Machete reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 250 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 46 posts to rank the best Machete brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Bushcraft, r/knives, r/Axecraft, r/behindthebastards, r/preppers. Top-rated brands include Tramontina (4.5/5), Cold Steel (4.3/5), Condor (4.2/5).
Stats
Reviews250
Subreddits20
Posts46
Brands65
Products61
250 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Tramontina
4.5
(68)
"Get an 18" Tramontina. Less than $20 and easily customizable if you ever need to."
"Tromontia and imacasa probably make the best real machetes."
"Tramontina and Imacasa/Condor make excellent working machetes."
"I'm a big fan of tramontana, they need a little tlc out of the box, but they're indestructible."
"Tramontina’s are excellent."
"I have that tramontina bolo machete and it's a tank, definitely worth the price"
"The tramontina bolo is an excellent option. the extra weight at the end really helps deliver power."
"I have one going on 23 years old and I have put it through hell and back. Still solid as a rock."
"Bellota and Tramontina are the way to go."
"Need a machete for actual use and not a wall hanging display piece? Get a Tramontina. Done."
#2
Cold Steel
4.3
(26)
"I've carried a Cold Steel Panga machete for over 20 years."
"I’d bring my cold steel kukri, it looks like a machete, but can function like an axe."
"Their kukri machete is the finest I've had the pleasure of using."
"Cold steel Kukri machete!"
"Cold Steel gladius machete. Pointy and effective."
"It's a great machete and has held an edge through taking down tons of vines, bamboo, and several small trees."
"Cold steel makes a solid "trench shovel" with a sharpened edge that can handle machete work."
"Cold Steel's line of machetes. ESPECIALLY their Kukri line."
"Can’t go wrong with Cold Steel. They’re cheap and they last forever."
"I've got a cold steel kukri that I've used daily for about 7/8 years."
#3
Condor
4.2
(25)
"Condor Makara - long handle for good mechanical leverage and extra reach."
"Condor makes the best machetes"
"I have abused a condor for 11 years. Hard use. It performs amazingly well."
"Just got another condor. Definitely the first that came to mind after clearing banana trees in one slice with them."
"Condor Knife and Tool is my general top pick for a machete like this."
"I'm a fan of Condor Knife and Tool. Very sturdily built and a wide variety of styles."
"Condor mini duku."
"I take the condor golok.light, enough power,can handle a lot of tasks,notntoo big/small,steel is tough, easy to sharpen, secure handle"
"Condor bushcraft parang would be my go to."
"Condor bushcraft parang would be my go to."
#4
Fiskars
4.3
(10)
"The best tool for brush is the Fiskars brush axe. The geometry is perfect, it holds an edge better than machetes, it’s light weight, and it’s cheap."
"Fiskars Brush Axe. Amazing tool that can handle hard chopping."
"None have served me as well as the Fiskars Brush Axe, I use that monster for everything."
"I’ve only tried Fiskars, but it works great."
"Yes that fiskar is badass"
"It does the job pretty well."
"Fiskars has a few good ones for relatively cheap."
"An fiskars"
"Fiskers makes some great ones and at reasonable prices"
"Last time i asked this people put me onto the fiskars machete."
#5
Machete
3.9
(9)
"I have a machete on me at all times. Always go machete."
"The basic, cheap, Latin style machetes they sell are excellent for actual usage."
"Not all machetes are created equal. I would get a machete with a firm, more rigig blade."
"I like machetes, but it depends on the terrain and vegetation"
"Get a cheap 18ish inch machete with a scabbard."
"Buy the $50 machete."
"Look up 'machete with stainless steel' The humidity in kansas is bad, so I stick with stainless, and Florida probably needs it more."
"I have this 12” model strapped to my pack."
"Don't! They're paper thin. I've got 2, and the edges look like I've been using them for target practice."
#6
Gerber
3.9
(9)
"The Gerber Gator. Excellent tool. Good value for the money."
"Gerber Gator Machete is fairly good for the price. It works well, and I love it."
"Gerber that ace hardware sells hasn’t failed me."
"I like the handle on mine. Its really grippy."
"Gerber has a decent one, also the Schrade one is okay as well."
"My wife has been enjoying the Gerber Gator Jr. for yard work."
"Gerber and Fiskars are readily available brands that have lasted me for years."
"A small Gerber machete is perfect."
"Gerber is not a good brand and I wouldn’t trust them with anything you plan to do real work with."
#7
Ontario Knife Company
4.3
(8)
"IME ontario knife company is the best but a bit expensive and damn near bomb proof."
"The $25 Ontario is the way to go, just gotta order the sheath too."
"These are great options , I would add Ontario to this list , them and coldsteel are the most durable of the 4."
"OKC had an amazing one, if you can find one still."
"Ontario Knife Company makes a very good one."
"If you're looking for chopping... an Ontario knife company kukri works."
"Https://ontarioknife.com/collections/machetes-2"
"Buy an Ontario or Kabar kukri"
#8
Kershaw
4.4
(5)
"I really like the feel of it so far."
"I have the kershaw camp 10 and it’s a beast."
"I like my Kershaw camp 10"
"That Kershaw is a great knife if you need something to get through brush and light chopping."
"What about the kershaw camp 10?"
#9
Kukri
4.2
(5)
"For a machete I would prefer a kukri (Ghurka) style."
"Rather than machete get a kukuri, basically a machete hatchet."
"Look for a kukra."
"Kukris are pretty awesome for those."
"Kukri"
#10
Imacasa
4.2
(5)
"In that case: Imacasa, Tramontina or Ontario will do👍"
"Get an Imacasa or a Tramontina (Ontario is also good)."
"Honestly I’d get something inexpensive but good quality like a Tramontina or Imacasa."
"You could either get him a machete from Imacasa or Tramontina, both cost less than $20usd."
"Imacasa."
#11
Ontario
4.2
(5)
"18 or 22” Ontario machete depending on the type of reach you need vs leverage."
"Ontario Machetes are really good with a decent weight."
"I like the 18” Ontario knife."
"Ontario machetes are a little heavy but their Cutlass style ones are fantastic tools and weapons."
"It's thicker than the Coleman, and really it's just a step up from machete toward parang."
#12
Ex Gurkha Kukri House
4.3
(4)
"They are really heavy duty. Big and heavy. They have held up very well."
"All of their products are well build with decent steel, but they are not fancy or flashy, just good basic blades."
"EGKH (ex gurka kukri house) sells on amazon"
"I used “ex Gurkha kukri” about 10 years ago and love the one I got."
#13
Fiskars Brush Axe
5.0
(3)
"The Fiskars Brush Axe really is exponentially better than a machete."
"Here’s another vote for the Fiskars Brush Axe."
"[Fiskars Brush Axe] is one of my favorite tools."
#14
Corona
4.7
(3)
"Corona makes my favorite machete for Florida."
"My pick is the Corona 10 inch."
"Corona makes a great machete like this."
#15
Kailash Blades
4.3
(3)
"Kailash Blades Kukri. Panawal is the full tang version."
"Kukri from Kailash Blades."
"So, it's not a typical machete but why not go for a handmade Kukri from Kailash Blades."
#16
Varusteleka
4.3
(3)
"No other knife in that price range even compares. If you wanna do knife stuff too, consider the Skrama 200, it still excels at chopping, but if youre just wantinf a chopper, get the 240."
"There's the Varusteleka Terava Skrama made in neighbouring Finland, definitely more of a chopper than a machete, but should suit your climate and usage better."
"I would look at something like a Leuku or the Sarma Skrama from Varusteleka"
#17
Marbles
4.0
(3)
"I bought my dad a Marbles folder pocket knife that was super discounted at Ace Hardware and it’s just a great little knife."
"Good ones: Marbles, Cold Steel, Ontario, True Temper"
"Marbles are pretty good for the price, good looking too in a color you won't lose."
#18
Woodsmans Pal
5.0
(2)
"Woodsman pal. Made in the USA and been around for ages."
"Woodsmans pal is worth considering. Mine has been awesome."
#19
Kukri Machete
5.0
(2)
"Pickup a cold steel kukri machete they rip through literally anything."
"I personally pack a Kukri machete and a smallish folding saw."
#20
Harbor Freight
4.5
(2)
"Just go to harbor freight and buy all the machetes they have, leave a couple in each room just to be safe."
"I bought one at harbor freight that’s a beast! ... The thing just keeps chugging no matter what I put it through!"
#21
KA-BAR
4.5
(2)
"Kabar makes Kukri that is on the smaller size for a machete."
"I love my ka-bar kukri. It's not ornate but definitely cool looking in it's own right."
#22
ESEE
4.5
(2)
"The best one i have used is from ESEE."
"If you want to spend a lot I think ESEE and TOPS make some also."
#23
Tramontina Machete
4.0
(2)
"Tramontia machetes."
"Tramontina style machete. With sheath (you'll probably have to buy separately one that fits), less than $50."
#24
Ka-Bar
4.0
(2)
"+1 for Kabar"
"Ka-bar makes a pretty solid one."
#25
Collin's
4.0
(2)
"Id love to have one of those Collin's engineer bolos. Pretty interesting yours has a guard."
"Collin’s No 87"
#26
Hansa
5.0
(1)
"The best two I’ve ever handled are the Hansa 18" 191 Lampòn machete, and the sadly discontinued Marbles MR374"
#27
Flores Cortés
5.0
(1)
"Forged ones still made in Spain (by Flores Cortés) as well as one model from Italian Rinaldi (+ forged forest wood choppers and billhooks from Rinaldi and Falci). I have house full of these now."
#28
Martindale
5.0
(1)
"Martindale 24" with a wood handle."
#29
Gerber Gator Jr
5.0
(1)
"I like the gerber gator Jr or short machete."
#30
Amazon
5.0
(1)
"This one is the best and it's only $4"
#31
Bolo Machete
5.0
(1)
"Years ago I bought a bolo machete. Best $12 I ever spent."
#32
Panga
5.0
(1)
"If you have room and weight allowance for a machete, I recommend a Panga."
#33
Weed Slasher
5.0
(1)
"Weed Slasher"
#34
Expedition Cleaver
5.0
(1)
"Have u/kailashblades make you one of these."
#35
Duku Chandong
5.0
(1)
"I personally like the Malaysian style parang, with contoured handle and heavier blade."
#36
Barebones
5.0
(1)
"I like this one quite a lot: Beautiful."
#37
BK7
5.0
(1)
"Buy a BK7 instead."
#38
OKC
5.0
(1)
"The okc 18" is super comfortable for me."
#39
Condor Parang
5.0
(1)
"I'm a big fan of the various products by Condor. I've got a parang by them that is wonderful."
#40
Gavilan
4.0
(1)
"Gavilan any one of those are great and aren't expensive"
#41
Corneta
4.0
(1)
"Corneta any one of those are great and aren't expensive"
#42
Himalayan Imports
4.0
(1)
"Clear that brushy in style and get yourself a Himalayan Imports Kukri."
#43
Zenport
4.0
(1)
"It’s less of a machete and more of a sickle, but I found it to be super useful for lots of stuff."
#44
Bush
4.0
(1)
"There Bush Cutlass (it's actually a saber) is pretty decent also."
#45
Sportsmans Guide
4.0
(1)
"Sportsmans Guide has a 5 pack columbian machete set. All are solid"
#46
Estwing
4.0
(1)
"Estwing is good last forever bout time for me to get one."
#47
Gurkha Style Kukri
4.0
(1)
"I’d go Gurkha style Kukri and have a solid wooden handle chopping axe."
#48
Tora Kukri
4.0
(1)
"Tora Kukri, Khukuri House, Cold Steel, Condor."
#49
Khukuri House
4.0
(1)
"Check out Khukuri House."
#50
Colombian Military Surplus
4.0
(1)
"I picked up a five pack of "Columbian Military Surplus" machetes for 20 bucks a couple years ago."
#51
Linder
4.0
(1)
"I’m a big fan of the Linder Rostfrei line."
#52
Aranyik
4.0
(1)
"Aranyik"
#53
SOGfari
4.0
(1)
"SOGfari Kukri MC11-N is my daily."
#54
Condor Kukri
4.0
(1)
"A kukri is a good in-between that does nothing as greatly as either, but still do more than both. Condor heavy duty kukri is a cheap decent starting point for one."
#55
Brush Axe
4.0
(1)
"Think I'd have to go with a brush axe design in the SHTF machete category."
#56
Cold Steel, Tramontina
4.0
(1)
"I use a lot of cold steel and tramotina for abuse, and light work."
#57
Tramontina, Imacasa
4.0
(1)
"A $12usd Tramontina or Imacasa will do fine."
#58
Collins
4.0
(1)
"Try to find the machetes that are made in Brazil, names escapes right now, but that will be your best bet unless you can find a older Collins that was USA made."
#59
Walmart
4.0
(1)
"I actually like the $4 walmart jobs."
#60
Sniper Blade Works
4.0
(1)
"Smatchet is the way to go."
#61
Military Surplus
4.0
(1)
"Military surplus has always been my go to."
#62
Khukri
4.0
(1)
"If I was looking for a shorter machete, I would probably explore Khukri type blades."
#63
Halfchance Parang
4.0
(1)
"IMO/IME: https://www.crkt.com/halfachance-parang.html"
#64
Bacho
4.0
(1)
"For good budget items get a bacho laplander and an Ontario machete."
#65
Woodman’s Pal
4.0
(1)
"Woodman’s pal might be good option."
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