[Figment]

Im debating between the Cold Steel Kukri, Bolo, and Panga machetes. Anyone have an experience with these? Pros, cons, other suggestions.

Also, can anyone tell me the usefulness of a Karambit knife? They look like mean mofos, but what is the main funtionality?

Thanks in advance! :thumb:

 

[redice]

Don't know off hand what the above look like but in my time I have used a few cheepo machetes and the main thing I look for if I am going to buy one now. Comfortable handle first one I bought the handle was to short with bumps at aether end and gave me calluses on my hands/hurt to use. Second one I bought was longer and could swing all day long.

To me I found that having a handle that's smooth and longer than your hand is beneficial because like an axe they tend to slide when you hit thus by having the longer grip you can allow this and yet still control it and the vibrations don't bother you as much.

Also I wouldn't get one that's overly long just long enough and heavy enough to do the job so you don't get tired swinging it extra weight at the point can be beneficial but I actually prefer the whole blade being thicker. My good machete is twice as thick as the crap ones I had and its more of a straight blade where they had the belly at the tip.

Might have to go shopping for one again one of these days, put my good one down a while back and can't remember where I put it. Also it would be cool to have a serrated area near the hilt, so you could saw down some things.

 

[Yorkshire Boy]

I believe a karambit is for fighting.

I can't say about Cold Steel products but a British firm called Martindale makes some excellent machetes, goloks, jungle knives. In a test carried out by cutlery science they are regarded better than Tramontina, Cold Steel etc...

http://cutleryscience.com/reviews/martindale_machetes.html

http://www.ralphmartindale.co.uk/ralphmartindale/index.html

 

[AKammenzind]

Im debating between the Cold Steel Kukri, Bolo, and Panga machetes. Anyone have an experience with these? Pros, cons, other suggestions.
Thanks in advance! :thumb:

Well, I've used all three... the bolo and panga are pretty similar so far as their abilities go, but the panga has better handling. I get the most use out of their kukri machete though... great little tool for limbing, clearing brush, and it's just thick enough to be used to split smaller logs well.

 

[Sam43]

Make your own, mine is clunky and crude looking, but it worked well. This was an experiment to see what could be done with an old backsaw blade and a couple of files, some wood and string (dipped in carpenter's glue)

 

[drew1095hc]

I have the bolo and kukri. I like the bolo for light brush. I love the kukri for everything else. the kukri to me is more versitile and a great chopper in a pinch.

 

[kajunman1]

Kabar Kukri

 

[blue123]

i am a fan of the Golok kelapa and goloks in general for machete work or chopping.........
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=23546&highlight=asian+bowie
http://www.valiantco.com/

 

[sayter liften]

i have a GERBER GATOR MACHETE that i like very well. the saw back works good and it is well made for the price (20.00) for people that are on a budget like me.:thumb:

 

[ROADKING1]

i have a GERBER GATOR MACHETE that i like very well. the saw back works good and it is well made for the price (20.00) for people that are on a budget like me.:thumb:

Yes, I have two of these, and for 20 bucks, they are great. Nice heavy blade, holds a good edge, once you put one on that is, nice heavy nylon reinforced sheath. Real comfortable rubber handle, no vibrations, no pinching like that old plastic handle $5.00 machete.

 

[ClovisMan]

i have a GERBER GATOR MACHETE that i like very well. the saw back works good and it is well made for the price (20.00) for people that are on a budget like me.:thumb:

I have to agree with the quality of the Gerber Machete. At $17.99 a pop and available at any Academy Outdoors store, you just can't beat them.

 

[alergyfree]

Machete

GERBER GATOR MACHETE is my bet. Though I wrapped the handle with para cord then dipped it in industrial handle dip with a dash of super grip in it. I have large hands and the grip was a might small.
Alergyfree

 

[coldsteelman73]

I have to say the CS khukri machete with the handle cord wrapped in 550 cord is top of my list.Then the Gerber Gator,first truly functional sawback machete and very forgiving grip to the hand or hands while in use,seems to be made from the same high quality carbon steel as the mil-spec Ontario machetes,and a excellent sheath,there are several of these with me.One in the SUV,ATV and my bob.
coldsteelman73

 

[pete_p]

I'm pretty much torn between the Gerber Gator, a kukri or a woodsmans pal.

 

[countryboy123]

Get an Ontario Black Heavy Duty Machete.

Nothing fancy and it wont break the bank, and Ill bet it will cut circles around machetes costing twice as much.

 

[BJJ_Grappler]

I just got a woodman's pal and have yet to field test but am excited!

 

[McJoeDonald]

Im debating between the Cold Steel Kukri, Bolo, and Panga machetes. Anyone have an experience with these? Pros, cons, other suggestions.

Also, can anyone tell me the usefulness of a Karambit knife? They look like mean mofos, but what is the main funtionality?

Thanks in advance! :thumb:

As for the Karambit, I believe that is and always was a fighting knife. It is an ancient weapon based initially on the claw of a tiger, designed by the Sundan people who inhabited the island of Java.

As for the machete, cold steel is a good choice, I'd recommend the kukri. It is a great shape for utility in the wilderness. The edge could get a little nasty after the first time, but give it a good re-sharpening and it should hold a decent working edge for you.

 

[hotsauce]

My machette choice

The best machette I have ever owned is the Condor bolo machette. It stays sharper longer and it has a comfortable grip. I have owned several of the cheapo machettes that hurt my hand to use very long and didn't hold an edge well at all.

 

[techo]

I have a Cold Steel 18" Latin Machete. The blade is too thin and flexes too much.
The black coating is a cheap paint that smears and comes off with plain rubbing alcohol.
The steel appears to be poor quality. I got it for chopping coconuts and It was a waste of money.
I need a shorter, thick blade, quality machete.

 

[blue123]

I have a Cold Steel 18" Latin Machete. The blade is too thin and flexes too much.
The black coating is a cheap paint that smears and comes off with plain rubbing alcohol.
The steel appears to be poor quality. I got it for chopping coconuts and It was a waste of money.
I need a shorter, thick blade, quality machete.

i recommend these guys all the time,here is the blade i have......
http://www.valiantco.com/java/GolokKelapa.JPG
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=23546&highlight=asian+bowie
they are sold out right now but there are others available......

http://www.valiantco.com/