I am the accidental machete collector. My problem, if it is a problem, is that when I see something I like, I tend to acquire it. Do this enough times, and one suddenly has a sub collection on ones hands. Thus I have slowly accrued a nice little machete collection. Time to show and tell.
A note first. I only noticed the spots in the carpet due to the camera. To the eye, it is barely noticeable. Looks like one of my guard cats decided to make a faint Jackson Pollock piece of art. It is now gone as I went upstairs and cleaned the spots after the photo shoot. Just in case you were wondering.
First up, the Gerber Machetes.
Gerber Bear Grylls ParangFirst off, a bit of information about Prangs in general.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parang_(knife)Now let us look at the BG Parang. As far as machetes go, this one feels the business with its shape and heavy steel build. However, with that said, this is one piece of gear with a tainted past...
http://www.gerbergear.com/Frontpage/Meet-Gerber/Product-Info/Product-Notifications/Bear-Grylls-Parang-RecallThe sheath is very nice and well made, with some air emergency signals sewn to the back of it.
I know that BG gear is not to everyone's taste, but for me, I do like the contrasting colours, and the highlight of the whole series, is that rubber textured grip. There is also a lanyard which you can loop around the handle to prevent your hand from slipping and possibly getting lacerated...provided you don't have one of the older models that may self implode at the handle, doing the job for you. Otherwise, this one feels very nice in the hand, with a nice forward weight that will help you cut, slash, and terrorize the local foliage.
Specifications: Bear Grylls Parang Machete
Overall Length:19.5
Blade Length:14
Blade Material:High Carbon
Handle Material:Tac Hide
Sheath:Nylon
Weight:19.4
Country of Origin:China
Gerber Machete ProThis is apparently the top end of Gerber Machetes. The Machete Pro has a neat branch cutter on the back side that makes it look like something out of Moordore.
the sheath must fit the tool, and this one has a rivet right in the center that you much hook the tool around. You don't slide this machete out, but must push forward and around to get the tool out. It took me 3 tries before I got the hang of it. Because of this, there should be no worries of this tool falling out if you ever find yourself upside down and forgot to Velcro the sheath around the machete.
After doing a little bit of digging, it looks like the Machete Pro is a knock off design-wise, of the Woodsman's Pal that was created back in 41. Either way, the Machete Pro is a very nice design and constructed machete.
Specifications: Gerber Gator Machete Pro
Overall Length:16.5
Blade Length:10.5
Blade Material:1075
Handle Material:Gator Grip
Sheath:Nylon
Weight:18
Country of Origin:China
Gerber Gator JrWhen I first bought this, I thought I had the full sized Gator. I really didn't look at the packaging when I first got it, as it ended up in the bin rather quickly. Then someone told me I had the junior version...meaning I had to also get the full sized Gator. The smaller junior is also a nice machete, but the blade is rather thin on this version and thus tends to flex somewhat. I prefer to have a little more wight behind a swing. On the plus side, there is a functional saw on the backbone which does add to its flexibility. The Gator Jr is not designed to clear heavy jungle, but for camping, it is a worthy addition. The Junior, being smaller, is also a lot easier to carry around.
The sheath of both the Gator and Gator Junion have a nice piece of plastic running down the sheath where it meets the saw. No worries of the saw getting caught up in the nylon sheath. Not sure how long the plastic reinforcement would last under heavy use however.
The original Gator Jr suffered from a recall. The first production run had a poorly shaped handled that made it all too easy for the user's hand to move upwards during use. The newer run, which this is an example, has a newly designed handle that prevents this from happening. Likewise, the newer machetes all feature lanyards which you wrap around the handle preventing hand movement, as it forms a soft knuckle guard.
Specifications: Gerber Machete Jr
Overall Length:18.75
Blade Length:10.75
Blade Material:High Carbon
Handle Material:Gator Grip
Sheath:Nylon
Weight:14
Country of Origin:China
Gerber GatorMuch like the smaller jr, the Gator is of the same sawback build...only much longer. I still find the blade to be a little thin and not enough weight for my preference, but I did try this out and it works as advertized.
Hanging off a belt is a bit much for something so long. I tried it and if flopped all over the place.
I also found an issue with using the saw. During my testing, I found that the whole thing was a bit long and awkward to properly use the saw efficiently. I love the saw's length, but I couldn't apply enough leverage to really do some work in each stroke. I ended up using a piece of tough leather to protect my hand on the blade. That did the trick...if a bit dangerous. Much like the jr, the Gator also had the same design flaw in the handle, resulting in a recall. Newer versions, which this is an example, have the newer updated handle.
Specifications: Gator Machete
Overall Length:25.7
Blade Length:18
Blade Material:High Carbon
Handle Material:Gator Grip
Sheath:Nylon
Weight:18
Country of Origin:China
That is it for the Gerber machetes.
Camillus Les Stroud SK Jungle Survival MacheteDesigned to compete with the Gerber Bear Grylls lineup, is in many ways, Bear's competitor, Les Stroud. Both host survival shows, etc. This one is from Camillus, which feature the Les Stroud lineup. This is the Machete of the series. This is a very nice piece, and like the BG machete, the sheath features a few tricks.
The front of the sheath contains a nice fire starter which fits a grove on the top of the machete blade. The backside also features a map mesh pouch which is perfect to store Les's version of his one page survival guide. A lot nicer then the vinyl air signals patch with one side not sewn found on the backside of the BG Parang.
I will say, the Camillus Les Stroud survival knives are ok in that they haven't caused me to question their quality. However, after buying the Camillus Les Stroud multi-tool, I was taken aback at how poorly designed, and executed that tool was. This got me to thinking about this machete, and true enough, it didn't take me long to see plenty of folks complaining about their Les Stroud SK Jungle machete breaking on them after use. I have't used mine yet...but such things do not lend me any confidence in this tool. A shame, as it really feels good in the hand, with a nice weight to it. So buyer beware.
Blade Style: machete blade
Blade Length: 12" (31 cm)
Blade Steel Grade: titanium bonded 440A stainless steel
Knife Weight: 22 oz (624 g)
Handle Details: fiberglass reinforced nylon with rubber overmold
Sheath Details: nylon sheath
Non-stick blade
Fire starter
Knurled steel pommel
Trail pouch
Camillus CarnivoreHere is a smallish machete made by Camillus. I found this one at a local TSC for around 20 bucks on sale. I couldn't resist it at that price. Like the Camillus Les Stroud machete, this one also features plenty of online folks calling this one junk. I sense a trend here with Camillus machetes.
This one does feature a nice velvety rubberized handle that is super comfortable. I think of this as a very large knife...seeing that it is half serrated. There is also a notch on the backside for cutting smaller branches, wires, belts, etc.
The sheath is pretty if your into that sort of thing with a lot of advertising. Myself, I would have preferred something a little more subdued.
Like the Les Stroud machete, this is also Titanium coated for what that is worth.
18" Titanium Bonded® Carnivore® Machete with Ballisitc Nylon Sheath
Full Tang 440 Stainless Steel, Titanium Bonded
Multi-Grind Blade
ABS Handle
12" Blade with Chisel, Cutting, Sawing and Wire Cutter Capabilities
Cold Steel PangaFrom a company that makes around 20 different machetes, the Panga is an interesting design.
Taken from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacheteThe panga or tapanga is a variant used in East and Southern Africa. This name may be of Swahili etymology; not to be confused with the Panga fish. The panga blade broadens on the backside and has a length of 16 to 18 inches (41 to 46 cm). The upper inclined portion of the blade may be sharpened.[17]
This tool has been used as a weapon: during the Mau Mau Uprising; in the Rwandan Genocide; in South Africa particularly in the 1980s and early 1990s when the former province of Natal was wracked by conflict between the African National Congress and the Zulu-nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party.[18]
Of course, when I bought it, I didn't know anything of its history...but just like the shape.
The sheath features two snap fasteners to hold the machete in place. The handle is nice, big, and comfortable. There is also a lanyard hole.
The shape is what attracted me at first. This is a nice design. I tried it out a few time and worked every time. Very little hand shock due to the handle material.
PANGA MACHETE
Blade Length: 16"
Overall Length: 21 5/8"
Steel: 1055 Carbon Steel w/ Black Baked on Anti Rust Matte Finish
Weight: 19 oz
Blade Thickness: 2 mm
Handle: 5 5/8" Long Polypropylene
Sheath: Cor-Ex® Sheath
I would be remise if I didn't link to a few Cold Steel videos.
Cold Steel Gladius MacheteHere is one I couldn't resist. It comes razor sharp. A lot sharper than your average machete. It also has a super sharp point...something you don't see on your average machete. Not much need to stab trees and foliage. However, this didn't stop Cold Steel in producing, what is essentially a robust machete based on the Roman Gladius. Yeah, you have to wonder what were they thinking. Come to think of it...you might thing the same of me for buying it in the first place. I have no regrets.
The sheath is a nice thing, with two pieces of reinforcing plastic plates sandwiched around the nylon sheath. Proper reinforcing rivets are evident at the distal end...because this machete is freaking sharp and pointy as all get out.
The handle is nice, big, and comfortable. There is even an attachment point for a lanyard if you so choose.
GLADIUS MACHETE
Blade Length: 18"
Overall Length: 25 7/8"
Steel: 1055 Carbon Steel w/ Black Baked on Anti Rust Matte Finish
Weight: 27.2 oz (approx.)
Blade Thickness: 2.8 mm
Handle: 7 7/8" Long. Polypropylene
Sheath: Cor-Ex Sheat
Cold Steel Two Handed MacheteNow I am ready for the zombie hordes. This two handed machete is nice and light and well balanced. I took a few swipes at some backyard brush and this thing ate them line nothing. You can use this either with one or two hands. Unfortunately, no sheath for this monster, but I could always make one out of leather if I have a mind to it.
TWO HANDED MACHETE
Blade Length: 11 1/4"
Overall Length: 32"
Steel: 1055 Carbon Steel w/ Black Baked on Anti Rust Matte Finish
Weight: 30.9 oz
Blade Thickness: 2 mm
Handle: 20 3/4" Polypropylene