Machete Recommendation: Only for non-nerd gamers

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So for any of you non-nerd gamers who actually get out of your parent's basement from time to time, is there any machete you recommend for brush clearing?  

Got some brush I need to clear and figured a good machete would do the job better and be cheaper than buying all these other tools (shears, axes, etc.).  Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.  Walmart had a Fiskars one but it doesn't have the best reviews and well they make kindergarten scissors.

 
I know this is what is used at my parents farm to clear out the brush/wooded area at the end of the property.  Probably a little bit of overkill for what you are doing...

Fiskars isnt horrible for the price.  It would depend on how thick the brush is.  If its some thick stuff you would be better off going with a fiskars like this or another similar brand.  If this is a one time deal that you are not going to have to repeat every year or two I'd go with something like that because of how inexpensive it is compared to the better models.

 
I, too, have considered a machete for light brush clearing. Now more than ever really because we are buying a house with nearly two acres of land. I have read lots of good reviews about Tramontina ones. Very inexpensive and apparently very decent. That's probably what I'll buy.

Like this 18" model here:

http://smile.amazon.com/Tramontina-Machete-Wood-Handle-26621/dp/B00367P3TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423947356&sr=8-1&keywords=tramontina+machete

This Ontario gets good reviews on Amazon and is reasonably priced as well:

http://smile.amazon.com/Ontario-6145-Military-Machete-Black/dp/B0001WBIEY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423947413&sr=8-3&keywords=machete

Condor makes decent quality stuff - I've considered this one as well:

http://smile.amazon.com/Condor-Eco-Survivor-Salvasor-Machete-18-Inch/dp/B003D9RB3E/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1423947488&sr=8-6&keywords=condor+machete

Kabar Kukri is suppose to be nice though not as long as a traditional machete:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001H53Q8A/knifeup-20

I own a kabar becker bk2, a gerber lmf and a small condor camp knife so I can attest to the quality of these three manufacturers. The bk2 is a great all around knife that I've used many times for yard work. If their kukri and machetes are of similar quality then they should be very solid.

I've have a couple sets of fiskars loppers and they are fine for what they are but I chipped the blade on one of the loppers somehow so that sucks. It's about a pinky fingernail size chip so it oftentimes gets branches caught in it and won't cut through. Kinda sucks. Make me think twice about fiskars.

also - I have this:

http://smile.amazon.com/Lansky-LPUCK-Dual-Grit-Sharpener/dp/B000B8FW0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423948183&sr=8-1&keywords=sharpening+puck

and it works great for sharpening my shovel that I keep and edge on, mower blades, and what I'd use to sharpen my machete with if I had one haha.

So while I don't actually own a machete - that's my input for what it's worth. I am a knife guy though and own several decent knives and sharpen my own with a tri-hone or on my lansky system. So I'm somewhat familiar with metal edges ;)

 
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thepcgameguy said:
I know this is what is used at my parents farm to clear out the brush/wooded area at the end of the property. Probably a little bit of overkill for what you are doing...

Fiskars isnt horrible for the price. It would depend on how thick the brush is. If its some thick stuff you would be better off going with a fiskars like this or another similar brand. If this is a one time deal that you are not going to have to repeat every year or two I'd go with something like that because of how inexpensive it is compared to the better models.
Click to expand...
Ha! Yeah, that would be way too much. There's like a thick brush to the side of the building. It runs into adjacent lots and it looks like no one has ever even tried to clear it. I'm thinking of clearing it to the tree line at least (probably 5-10 feet) and something I'd probably have to do yearly, but the biggest job would be up front. That Fiskars doesn't look bad, I just read some bad reviews about the brand online.

bordjon said:
I, too, have considered a machete for light brush clearing. Now more than ever really because we are buying a house with nearly two acres of land. I have read lots of good reviews about Tramontina ones. Very inexpensive and apparently very decent. That's probably what I'll buy.

Like this 18" model here:

http://smile.amazon.com/Tramontina-Machete-Wood-Handle-26621/dp/B00367P3TC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423947356&sr=8-1&keywords=tramontina+machete

This Ontario gets good reviews on Amazon and is reasonably priced as well:

http://smile.amazon.com/Ontario-6145-Military-Machete-Black/dp/B0001WBIEY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423947413&sr=8-3&keywords=machete

Condor makes decent quality stuff - I've considered this one as well:

http://smile.amazon.com/Condor-Eco-Survivor-Salvasor-Machete-18-Inch/dp/B003D9RB3E/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1423947488&sr=8-6&keywords=condor+machete

Kabar Kukri is suppose to be nice though not as long as a traditional machete:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001H53Q8A/knifeup-20

I own a kabar becker bk2, a gerber lmf and a small condor camp knife so I can attest to the quality of these three manufacturers. The bk2 is a great all around knife that I've used many times for yard work. If their kukri and machetes are of similar quality then they should be very solid.

I've have a couple sets of fiskars loppers and they are fine for what they are but I chipped the blade on one of the loppers somehow so that sucks. It's about a pinky fingernail size chip so it oftentimes gets branches caught in it and won't cut through. Kinda sucks. Make me think twice about fiskars.

also - I have this:

http://smile.amazon.com/Lansky-LPUCK-Dual-Grit-Sharpener/dp/B000B8FW0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423948183&sr=8-1&keywords=sharpening+puck

and it works great for sharpening my shovel that I keep and edge on, mower blades, and what I'd use to sharpen my machete with if I had one haha.

So while I don't actually own a machete - that's my input for what it's worth. I am a knife guy though and own several decent knives and sharpen my own with a tri-hone or on my lansky system. So I'm somewhat familiar with metal edges ;)
Click to expand...
You know, I was looking at the Tramontina ones earlier. My only concern was that they don't come sharp so I'd have to sharpen and I'm a newbie when it comes to sharp things. I guess it would be a good learning experience. That Kabar Kukri was also one that looked really great but I was hoping to spend like half of what it costs. I'm also probably getting a everyday carry knife sometime soon and an ax for thicker stuff since some of those bushes might give the machete too much resistance.

Anyone shop at Wild Bill Wholesale? http://www.wildbillwholesale.com/

I assume most of it is junk, but I'd figure I would ask. The showroom is here in the Atlanta area so I could save on the shipping charges that way.

 
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