Best Machete Reviews: Top Rated for Survival

Machetes are useful for hunting, gardening and more. However, they come in different sizes, materials and styles to fit the particular purpose you want it for. How can you find a product that fits your need? There is a lot to consider before getting a machete. This buying guide contains all the top machetes and their specifications and uses to help you to make an informed decision.

Best Machete Reviews

Product	Details
1. SOG Safari Machete	Our Top Pick	Blade: 18 inches, 3CR13 stainless steel Handle: Kraton rubber Sheath: Nylon	Check Current Price
2. Condor Golok Machete		Blade: 14 inches, 1075 high carbon stainless steel Handle: Walnut handle Sheath: 100 percent leather sheath	Check Current Price
3. Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete		Blade: 13.5 inches, high carbon steel Handle: Rubberized handle Sheath: Nylon sheath	Check Current Price
4. Gerber Gator Machete		Blade: 18 inches, high carbon steel Handle: Gator grip rubberized handle Sheath: Nylon sheath	Check Current Price
5. Tramontina Machete		Blade: 18 inches, high carbon steel Handle: Wood Sheath: No sheath	Check Current Price
6. Ontario Black Military Grade Machete		Blade: 18 inches, high carbon steel Handle: Molded and riveted plastic Sheath: No sheath	Check Current Price

1. SOG Safari Machete

The SOG Safari machete comes in an exquisite well-balanced design. It features an 18-inch machete with a robust high carbon steel material to make it durable and lightweight. The lightweight nature of the tool makes cutting and sawing less stressful. The blade features a straight cutting edge and a saw back. The double edge blades come sharpened when you purchase the tool. This machete is very useful for any high energy tasks you wish to perform.

This product comes with 6 inches well-balanced and contoured Kraton rubber handle that does not slip off while working. The handle is very light and grips firmly to the hand during use. Therefore, there is no worry even while working during wet seasons. In addition, the rubber handle includes some holes for adding lanyards.

The machete comes with a sturdy nylon sheath with a belt loop attachment, which is very useful if you are walking a long distance. This sheath is useful both for preventing the machete from rust and corrosion and also for carrying the machete from one place to the other.

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2. Condor Golok Machete

Condor Golok machete is one of the best machetes you can get in the market. The 14-inch blade of the Condor Golok machete is made of high carbon steel (1075) tang for durability. This quality product features a 100 percent high-quality leather sheath for safe storage and a belt loop. We like the aesthetic look and the epoxy black powder coat blade finish that resists rust and corrosion after a long time.

If you are in need of a portable machete to clear bushes, cut down branches, bamboo, thick vegetation or other things in the garden, you will find this tool very useful. While choosing a machete, most people would prefer a portable machete that provides a warm and comfortable feeling while working, the walnut handle of this product suits that purpose by sitting in your grip perfectly. The Condor Golok Machete blade has the capacity to combine the function of a chopping axe and a slicing machete with ease. This machete weighs 7 ounces and it comes in brown or black color, so you can choose any color that suits your style.

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3. Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete

The Gerber Bear Grylls machete is another quality blade from Gerber, a company whose name is a household name in the sale of standard machetes. If you are looking for a quality machete for clearing bushes, cutting firewood, gardening, and camping, this is a perfect pick for you. The Gerber Bear Grylls is a functional machete that features a 13.5 inches long carbon steel blade, it is easy to sharpen and corrosion-resistant. In addition to the durability of this product, it also has a well-honed edge that you can sharpen easily at home.

The machete comes with an ergonomic rubber handle that provides a comfortable and firm grip, allowing for maximum control even during wet conditions. This product also has full tang Construction made of carbon steel that you can hold very well, making the tool feel more comfortable to hold.  However, the nylon sheath of this product is a concern as the sharp edges can cut through the stitches over time.

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4. Gerber Gator Machete

The Gerber Gator machete is a quality product with unique features that can make your work efficient. This product features an attractive design and it is cheaper compared to other top-notch machetes in the market. One unique feature of the Gerber Gator machete is that it comes with both a saw and blade edge that provides a multi-purpose use and a large cutting area. Therefore, this machete can work as a saw for chopping and as a blade for cutting at the same time.

All you need is to switch to whichever edge you require for the task at hand. The saw edge is 18 inches long while the fine edge is 15 inches long. The two well-sharpened steel blade edges are a great plus to this product. Therefore, clearing of bushes and grasses, trimming of trees or skinning of animals can be done conveniently with this tool.

Just as you require in a quality machete, the handle of this product is made of ergonomic rubber, which provides a better grip and more flexibility when used. This rubber handle also gives you better control of the tool when used.

The ergonomic rubber handle of the Gerber Gator machete provides greater security and confidence because the machete cannot slip off your hand while working in any weather condition. This product comes with a perfect fitted all-weather nylon sheath that enables the carrying of the machete from one place to the other. The nylon sheath can be used to store the machete after use.

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5. Tramontina Machete

The Tramontina machete is a big machete that comes with a Brazilian made beauty. It features an 18-inch high carbon steel blade with a traditional machete curve at the front. The Tramontina blade is very impressive and easy to wield. Its overall length is 23 inches yet it is lightweight and well balanced even during wet seasons. This highly rated machete comes with a natural color smooth wooden handle that makes it easy to use.

If you have used other machetes with rubber or polymer handles that have shattered or spoiled over time, this product will provide you with a better experience.  This is because the Tramontina features a lovely designed handle, with four pins fixing it to the blade, which gives you extra security for long-term use. You do not need to worry about sharpening the edges of this machete, as it is easy to sharpen.

One of the downsides of this product is that it does not come with a leather sheath that can be used for storage and to prevent rust. It only comes with a nylon sheath that covers the blade when you purchase it. This nylon sheath is useless after purchase and so you may need to buy a leather sheath separately. A gerber survival knife can be a very good alternative to it.

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6. Ontario Black Military Grade Machete

The Ontario black military-grade machete is one of the best machetes available out there. A credible US company reputed for making machetes for over 60 years manufactured this machete. The handle is made of a molded and riveted plastic, which makes the machete more durable and comfortable to use. The overall length of this machete is 24 inches. Ontario machete features a high sharp carbon steel blade of 18inch hardened to 50-55HRC. This makes the process of bush clearing and trimming of trees in the yard an effortless experience.

The product does not feature a fancy look but it guarantees quality performance. This machete is capable of withstanding harsh environments and treatment. The rugged nature of this product is one of the reasons it is referred to as a military-grade machete. This machete is designed with inspiration from concealed boot knife but with different swing pace. In addition, the machete comes in an attractive black color.

Therefore, it is a good pick if you need a machete that can be useful on the farm and can as well serve as a survivor tool. However, we wish to inform you that this machete does not come with a sheath. Hence, you may need to buy a sheath or improvise one as you please for storage and transportation.

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Buying Guide: Key Considerations When Buying A Machete

At the point of making the decision on which machete to buy, there are some important factors that are essential to guide you in your decision-making process. Your intended use for the machete will determine the kind of machete you will buy. Check this article on survival knife guide to completely understand the art of survival and survival weaponry.  However, there are basic, crucial features you need to look out for in a machete before purchase. Here are some of the vital factors you need to put into consideration.

Blade Style

An important factor to note in the purchase of a machete is the style of the blade.  There are different blade styles available. Your preference for any style of a machete is dependent on the purpose, experience and personal style. Some of the common blade styles are bush, kukri, cane, parang, billhooks and bolo machete.

Machete Blade Length

The length of most machetes ranges from 10 inches to 28 inches, with 18 inches being the most common length. Machetes with smaller blades are quite portable only that they have less effect, thus it may require more time and energy due to the length. Long blades, on the other hand, provide the opportunity to clear larger areas in less time, the only point of concern is the convenience in transporting it alongside other equipment.

Tang

The tang is another feature that should be considered in your choice of a machete. The part of the machete that connects the blade and the hand together by extending into the grip is called the tang.

Handle Material and Design

Most machete handles come with three materials namely rubber, wood, and polymer. There are advantages and disadvantages to the type of material used to make the handle of a machete. Rubber handle machetes feature great grip and it is easy to use. However, the rubber may tear and becomes difficult to hold with increased use.

Wooden handle machetes are strong and easy to grip but it also possesses the tendency to crack when exposed to liquid content. Polymer handle machetes are relatively cheaper and require less maintenance but may not be effective during wet seasons or conditions, as it tends to slip away during use. If you think a machete is not something for you then a good combat tomahawk is more effective.

Conclusion

A Machete is a simple, useful tool that provides great efficiency. Machetes play an important role in homes and camping sites. The SOG safari machete is our pick in this review. We believe that this machete will serve you the best because of its multi-purpose use. In addition to the quality handle and the price of this product over other products, the pre-sharpened saw and blade edges of the machete give it an edge over other products.

This product was picked as the best because it seems to possess most of the features that buyers look forward to. There are other products with unique features in this review. We, therefore, recommend that you pick the option that best suits your needs and budget.