadoran, and Brazillian ones.  I really like Imcasa. 22-24" blades with a good leather scabbard from Chicago Steel Tape or similar. Ironically a good scabbard will often end up costing you 2-3 xs what the machete does.  D guard machetes seem like a good idea until you use them for a while.  Everone I know who has used one either removed the guard(In the case of the Barteaux) or replaced the machete.

If you aren't using them all day long though other tools will certainly suffice and might be better.  I dont use anything bigger than a Martindale Golok or Paratrooper when hiking or camping.

Kershaw makes some good ones in several lengths and blade shapes. If you can find one anymore the Ontario Blackie Collins with D guard handle is excellent. Tramontina machetes are very good, a bit lighter & more flexible than the other two.

Ka-Bar Kukri should fit

Tramontina is pretty hard to beat for the money, IMO.

I use mine around the yard quite a bit and it works well. I have a Cold Steel machete and find it’s too thin and light for anything over about 3/4” and bends.

Look at the Terävä Skrama.  I have been using one and it is a great tool.

I am a big fan of Esee knives. I have the 4,5,6. I would give the junglas serious consideration or lite machete.

I've owned and used the Tramontina and U.S. GI stuff over the years........the BEST overall design I've stumbled onto is Marbles El-Salvador produced stuff.................I have used a bolo model to chop 8" to 12" trees on road blockages in the Ocala Ntl Forest............damn good for brush clearing and while easily sharpened to hold an edge.

Stuff is cheap enough...........fifteen bucks or so from Smokey Mtn Knife..................While my old Tramontina is in the trucks tool box, the Marbles' is what gets the use!!

Condor Parang or Heavy Duty Kukri

There is a big difference between a machete and a large knife.  A lot of what has been suggested in this thread are big knives.  A man needs both.

Tramontina 18" with a decent sheath for 19.99 at Lowes then do this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3AAw4fkUSk

https://www.amazon.com/Condor-Tool-Knife-Machete-Walnut/dp/B004WMFNRW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1528659951&sr=8-2&keywords=condor+machete

Beautifully made, and balanced.

Happy Trails.

This thread made me think about gettinf a machete then I remembered that I had th I'll s i could pull out amd mess around with.  Its a Maasai machete I got in Kenya around 1996. Blade is about 14 inches long.

I picked up a cheap Cold Steel bolo style on Amazon for like $15.

Is it amazing, no. But it's not gonna fall apart on me, and it's a work tool. Keep a small file with it and beat the shit out of it.

I was going to post this.  Nicely balanced, puts the weight right where you want it on the blade, and feels good in the hand.

I've been taking out small trees and all sorts of undergrowth for years with this thing...

https://www.gerbergear.com/Cutting-Tools/Machetes/Gator-Golok-Machete_31-002850

Don't confuse it for the cheaply made Gerber Gator machete because it's nothing like it, other than the same brand name. The blade/steel is 3-4 times thicker and it can actually be sharpened and hold and edge. I've used the Gator machete and the Gator brush thinner and I've destroyed them every time. I received my Gerber Golok for free (from a rep) so I purposely set out to destroy this thing to prove a point. Three years after receiving it, it's not as pretty as it was on day one but it's still cutting and chopping and opening shooting lanes on the hunt club.

If you have access to a Frank & Warren INC, Survival AX Type IV MIL-S-8642C you are in like Flint.  If not do the civilian counterpart:  A Woodmanspal ([https://www.woodmanspal.com/=#0000ff]Get the one with D-guard it is well worth it for the hand protection.[/color]

What mine looks like

I have had this for several years.  A couple dozen camping trips, used it on the ranch for a couple years.

Now it resides in my get hone bag.

Very satisfied with it.

I think I paid less than $20 for a Tramontina over 15 years ago. It came in a heavy cloth sheath, wood handle and the blade was a decent carbon steel. It has been an excellent tool. The blade will barely take a file and it holds and edge very well.

The Becker kukri would be a better buy....