Get the edge with these awesome machetes.
The machete is an often-underrated outdoor tool. What might seem like a one-hit wonder as a slashing tool for clearing a path through drooping and entangled vegetation actually has numerous applications for the enlightened outdoorsman.
Yes, it does clear paths, but it also shaves wood for tinder, rips through saplings, hacks through small-diameter trees, can aid in breaking down game and handles plenty of other useful survival, hunting and camping tasks.
But not all machetes are the same. Sure, their general shape is fairly consistent, but steel quality, handle durability, overall construction design and the ability to be sharpened and retain an edge all vary greatly in today’s saturated outdoor tool market.
Where you need to start is … here. Use this convenient go-to guide to choose the machete that fits both your needs during your outdoor adventures and your personal style. If you chose correctly, you’ll have a trusted tool and a long-term partner that can tackle your tasks at hand across the globe or in your own overgrown backyard.
KA-BAR Kukri Machete
Overview
Built to generate cutting power with its tip-heavy design, the Kukri Machete hacks through low-lying branches, brush and overgrown vegetation with ease. Its ergonomic handle ensures a firm grip with every strike, while its lanyard hole makes attaching cordage for extra security a breeze. The included sheath offers all-over coverage and an integrated loop at the tip for attachment to bags and belts.
Specifications
- Blade length: 11.5 inches
- Overall length: 17.0 inches
- Handle material: TPR
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Sheath: Leather/Cordura
MSRP $79.61
URL KaBar.com
KA-BAR Cutlass Machete
Overview
This stout machete offers a fully contoured handle that sticks to your palm like glue, allowing precision and power with every swing. Its extra-wide blade adds weight to the cutting edge, which reduces user fatigue from extended use in the field. Its hollow-ground blade will stand up to tough natural materials such as vines, ground-level roots and even small-diameter saplings. Include this tough tool with your load-out, and you’ll be good to go for any outdoor adventure.
Specifications
- Blade length: 11.0 inches
- Overall length: 16.5 inches
- Handle material: TPR
- Weight: 1.10 pounds
- Sheath: Leather/Cordura
MSRP $79.61
URL KaBar.com
Gerber Gear Versafix Pro
Overview
With a design that’s somewhere between an oversized knife and a short machete, this tool has it where it counts when you’re facing an uphill battle between man and nature’s vegetation. It’s equipped with an overmolded handle that offers extreme comfort, even during heavy use, so you’ll power through your chopping tasks with pinpoint accuracy and less fatigue. The blade-heavy design of the Versafix is ideal for oversized jobs, while the forward jimping is useful when batoning or for more-precise work. The slender, multi-mount sheath releases the blade with a push tab for smooth deployment.
Specifications
- Blade length: 9.0 inches
- Overall length: 14.3 inches
- Blade: Stainless steel
- High-durometer, overmolded handle provides comfort
- Sheath with paddle release for one-handed use
MSRP $46
URL GerberGear.com
Gerber Gear Broadcut Machete
Overview
This rough-and-tumble machete offers a classic design with modern esthetics. The Broadcut takes its name to heart, because it features an immense cutting edge and wide, tip-heavy blade. The integrated hook and cut notch on the back side of the blade allows the user to easily cut troublesome vines and slender branches that slow down travel through thick foliage. The included lanyard provides stability when chopping, while the comfortable handle “locks” your hand in place during your trek through nature’s overgrown garden.
Specifications
- Blade length: 13.1 inches
- Overall length: 19.7 inches
- Weight: 18.07 ounces
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Sheath: Slim; for belt carry
MSRP $46
URL GerberGear.com
CRKT Chanceinhell
Overview
Beefy, solid and ready to take on any challenge, the Chanceinhell machete is your go-to survival machete when you’re knee deep in nature’s tough overgrowth. Designed by award-winning custom knifemaker Ken Onion, the Chanceinhell’s thick, carbon-steel blade powers through natural material like a pro, and it sharpens right back up to perfection when the job is done. Multiple lanyard holes allow for a secure, personalized grip. This workhorse never quits!
Specifications
- Blade length: 12.0 inches
- Overall length: 17.88 inches
- Handle material: PP Core with TPR overmold
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Sheath: Reinforced-nylon belt sheath
MSRP $79.99
URL CRKT.com
Gerber Gear Gator Bolo Machete
Overview
On the surface, the Gator Bolo looks like a typical, old-fashioned machete. However, on closer inspection, this slasher takes cutting to a whole, new level. It sports full-tang construction, so you’ll never worry about a broken handle again as you chop and cut through the tough outdoors. The ergonomic, slip-proof grip is a definite upgrade over other handles that work against you rather than with you. Whether clearing a path on a far-off trail or overgrown brush in your own backyard, the Gator Bolo is ready when you need it.
Specifications
- Blade length: 15.5 inches
- Overall length: 22.5 inches
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Blade: Corrosion-resistant 1050 steel
- Gator-Grip handle for superior grip in wet conditions
- Sheath: Nylon with belt loop and D-ring attachments
MSRP $46
URL GerberGear.com
Gerber Gear Gator Machete Jr.
Overview
This shorter-than-average, packable machete doesn’t “short” you on performance or chopping power when it’s time to clear a path. Its compact design allows greater portability and less user fatigue after hours of use. The Gator-Grip handle ensures a firm hold on the machete under less-than-perfect outdoor conditions, while the included cordage lanyard adds even more stability to your strikes. A durable, back-side saw is handy for larger-diameter materials. Go big with the Gator Machete Jr.!
Specifications
- Blade length: 11.25 inches
- Overall length: 18.75 inches
- Weight: 14.3 ounces
- Useful for chopping and sawing
- Sheath: Riveted nylon construction
MSRP $23
URL GerberGear.com
Gerber Gear DoubleDown
Overview
The DoubleDown is a unique tool that’s an amalgamation of both a machete and a butterfly knife. Its innovative design features a fold-down action that’s inspired by the popular and space-saving balisong design while providing multiple safety features from its patent-pending 4-lock system. The unit sports an overstrike guard, a stability bar and a versatile, multi-carry-option sheath. Once you wield this amazing tool, you’ll never want to put it down!
Specifications
- Blade length: 6.75 inches
- Overall length: 15.10 inches
- Weight: 1.13 pounds
- Blade: 420 HC stainless steel
- Sheath: MOLLE or belt carry
MSRP Starting at $129
URL GerberGear.com
Condor Tool & Knife Golok Machete
Overview
With its unique blade and handle curvature, the Golok Machete has the flair of a classic sword from long ago. But don’t let its elegant design fool you: This machete is meant for cutting … and that’s what it does best. The convex grind eats into small branches, saplings and stubborn vines as you clear a path through nature’s toughest terrain. This beauty rests at your side in a welted-leather sheath when not in use.
Specifications
- Blade length: 14.5 inches
- Overall length: 20.5 inches
- Blade: 1075 high-carbon steel
- Handle material: Walnut
- Sheath: Handcrafted, welted leather
MSRP $99.98
URL CondorTK.com
Condor Tool & Knife El Salvador Machete
Overview
Inspired by the tireless workers of El Salvador and their tools of the trade, The El Salvador Machete embodies their spirit as they harvest sugar, cotton and bourbon coffee. Although you aren’t there with them, you can utilize this machete’s classic design and powerful blade for your own tasks around the yard or deep in the backwoods. An included handcrafted leather sheath keeps this incredible blade at the ready.
Specifications
- Blade length: 18.0 inches
- Overall length: 23.3 inches
- Blade: 1075 high-carbon steel
- Handle material: Walnut
- Sheath: Handcrafted, welted leather
MSRP Starting at $79.98
URL CondorTK.com
Condor Tool & Knife Mini Duku Machete
Overview
Small, but feisty, the Mini Duku Machete has a place in every bushcrafter’s outdoor kit. Featuring a convex-ground blade with a gleaming polished finish, this mini-machete does what its bigger brothers can do—and does it better! The walnut handle offers both style and function, allowing you to power through brush with more precision and control than with a longer, more awkward blade. The handcrafted, welted-leather sheath has a belt loop for convenient carry.
Specifications
- Blade length: 10.5 inches
- Overall length: 16.8 inches
- Blade: 1075 high-carbon steel
- Handle material: Walnut
- Sheath: Handcrafted, welted leather
MSRP $99.98
URL CondorTK.com
Rothco G.I. Government Sawback Machete
Overview
Designed to add functionality to the standard-issue, U.S. government machete, this tool enables both fast cutting action through thick brush and sawing through thicker saplings, branches or even small-diameter logs. Its full-tang blade holds up to repeated strikes without faltering, while its durable, plastic handle endures the harsh conditions that nature can dish out. A lanyard hole is located at the back of the handle.
Specifications
- Blade length: 18.0 inches
- Overall length: 23.25 inches
- Durable steel blade
- Lanyard hole
- Sheath—not included
MSRP $58.99
URL Rothco.com
SOG SOGfari Tanto Machete
Overview
This compact machete offers much more than meets the eye. It features a tip-heavy design that’s useful to reduce user fatigue, a full-tang construction that offers a convenient striking surface at the end of the Kraton handle and multiple lanyard/lashing holes for adding cordage according to your needs. The pointed tip of the blade adds another integrated tool for use in the unpredictable outdoors. Sometimes. you have to go big by going small!
Specifications
- Blade length: 10.0 inches
- Overall length: 16.0 inches
- Weight: 13.5 ounces
- Blade: 3Cr13 steel
- Sheath: Ballistic nylon with belt loop
MSRP $29.95
URL SOGKnives.com
SOG SOGfari 18-Inch Machete
Overview
Machetes have multiple uses. From clearing an overgrown path or hunting lanes to assisting in meal preparation or creating a shelter, a good machete by your side can be a lifesaver. The SOGfari features an 18-inch blade that has a deep-toothed saw on its spine and full-tang construction that ensures no breakage at the handle. When it’s time to go on an adventure or for clearing some overgrowth in your backyard, take the SOGfari along for unbeatable performance.
Specifications
- Blade length: 18.0 inches
- Overall length: 24.0 inches
- Weight: 1.15 pounds
- Blade: 3Cr13 steel
- Sheath: Ballistic nylon with belt loop
MSRP $34.95
URL SOGKnives.com
Woodsman’s Pal Survival Tool
Overview
This uniquely shaped outdoor tool is a combination of a machete and oversized knife. It’s designed to perform multiple tasks when outdoors. Recognized as an essential by professionals in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and land management, this tool aids in trimming, thinning, chopping and pruning a wide variety of plants and trees. The Woodsman’s Pal Survival Tool was designed for GIs during World War II as a survival aid for use in the South Pacific. If it was good enough for them, it’s probably good enough for all your outdoor brush-clearing needs.
Specifications
- Cutting edge: 10.5 inches; sickle hook: 2.5 inches
- Overall length: 17.0 inches
- Weight: 1.31 pounds
- Blade: 1074/1075 spring steel
- Sheath: Handmade, premium leather
MSRP $175
URL WoodsmansPal.com
Cold Steel Kukri Machete
Overview
The unique, tip-heavy shape of the Cold Steel Kukri Machete isn’t designed that way by accident. It’s a proven fact that this weight-forward slashing and hacking tool offers more-precise chopping power, less user fatigue and a smaller overall carry for those needing to tighten up on valuable space or weight. A lanyard hole and included sheath round out the features of this bushcraft favorite.
Specifications
- Blade length: 13.0 inches
- Overall length: 18.0 inches
- Weight: 16 ounces
- Blade: 1055 carbon steel
- Sheath: Cor-Ex sheath
MSRP $29.99
URL ColdSteel.com
Baryonyx Knife Co. Svord Kiwi Machete
Overview
Did you ever drop a tool on a leafy forest floor … where it promptly seemed to disappear? You won’t have to worry about that when you have the Svord Kiwi Machete with you. Its bright, high-visibility handle stands out against green foliage, brown leaves and dark earth. The nearly 1-foot-long, high-carbon blade is honed in-house with a fine, hollow grind, allowing you to charge immediately into the wild. A yellow, water-resistant, double-layer, urethane-coated fabric belt sheath is included.
Specifications
- Blade length: 11.63 inches
- Overall length: 17.63 inches
- Blade: 15N20 high-carbon steel
- Weight: 1.05 pounds
- Sheath: Double layered, polyurethane-coated fabric
MSRP $81.95
URL BaryonyxKnife.com
Heavenly Swords TAKEDOWN Heavy-Duty Machete
Overview
The TAKEDOWN machete blends the characteristics of a full-sized machete with the weight-forward design of a smaller kukri blade. Its sharp edge runs the length of the blade, allowing more vegetation to feel its bite. Its carbon-fiber handle is built to stand up to the harshest conditions of nearly any environment, while its included ballistic sheath keeps this efficient tool under wraps until it’s needed.
Specifications
- Blade length: 13.50 inches
- Overall length: 18.75 inches
- Blade: Stainless steel
- Handle material: Black, molded carbon fiber
- Sheath: Ballistic nylon
MSRP $23.73
URL HeavenlySwords.com
A version of this article first appeared in the August 2021 print issue of American Outdoor Guide.
