Top 10 Best Machete Reviews For 2023 | Tested
Table of Contents
01. Condor Tool & Knife, Golok Machete
Condor is a company that stands by its word. The length of the Condor machete provides great functionality with the best quality. This machete with high carbon steel tang has a 14-inch blade size and curved shape that eases cutting even strums. The blade is painted black. You can also cut limbs, shrubs, bamboo, and branches with the right balance.
It has a walnut full black tang with brass rivets and a lanyard hole. The handle connects with the tang making you feel comfortable gripping it. This machete decreases the issue of slippage.
It has a beautifully designed walnut handle that is curved to sit in your grip perfectly.
A great thing about Condor Golok Machete is a high-quality sheath that is made of the best quality heavy-duty leather, ballistic nylon, or Kydex that provides you with more durability. Its sheath has top-notch quality.
Its result is outstanding for chopping and slicing. This is heavy-duty yet balanced because its blade has the shopping power of an ax with a machete’s slicing ability.
This machete ensures you won’t be disappointed because of its high-quality performance.
Specification
| Overall Length | 20.25″ |
| Blade Length | 14.50″ |
| Handle Material | Walnut |
| Blade Material | 1075 High Carbon Steel |
| Handle Length | 5.75″ |
| Blade Thickness | 0.19″ |
| Special Feature | Full Tang |
| Sheath | 100% Leather Sheath Included |
| Item Weight | 1 lb. 9.80 oz. |
Pros & Cons
02. KA-BAR 2-1249-9 Kukri
KA-BAR is equipped with a 1085 kukri-style-carbon-steel that excels for chopping and is best for field use without a slippery grip.
It has a thick and agile full tang that includes a lanyard hole. The weight is perfect and comfortable to hold.
Cordura and black leather sheath also have a D-ring loop to attach a belt and make flexible hand carry easily. Because of its blade length, it is not useful for hard chopping, and the sheath is not enough in terms of sturdiness. The price is reasonable to buy Ka-Bar.
It is ideal for chopping down weeds, cutting small branches, and clearing a composite.
Note: This product includes TDI, which is known to the state of California to cause cancer and congenital disabilities, or other reproductive harm.
Specification
| Overall Length | 17.00″ |
| Blade Length | 11.50″ |
| Blade Material | Carbon Steel |
| Blade Thickness | 0.17″ |
| Blade Style | Kukri |
| Handle Length | 5.50″ |
| Handle Material | Kraton |
| Sheath | Nylon |
| Weight | 1 lb. 11.20 oz. |
Pros & Cons
03. Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete
It has a curved blade that is much better than a straight-blade machete. The length of it is 13 and 1/2 inches so you can cut with ease. The tang is made of carbon steel and allows you to hold it very well and maximize comfort.
It has great features such as a carbon steel blade which increases strength, and corrosion resistance, and is easy to sharpen. It offers a full tang and rubber grip that allows maximum control in any condition.
The sheath of this machete is made of solid nylon, which has a little survival guide that makes it more worthy.
Parang Machete is very functional with all the above characteristics, but the sheath is tight to draw the machete as its contoured structure.
Moreover, the low price is another best thing about this machete.
04. Ontario Knife Military Machete
With no fancier look but providing complete functionality for a longer time, Ontario Knife C0 1-18 is the machete for you. It has high carbon steel 18 inches perfect blade size with a lower price which is the best one for the military for years.
Its overall length is 24 inches providing you well balancing for trail clearing. You can also use it for cutting to clear the thick brushes and trim trees like a yard tool.
The best thing about this machete is that our troops expect found in all the machetes OKC makes. It is made up of carbon steel, and the blade is hardened to 50-55 HRC.
The bad thing about Ontario is it does not provide you with a sheath. So you can wrap the tape around its tang to get rid of slippage.
Note: This product includes TDI, which is known to the state of California to cause cancer and congenital disabilities, or other reproductive harm.
05. Cold Steel 97BWM12S Bowie Machete
Featuring 1055 carbon steel with a tough black baked-on Anti matte finish makes it an outstanding piercing tool. Its overall length is 17-5/8”. Having a sharp tip on its blade makes it unique with the best comfort combat machete.
It has a fully extended polypropylene tang that allows you to have a perfect grip on it. It also has a lanyard hole that provides you with more safety.
Moreover, it’s not heavy but performs like a superb machete. Rivets and Hard plastic designed Cor-Ex made Sheath is provided incredible support. You can purchase it at a very less price.
If you always dream of a Bowie knife but never get one, the Cold Steel Bowie Machete can be yours for a fraction of the price.
Note: This product contains a harsh chemical named NICKEL, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and congenital disabilities, or other reproductive harms.
06. Cold Steel 97LPMS Machete Panga
This machete is perfect for chopping, cutting, digging, craving, smashing, splitting, hiking, scooping, crushing, and much more. And if you want a deadly weapon, then no other machete is like Col steel.
It has a tough polypropylene handle that provides a comfy, secure grip no matter what the condition, dry or wet. It will work perfectly in every wild environment.
The blades of these machetes are made of 1055 carbon steel with a tough spring temper and are surfaced with a black baked-on anti-rust finish. It provides high-quality performance with a good utility edge, which allows you to force less.
Its overall length is 23 5/8 inches and without a sheath.
07. CRKT Halfachance Parang Machete
CRKT comes with a lavish blade, comfy handle, and reinforced nylon sheath. This machete is perfect for survival parang to use.
It has thick carbon steel blades with a black powder coat that is reliable and resists in an extreme environment. You can cut brushes and small trees. It is also built for hard use and as well as an ideal machete for survival use.
This tool includes a reinforced nylon sheath that has a unique Velcro belt loop system that is easy to change between two sides, such as dangling or sung against the belt. It also has an extra paracord fob that comes laced onto the nylon sheath for emergencies or lashing this parang to a pack, truck, or pack mule.
The half-chance blades give you safety even when you have only a Half-chance of survival.
A uniformly sharp end-to-end machete is an excellent choice for you.
08. Ka-Bar 14-Inch Grass Machete Knife
The handle of the Ka-Bar Grass Machete Knife is made from comfortable Kraton G thermoplastic elastomer, which provides a secure and slip-resistant grip, even in wet or humid conditions. The handle’s ergonomic design helps to reduce hand fatigue during extended use, making it a great choice for heavy-duty tasks.
One thing that stands out about this machete is its balance. The blade and handle are perfectly weighted, which makes it easy to swing and maneuver. This balance also adds to the machete’s cutting power, making it a great choice for tackling thick vegetation and brush.
Overall, I would highly recommend the Ka-Bar 14-Inch Grass Machete Knife to anyone in need of a durable and reliable cutting tool for outdoor use. Its long, sharp blade, comfortable grip, and excellent balance make it a standout product in its category. Whether you’re clearing a trail or working on landscaping, this machete will get the job done.
09. Tramontina Machete Wood
This machete has a unique design that is Brazilian-made. With sturdy carbon steel blade has a fantastic wooden handle that gives you to hold onto it well.
Its overall length is 23 inches, and its blade length is 18 inches, built with high-quality material and is durable.
Tramontina offers you some flex, which decreases vibrations when you grip its handle and is suitable for the safety factor. So what’s better than this bolo machete? Well, with a full swing, there is no chance of slippage.
It’s a very reasonable machete. What will you pay you to have worth for it? All beautiful appearances with 100% functioning make this machete undeniable.
10. Cold Steel Two-Handed Katana Machete
Its blade is like a modern tactical Tanto point that is most reliable and impervious to the elements. It has a full tang with a long extra tough injection-molded Polypropylene handle with a sturdy cross guard. Its polypropylene handle handled by both hands with 16 and ½ inches lets you hold a good grip without slippage. It also has a lanyard hole which gives you more security.
The anti-rust matte finish with black carbon steel 24 inches blade lets you do great self-defense against animals and run for long-lasting.
It also has a cor-ex sheath that has not any straps. Sometimes it is tricky to handle it.
This machete is fit for home clearing brush in the wilderness and cutting Tatami Mats in your garden. Now it increases its blade length by about 24”, which enhances the cutting power in this great price modern machete.
A Complete Buying Guide to Machete
Hopefully, you’ll find this guide fruitful. Lets started!
Types Of Steel
Firstly, you should look at the type of material with which the blade is made. There is three common blade material let’s find out!
Carbon Steel
The carbon steel material is harder than stainless steel material with good edge sharpening retention. This material needs regular oiling to prevent rust. This may cause harden to re-sharp.
Stainless Steel
As stainless steel is not as hard as carbon steel material, it is easy to resharpen. It provides stain resistance and requires less maintenance than carbon steel material. The only disadvantage of this material is not as good as carbon steel material.
High Carbon Stainless Steel
This type of material is a combination of both carbon steel and stainless steel material. That’s why it has added corrosion resistance and is more durable. The disadvantage of this material needs regular oiling to prevent rust and more effort is needed to sharpen it.
Blade Length
Blade length is also an important factor in finding the machete.
Short Blade
Shorter blade length is good for gardens and needs more power to cut anything but is easy to sharpen than longer blades.
Long Blade
The more length of the blade, the more the weight increased so that you can cut any hardwood in just one swing.
Blade Thickness
When it comes to the blade thickness of the machete, then you can find two types of thickness. Machete categorizes blade thickness as 2mm thin to 6mm thick. This include:
Thin
The thin machete is used to cut soft plants and vegetation. They are light in weight and harder in chopping. The thin blade may break and can cause other damages.
Thick
Vice versa, thick-blade machetes are useful in terms where great power is needed. It requires more power and more weight. But it is easy to handle than thick-blade machetes.
Weight
Machetes come in heavyweight or lightweight.
Light Weight Machete
The lightweight machete is used for cleaning brushes and chopping etc. there is a small force needed to handle this type of machete.
Heavy Weight Machete
The heavyweight machetes are used for cutting trees. This type of machete needs full force to deal with. You can cut anything in just one swing by using a heavyweight machete, but you need extra care to handle this type of machete.
Popular Machete Brands
Candor
A famous brand that originated in 1787 in GEBR WEYESBERG Company in Soligen and became popular across the world is known for the quality of its craftsmanship. The candor machete comes with a high-quality sheath so that you can feel that you are using a superior cutting tool.
The best pros of this brand are, Candor provides you with a lifetime warranty. If your purchased item gets any defect, this company is responsible for repairing, replacing, or substituting it with the same item or an item of equal value.
Gerber
This brand, owned by Fiskars Oyj, is one of the top-notch brands that make high-quality knives, machetes, and other tools. Gerber originated in Tigard, Oregon, and the USA.
Cold Steel
The world’s strongest company as it provides durable products. This company has high-quality products that provide after testing so that you can rely on them any time cold steel manufacturers.
Cold Steel products have a lifetime warranty. The damaged products will repair or replace with new products.
Ka-Bar
This brand is most popular due to its unique product designs. Ka-bar manufacturers are popular all over the world because of their 100+ unique designs.
The best thing about this brand is providing a lifetime warranty. They accept damaged products or repair or replace them with new ones.
United Cutler
One of the top brands is United Cutlery is known for its innovative and unique product designs. The high-quality products will never make you regret it.
The United Cutlery also gives a whole-life warranty as its manufacturers are damaged. You can exchange them for new ones.
Tramontina
A Brazilian well-known company manufactures multiple products. Tramontina gives the offer to ship free on many items. Tramontina accepts its damaged products and repair or replaces them with a new ones. This company gives you a lifetime warranty.
Estee
An Estee is a multinational company owned by a diverse portfolio of brands, both digital commerce and retail channels. This company accepts returned products in case purchased products are damaged; they can exchange or refund them.
Handle Material
The most important thing is which type of material of the machete. There are so many materials to select for the machete to use properly. So there are different materials you have to choose from before getting the machete.
Handle shapes can be round, square, or curved. Having round and curved shapes, machetes are a comforter and relatively more ergonomic. At the same time, square shape machete gives you a feel of the shock when you strike a blow.
Wood
A handle made of wood allows you to hold it adequately but can cause slippage sometimes—these types of handles are difficult to maintain and found to be more on the pricey side.
Plastic
Cheap material and requires less maintenance. However, these types of handles can slick when hands are wet but can complete control over the machete when hands are dry.
Stainless Steel
Decorative handles are made with stainless steel and added more weight. When your hands get wet, then it causes slippage, which gives you less grip action.
Rubber
A softened firm grip is offered by rubber material handles but can cause hand fatigue while using a machete.
Leather
It a gorgeous-looking handles with high performance but are not work well for real practical purposes. When leather becomes wet, it can cause slippage, making the swing more difficult.
Layered
These types of handles are made with a combination of materials like paper, canvas, and fiberglass. They offer a comfy, firm grip and are durable for a long-lasting period of time.
Machete Types
Like other knives, there is some type of this knife. Usually, people don’t know about the types. But you should know these types before buying them. In my opinion, there is a difference in the use and quality of all these types. So, if you don’t identify the use of a knife, then it is not possible to achieve your aim. Stay with me for types:
Barong
These machetes are popular because of their leaf-shaped blade. It is clear by the name of this Machete that the shape looks like a leaf. Traditionally, it is sharpened from one side. People in the Philippines use this type of Machete to cut different things. I can say that this machete is part of their culture and tradition. It can cut anything you want, but the condition is that you should know the proper way technique to use it.
Billhook
This one is known as the agricultural cutting tool with a curved shape, and people are using this tool for years. The shape of the billhook is curved, so you can use it to chop objects. The sharpened side is the inner side of the curve. Moreover, the grip of these types of machetes is excellent to cut anything like wood.
Bolo
Usually, it is famous in the East of Asia like Nepal and India. It is used as a tool for agricultural and farming purposes. Traditionally, it is the best tool for harvesting crops like rice and peanuts. Do you have these crops in your fields? You should use this machete for harvesting your crops.
Bowie
The name of this machete came from America. Usually, people use this tool to make designs on wood. It is very tough to make designs by cutting materials. If you have a proper tool for designing materials, then it is not very difficult. So, you have to choose this one for design purposes.
Bush
It is known as a general-purpose machete. There is a flat blade that can be used anywhere according to the need. Maybe, you will face some different types of situations to using this knife. Moreover, you can also use it to make snares and traps. Generally, people use this tool to cut bushes from the ways to move forward in the forests.
Cane
It is a very tough task to hack a sugar cane without a proper tool. But you can use a cane machete for this purpose to create ease in your life. There are many other types of canes. So, you can get benefits from these canes after cutting them according to your requirements. So, Cane Machete is the best tool for cutting purposes.
Colima
If you are looking for double sides sharped machete, then Colima will be the best choice for you. Sometimes, it is the need for people to do sweeping cuts. According to my research and observation, sweeping cutting is a specific type of technique, and it is only possible with a two-sided blade.
Hawkbill
It is not a flat but curved machete. It is different from previous machetes because it has two properties. Firstly, it is curved. Secondly, it is sharpened on both sides. So, I can say that it is a hybrid machete to use for cutting purposes.
Panga
It is famous in Africa and the Caribbean. The shape of this machete is designed to target small areas. As you know, you cannot focus on a small area of any material by using a simple knife. So, if you want to focus on a small area of material for designing purposes, then you should use it.
Blade Length
The third important factor is the length of the blade. Most blade length is available in 10 to 28 inches, and the most common length is 18 inches. If you want a smaller length, then they have less blade length, and they are more portable. A large-length blade is used in larger areas and obviously harder to transport.
Blade Composition
Each machete performs differently varies the type of material. Materials are mostly made of stainless steel and carbon steel. Another material that is a combination of both stainless steel and carbon steel is high-carbon stainless steel.
Tang
A handler is a part that connects the blade to grip up its tang for slicing and chopping, more force is needed, so make sure before selecting a machete, that the blade has a full length so that you have an easy grip on its tang.
What to Look for in a Machete?
You should look for the important things in a machete length, size, weight, and handle. You should select according to your needs, not by look. Comfy and durable are the most important factors in selecting the right machete.
Handle Style
A handler is a part that connects the blade to grip up its tang for slicing and chopping, more force is needed, so make sure before selecting a machete, that the blade has a full length so that you have an easy grip on its tang. So be careful to choose a handle style. You should select one that fits in your hand and is comfy to deal with.
Sheath
A sheath act as a preventer and the best protector of the machete and increases the lifeline of a blade. There are so many types of sheaths like the following:
- Leather sheath
- Solid nylon
- Cor-ex
- Cordura
Sheaths also have belt loops and straps so you can carry them out easily throughout the day; having a D-ring sheath is more easily carried along in a jungle.
Noted that, the best sheath comes up with the machetes, and you have to select according to your needs. If you want to make your own sheath, then you have to order it and try that as well!!
Tips for Finding the Right Machete
Now. I’m going to give you some tips that are useful to find the right machete.
01. We all want to find a machete that works like a razor-like blade. But to handle a sharpening blade, it also requires a technique to use simply not as too difficult to focus in terms to avoid hurting yourself.
Before purchasing a sharpener machete, you have to check once which amount of force/effort it requires to be constantly flattened, soaked, and cleaned.
You have to buy it according to your needs, and it would be comfy and easy to use and handle. If there is not much effort required, then you should use a slightly light sharpener that works properly.
02. The sheath is also considered when you want to buy the right machete as sheath comes in different varieties so that you can buy it according to your needs and budget. Without a sheath, a machete is not fit for heavy work.
03. When it comes to quality factors, that mostly depends on price. If you want a perfect machete for a long time, you should buy a machete of high quality; it is better to invest in high quality that is sturdy and usable for a long time rather than low quality for a few months.
But at the same time, you also have to maintain your budget, so select the right choice for a machete that is best but durable so that you won’t regret it. In the end, you will able to say ‘it was worth it.
Well, it depends upon your machete. When you buy a perfect machete, firstly, you should learn that if your machete is used for cut grass or non-woody vegetation, then a 20-25 degree angle is best as small sharpening edges razor sharpening is needed.
If you are cutting woody vegetation and branches, then a 25-35 degrees angle is best as a larger sharpening angle.
04. Another important tip for you, you should also consider, is a sharpener a machete takes a long time to edge perfectly in the blade which is so annoying, especially for beginners in sharpening the edges in the blade.
05. Over time, chopping vegetation and striking meats are the major reason for damaging a machete. There are different field machetes that work differently. Also, you can put it in your pockets and can use it without applying oil to touch it up while working.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Machete A Knife?
Exactly, all machetes are knives but all knives are not machetes.
Is A Machete A Weapon?
It is true to say, a machete is a weapon because in militaries machetes are most commonly used all around the world.
Which Steel Is The Best For Machetes?
High-carbon steel is good and easiest to care for as it is a combination of both carbon steel and stainless steel.
Is It A Machete Sword Or Knife?
Any machete is used for multiple uses. So, if we use a machete as a sword or as a knife, then it can perfectly work for both. That is why we can say that machetes are perfectly worked as a knife or a sword.
Is Machete Good For Self-Defense?
Yes, a machete is commonly used for self-defense across the globe. But you have to be careful when you carry a machete with you.
Which Is The Best Machete For Survival?
Machetes are large and also small but for survival, small and sharp machetes are the best ones. So I’ve selected CRKT Chanceinhell as the best-ever survival machete.
Which One Is The Best All-Around Machete?
As I’ve used Ka-bar Kukri. I found that this machete is best among all-all-around machetes.
Which One Is The Best Metal For Machete?
When it comes to metal, there are so many best brands, but I like the most Kershaw and Ka-bar for their best metal.
Which Machete Is Best For Clearing Brushes?
If you want perfectly cleaned brushes then SOG SOGfari18” machete is the best among all.
Can A Machete Cut Down A Tree?
Yes, a machete with a large blade size can easily cut through heavy plants and trees.
Which Is A Machete Good For?
A machete is now a part of our daily life because it can work as both a knife and a machete. By using any machete, you can chop, clear brushes, hike, strike, and do many more acts. Machete is also a true companion as a survival tool.
Conclusion
The perfect machete is not difficult to select if you consider all aspects that are listed above, as you’ll never regret purchasing the right machete. All you need to select the machete that is completely comfy and convenient so that you can easily handle it.
