Best Machetes Reviewed and Tested
There is no shortage in choice for machetes. It’s an odd kind of market, as the majority of consumers interested in a machete are focused on looks than quality. That’s a pity because the machete has a long and varied history as a vital piece of equipment.
With that in mind, there are still many good options for reliable, hard-working tools that you can trust to get the job done; and a little searching soon turns them up. There are several included in this list. And of course, for those that want an imposing-looking model – either for strapping to the belt or for self-defence; there are a few of those options below, also.
Our Top 3 Picks
What to Look for in a Machete
Steel Type
The primary function of a machete is to chop rather than slice. This exposes the blade to continued shock; and the steel needs to be able to cope with that. It stands to reason then, that ‘sharpness’ isn’t as important for a machete as it is for a butcher’s knife. Steels made for hardness and edge retention are favoured for machetes – even if it takes a little more work to sharpen them.
Steel hardness is a property derived from the amount of carbon present in the steel – and that’s why most machetes advertise that they are made from ‘high carbon steel’. Don’t go on face value here though, as without the reference to what grade of steel it actually is – ‘high carbon’ means nothing.
Steel grades that are good for use in machetes include such classes as the following:
- 1075 high carbon steel
- 1085 high carbon steel
- 1095 high carbon steel
These numbers refer to the percentage of carbon in the steel; for example, 1075 means that there is 0.75% carbon present, 1085 has 0.85%, and so on.
Other classes of steel commonly found in machetes include 3CR13; which is a stainless steel. Stainless steels generally aren’t as hard as carbon steels, but they do offer greater resistance to corrosion. This can be handy depending on the environment you plan to use the machete in.
Blade Design
There are many and varied machete blade designs available. These usually stem from regional machete designs from around the world. Common blade types include the following:
- Bush/Latin machete – these are good all-rounders featuring a long, straight-spined blade. Weight is evenly distributed throughout the blade and they can be used for a variety of tasks.
- Parang/Golok machete – these blades are curved, along the cutting edge as well as the spine of the blade. With weight distribution leaning towards the end of the blade, power is effectively transferred into a good chopping action – and they’re perfectly suited to heavy-duty work.
- Kukri machete – the Kukri blade design is instantly recognisable and separate from most other machete designs. These are usually shorter knives, and they offer powerful forward-weighted blades coupled with a pointed tip. The finer section of blade close to the hilt offers increased versatility for a variety of more delicate tasks.
- Bolo machete – this is a simple yet highly effective chopping design, putting plenty of weight into the end of the thick blade.
Blade Length
The length of the blade on a machete makes a big difference in its intended use. If splitting kindling for the fire is to be the main purpose, a short blade is far easier and safer to wield. On the other hand, trekking through jungles and clearing paths through all kinds of vegetation can be easier achieved through a longer blade, which gives the user greater reach and power to do the job with minimum effort.
Blade Thickness
The tasks that a machete is exposed to put a lot of stress on the knife. For this reason, as well as to produce more power, blades are designed to be thicker. Thick blades stand up to abuse much better than thin ones – but don’t expect to be able to get them as sharp as your pocket knife. A machete doesn’t need to be shaving-sharp anyway. Machetes with slightly thinner blades can be honed to a corresponding degree of sharpness and are more useful for light-duty cutting and trimming.
10 Best Machetes
1. 18” Military – Ontario Knife Co.
Ontario Knife Co. has manufactured the 18” military machete to U.S.A government specifications for over 70 years – and this machete is made to do work. There are no flashy looks or trendy handle construction; just high quality steel and craftsmanship built into every one.
Features and Specifications
18” blade length
1095 carbon steel
1lb 6oz weight
Full tang
4mm to 2.5mm blade thickness (above handle to tip)
Made in America
Price/Value
This is an extremely affordable machete and considering the quality, the best value option on the list.
Verdict
The 18” military machete by Ontario Knife Co. gives the user everything they’d expect from a machete. Ruggedness and reliability are what it’s all about. It’s a pity a sheath isn’t included.
- Simple, proven design
- Moderate weight for extended use while still heavy enough for tough work
- Made in America
- Sheath sold separately
2. Parang – Condor Tools and Knife
Condor put effort into the construction of their machetes. The Parang features a slim-line and sweeping curved blade; putting the weight towards the end for good chopping power. The long blade gives the user plenty of reach.
Features and Specifications
5” blade
1075 high carbon steel
1/4” down to 3/16” blade thickness
92 lb
full tang
wooden handle with replaceable soft pads
leather sheath
Made in El Salvador
Price/Value
The Condor Parang is expensive for a tool intended for the toughest work. That being said – the quality of the product up its value and this would be a good choice for serious expedition work.
Verdict
This is a well-made machete with a versatile design. Not intended for light-duty brush trimming; choose this blade for heavy chopping work where reach is required.
- Heavy-duty blade for rough work
- Well-designed for variety of tasks
- Attractive knife and sheath
- Cost
3. Golok – Condor Tools and Knife
The Golok is shorter than the Parang, with the blade coming in at 14”. This gives a blade that’s a little easier to control while retaining the weight and strength in its steel.
Features and Specifications
14” blade
1075 high carbon steel
1/4” down to 1/16” blade thickness
3 lb
full tang
wooden handle with replaceable soft pads
leather sheath
Made in El Salvador
Price/Value
This is the most expensive machete in this list. Don’t let that turn you off though, as this is a likely result of popularity and demand. Great value for a machete that’ll go the distance and always be reliable.
Verdict
The Condor Golok is a good all-rounder machete. Its cost may be the deciding factor, but it’s a good investment.
- Versatile, strong blade design
- Quality wooden handle for good grip
- Attractive knife and sheath
- Cost
4. Bear Grylls Parang – Gerber
The Gerber parang won’t break the bank. It’s got weight enough to chop well, but not enough for real heavy-duty work. For a variety of tasks it’ll perform perfectly.
Features and Specifications
5” blade
1/8” blade thickness
9 lb
textured rubber grip
lanyard cord
sheath
rice/Value
The Gerber parang is affordable; but isn’t the cheapest on the market. The Ontario Knife Co. machete is better value. However, for a short bladed machete, this is a choice that many will be happy with.
Verdict
The Bear Grylls parang offers users an affordable machete that won’t take up too much space in a pack or on the belt. It’s a good option for anyone on a budget.
- Affordable
- Comfortable handle
- Made in China
- Isn’t full tang
5. Black Cutlass – Ka-Bar
The Black Cutlass fits the hand well thanks to handle design and the materials used. The blade design compliments this and makes for a short, effective chopper.
Features and Specifications
11” blade
1085 carbon steel
5/32” blade thickness
12 lb
full tang
sheath
Price/Value
This is mid-range in price. It’s probably the best value short-blade machete in this list due to the simple and efficient blade design.
Verdict
This is a short and effective machete designed to do hard work.
- Comfortable in hand
- Forward distribution of weight
- Great design for chopping
- Poor sheath design
6. 2-1249-9 Kukri – Ka-Bar
The Kukri offers plenty of punch, weighing in at 1.7 lb in a blade only 11.5” long. This machete is well suited to a variety of tasks.
Features and Specifications
5” blade
1085 carbon steel
3/16 down to 1/8” blade thickness
7 lb
full tang
sheath
Price/Value
The Ka-Bar Kukri is on the expensive end for what it is. There are better value machetes out there, but the price comes with the name.
Verdict
It fits into the shorter machete niche and is relatively well regarded. It’s a good worker.
- Known for sharpness out-of-the-box
- Good weight distribution
- Durable and rugged
- Made in Taiwan
- Blade finish doesn’t last
7. Schrade SCHKM1
The Schrade offers a shoulder-belt sheath – which is a good idea for keeping the machete out of the way when wandering around in the brush. It also comes with a sharpener and ferro-rod fire starter for the survivalist.
Features and Specifications
3” blade
3CR13 stainless steel
44 lb
full tang
safety grip handle
shoulder sheath
sharpener and ferro-rod included
Price/Value
It is quite affordable and offers reasonable value for money in the shorter end of machetes.
Verdict
This is a decent machete for the price and looks the part. The shoulder sheath and included sharpener and ferro-rod fire starter sweeten the deal.
- Ergonomic and efficient blade design
- Great balance in the hand
- Thick blade
- Doesn’t retain edge well
- Reported blade failures
8. 10” - Kershaw
The Kershaw fills the gap between pocket knife and machete because of its size. Keep it sharp and it’ll perform a variety of cutting tasks, or put it to work chopping and trimming.
Features and Specifications
10” blade
65Mn steel
1/4” blade thickness
1 lb 3 oz
Powder coated blade
rubber handle moulded over tang
sheath
Price/Value
This is another mid-range machete. The Kershaw is appreciated for its ergonomic design but value-for-money is mid-range too.
Verdict
The Kershaw 10” machete is a short blade ‘crossover’ between knife and machete. It’s a good choice for light work and odd-jobs around camp; but don’t choose it for heavy duty clearing.
- Blade holds edge well
- Comfortable to use
- Well balanced knife
- Not technically full tang blade
- Blades are sometimes faulty
9. Gator - Gerber
The Gator weighs in at 1.1 lb which is the lightest knife on the list. This makes it great for those who can’t swing all day. It also makes it effective for light work, and the thinner blade is effective in this regard.
Features and Specifications
18” blade
1 lb
nylon sheath
Price/Value
The value of this machete comes through low cost. For a light-duty, knock-around knife you can’t really go wrong.
Verdict
While it may not have the bells and whistles of some of the other contenders, the Gerber Gator offers enough utility and value to make the top ten list.
- low cost
- Well-made for light work
- Low weight
- Blade isn’t full tang
- Sheath doesn’t have belt loop
10. 18” SOGFari MC02N - SOG
Offering a long blade for added reach, and with a straight blade design for simplicity, the SOG is another budget choice for the prospective buyer.
Features and Specifications
18” blade
3CR13 stainless steel
8 lb
serrated saw edge
sheath
Price/Value
Bear in mind there are much better choices on this list.
Verdict
SOG definitely has its followers, and for those wanting a machete that looks the part this might be the choice. If you’re after a hard-working tool, however, you’d be better choosing another machete from the list.
- Low cost
- Comfortable grip
- Low weight
- Lower quality construction and components
Criteria for Evaluation
Place of Manufacture
Where a knife is made tells the buyer a lot about what to expect from it. Most machetes are produced in China – which is fine – but the steels commonly used are of variable quality. That’s why the number one on the list is a knife made in the U.S.A – you just know what to expect from steel produced there.
Steel Type
The type of steel used in manufacture is important for all knives – and machetes are no different. They have certain requirements from the steel used for the blade if they are to perform adequately. Steels of increased hardness – generally those with a high percentage of carbon – are a must for any machete to stand up to regular use.
Tang Type
The tang of a machete is the extension of the blade fitting into the handle. For a tool that experienced a great deal of shock and jarring blows, a full tang that extends through the entire length of the handle is best, as there is an extremely low chance of failure. Blades that don’t have a full tang are liable to break free of the handle, rendering the machete useless.
Blade Length
It’s important to cover the range of blade lengths in order to provide useful choices for varied applications. Long blades, up to 18”, are bordering on swords and are restricted to heavy-duty chopping and brush-clearing. Indeed, they are perfectly suited to this task. However, many machete users are looking for a more versatile brush-cutter and wood-chopper – and for this task short blades are best. These machetes with a blade length of 10 to 15 inches make accurate and fast chopping – a far safer option for work completed close to the body or in a crowded camp site.
Price
You get what you pay for, always. The important considerations for machetes in steel quality – this is the most regulating factor in machete performance. Spending money on quality steel will ensure that you get a tool designed to work and last well into the future.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Machete
Your machete’s blade is the part that will do the work and one that you will want to ensure remains in the best working condition. How you look after the blade depends on the material from which it is made. The two common materials used in making these blades are stainless steel and carbon steel. Guard against rust forming on the blade. Blades manufactured using carbon steel corrode easily while the ones made from stainless steel are often able keep their sparkle. The rust on blades is a result of moisture and in order to ensure that this doesn’t happen, you will need to oil the blade. Use a thin layer of non-detergent oil.
If the machete has been in contact with any moisture, always ensure that you dry it thoroughly. Also, ensure that you store it in an area that is dry.
Maintaining the handle
It doesn’t matter how sharp or well looked after your machete blade is; if the handle is not given the same care you won’t be able to use it effectively. If the handle is made from plastic, there isn’t much maintenance required except making sure that it is not exposed to heat. With wooden handles, more work will need to be done. At regular intervals, apply furniture oil or lemon oil. Also ensure that the handle doesn’t dry too much as this could result in cracking. When oiling the handle, ensure that the layer of oil is very thin and you wipe the handle off with a piece of cloth after oiling. Slippery handles can pose a safety hazard.
Cleaning the blade
The tips we give above will keep the machete in great condition, but it’s possible that you’ve already made a mistake and left it to accumulate some rust and dirt. Even though restoring it to the state in which it was when new may be difficult, it’s still possible. One of the common methods of cleaning the blade is to use a citrus-based paint remover. Give the paint remover a chance to penetrate the rust before using a course steel wool to rub off the rust or dirt. The course steel wool will leave the blade slightly rough. Hence, you will need to keep working down until you are using a fine steel wool that will leave the blade with a nice shine. Once you have dried the blade, run a thin layer of oil and follow all the tips we have given above.
If your machete is in use most of the time, you will notice that it self polishes. You’ll need to keep the blade sharp so that it cuts deep enough to clean itself. If you don’t use the machete a lot, it will be advisable to keep a chemical rust remover and a wire brush in your toolbox for cleaning.
Keeping the blade sharp
Even though the edge of your machete does not need to be razor sharp, it still needs to be sharp enough to cut. To keep the blade sharp, you can either take yours to the knife shop or do it at home. How sharp you make yours will depend on how you want to use it. If you are going to sharpen the tool at home, you will need to get a standard sharpening stone.
Storing the machete
It’s important that you take care where you store your machete. Find a place which is dry, as moisture is the machete blade’s number one enemy. If you find out some rust is starting to form, it could be an indication that the area was you have placed the tool has some moisture. Clean off the rust using the tips given above and find a new place to store the machete. While some people would advise that the machete should be kept inside a sheath when not in use, this could be a disadvantage as it is possible that moisture can accumulate inside and lead to rust. If you still think that it is a good idea to keep it in the sheath, apart from oiling it, ensure that you check the blade at regular intervals. It is important to ensure that you keep the machete out of the reach of people to whom it could be a danger.
FAQs
Do all machetes come with a full tang?
No. It’s important to find out whether a machete has a full tang as this is a big factor in the resilience of the knife. Full tang options are always better than half-tang.
Will my machete cut down small trees?
It’s a common question, and a difficult one to answer. It depends on the type of machete to start. Those with thin blades aren’t designed for this kind of work – they’re better suited to softer materials. Thick bladed machetes, especially those with long blades, are fully capable of chopping down the odd tree – but don’t start hacking into a giant! Machetes aren’t axes – they can only do what they were designed to do. A trick is to work on your swing and timing, using the momentum of the blade to cut – rather than attacking a tree with all the power you can muster. You’ll tire yourself out, and probably fracture the blade.
Will it come sharp?
It’ll come sharp enough for a machete. These tools aren’t designed to be razor sharp for a reason. The sharper an edge is, the finer it is – which is easiest to chip or bend over. A machete should have a suitably wedge-shaped edge that it can withstand chopping into things. By all means keep the machete sharp, but maintain this robust edge for best performance.
Should I get a heavy one?
Again, it depends on the intended use. If you can’t swing your machete without wearing yourself out, then perhaps it’s too heavy. But weight is good in transferring energy efficiently, meaning that you have to work less. Heavy blades are better for heavy work and lots of cutting. Lighter blades are better for finer work and light-duty brush trimming.
Does it have a double edge?
Most machetes have one cutting edge. This is somewhat safer, as swinging a double-bladed, 18” knife around can cause all sorts of damage to the user and those around them. For most cutting work, one blade is all you need anyway. There are certain specialise designs that have two edges, made for cutting through light jungle vegetation and grass.
The Final Choice
There are so many machetes on the market that it can be hard to narrow down to a single choice. The list included here offers a range of machetes suitable to a variety of tasks, and makes the search that much easier. Decide what you’re going to use the machete for and base your choice on that, bearing in mind that quality steel is always best for a hard-working machete.
