E-Mail 'Gerber Gator Machete, by Pat Cascio' To A Friend

13 Comments

1. Might want to look at a Brazilian Tramontina. Less than $15 from Amazon and designed to work.

   1. I agree, I own 4 Tramontina’s, 24″ is my favorite, they are well made and have the weight behind the swing to do any job. I own a lot of different machetes and IMHO Tramontina is the only way to go.

2. Tramontina!

3. In Canadian winters, blazing trails through the woods requires a pretty strong blade. It took ALOT of experimentation to get something that would hold up to cutting branches on spruce and pine (the resin stiffens in the cold and makes them pretty tough).
   I own and use the Gerber model, but the one that won my respect was the Cold Steel Magnum Kukri, which is a Gurkha modelled style. it works flawlessly in the cold and has resisted damage to the cutting edge or bending. The only downside to the Cold Steel Kukri is the scabbard which requires the side sheathing and draw (awkward and could lead to an accidental injury).

   The Cold Steel runs in the rough price range of the Gerber. I bought a few for family members who also work in the woods.

4. I’m very satisfied with my .230 TOPS Machete. Micarta handle with liners, blade coated, bungee style hand strap, Made in the USA.

5. Gerber had better get it’s act together or we will be “remembering it fondly” thirty years from now.

   1. LOL, I *just* gave one of these Gerbers away last night during a White Elephant gift exchange at a Christmas party. The exact model discussed in the article. The guys all fought for it, and the eventual winner (after the obligatory stealing) was happy that he was going home with something that looked cool. Of course, it was the top-coveted gift only because this was the first year nobody brought actual ammo. True story!

      I gave it away instead of keeping it because of the very reasons the author mentioned. Good for laughs and grabs for a White Elephant exchange, but that’s about it.

6. I have 4 of that model, I use the one on my polaris ranger routinely and cut up to and through 6 inch green limbs on my trails. I love them. Price is great at academy sports and outdoors store. Sheath is a big plus too.

7. Per previous comment on Cold Steel machetes. They have a wide selection, and I think pretty highly of them, but I have a big caveat. Especially if you buy off Amazon or from anyone besides Cold Steel (or my preferred vendor – their bargain basement clone “Lynn Thompson Special Projects”), you may have to do considerable work on the edge. They seem to have had a quality control problem some years back and those versions are still available on third party vendors.

8. I have really enjoyed the Ka-Bar Kukri machete over the last 5 years (the cutlass version is very good as well). It is probably a bit short for bushwacking through jungles, but it excels at clearing brush up to thumb-size in diameter. With a quick wrist flip, the heavy kukri blade does the rest! It holds a very sharp edge well, and comes with a nice leather sheath (at least mine did). The blade coating has prevented rust, but I baby mine, with a nice wipe-down and oiling after each use. Oh, and you can chop with this one, though would prefer an axe if available. Last time I looked, they were around $50 – not cheap, but I feel that it’s worth it. I have one in the shed, and one in each car.
   Merry Christmas Y’all!

9. I’ve got an original Collins Mk1 U.S. Navy model made in 1941. Still cuts pretty much anything I swing it at. Sharpen it with a smooth bastard file when it gets a little dull. I’ll probably pass it on to my grandson when he gets a little older.

10. I use a Woodman’s pal, not cheap but it does all I want it to do.

11. Recent article about Central America mentioned machetes,coincidence? May make a excellent defensive weapon or barter item. Have been satisfied with a us mil surplus with self sharpening sheath.

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