I have only owned 2 SOG machetes and they have been good until one handle broke. Last weekend my son-in-law was clearing a path for a new deer stand and hit a tree head on with the other one, and this one broke in half. I was considering trying a new brand?
cast iron? I wonder if forged ones will take more impact?
You might consider a hatchet or small ax like a Estewing Campers Ax for larger branches.
I got mine from Harbor Freight, seems like it was made from spring steel as it's flexible but stiff enough to put in a days work. I changed the handle out, didn't like the smooth hard plastic one, too many blisters.
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Machetes--3185
https://www.bladehq.com/cat--Best-Machetes--4172
Quote from: jgp12000 on July 14, 2022, 01:17:24 PMI have only owned 2 SOG machetes and they have been good until one handle broke. Last weekend my son-in-law was clearing a path for a new deer stand and hit a tree head on with the other one, and this one broke in half. I was considering trying a new brand?
Tramontina... strong and inexpensive !
Cool
Quote from: CooldadE on July 15, 2022, 12:45:13 AMQuote from: jgp12000 on July 14, 2022, 01:17:24 PMI have only owned 2 SOG machetes and they have been good until one handle broke. Last weekend my son-in-law was clearing a path for a new deer stand and hit a tree head on with the other one, and this one broke in half. I was considering trying a new brand?
Tramontina... strong and inexpensive !
Cool
Tramontina makes great knives, they were rated pretty high many years back for many years but do they make machetes?
Quote from: Gobi King on July 15, 2022, 01:29:40 AMQuote from: CooldadE on July 15, 2022, 12:45:13 AMQuote from: jgp12000 on July 14, 2022, 01:17:24 PMI have only owned 2 SOG machetes and they have been good until one handle broke. Last weekend my son-in-law was clearing a path for a new deer stand and hit a tree head on with the other one, and this one broke in half. I was considering trying a new brand?
Tramontina... strong and inexpensive !
Cool
Tramontina makes great knives, they were rated pretty high many years back for many years but do they make machetes?
Yes they do ... various lengths and styles. With hardwood or synthetic handles... mine is 22" and has a synthetic handle. The cutting edge needs attention / refinement. But for the price to me it's worth it.
Cool
I like the ones shaped like this:
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Cold-Steel-Fixed-Blade-Knife-Heavy--44381 (https://www.bladehq.com/item--Cold-Steel-Fixed-Blade-Knife-Heavy--44381)
Having the weight forward gives it more momentum.
That's like the old Hawaiian sugarcane knife! I still have one.
I like Martindale. I became familiar with them while working in Nigeria. These are carbon steel (made in Birmingham, England). You will ding them up if you chop into nails or barbed wire but they won't break and are easily sharpened. Get one with a wood handle and you can shape it however you like and it typically won't break like plastic can.
https://www.machetespecialists.com/filter/brand/martindale/
-Mike
IMHO, Danny Trejo is the best Machete ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: philaroman on July 15, 2022, 07:15:04 PMIMHO, Danny Trejo is the best Machete ;D ;D ;D
Machete Kills!! (In space)
I just saw Lowes has Tramontina I get 5% off with CC $20
It's expensive (@ $175) but I have an ESEE Junglas that works well. It comes with a high quality tactical nylon sheath.