Best Machetes [REVIEWS & GUIDE] 2019

If you have hunted for a long time you know that at some point during a hunt you may have to walk through some very rough terrain. Often times this calls for having to clear away some small bushes or light brush. This is especially true when setting up blinds or tree stands. That is why having a good machete strapped to your side or pack can be a very useful thing. In this article we will take a look at five of the best machetes to have with you when hunting.

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Summary: Top 5 Machetes

Key Characteristics of Machetes to Focus

When you have decided to by a machete to have handy when you are hunting you don’t just want to buy the first one you see online or in a store. There are certain features of machetes that you should focus on when deciding which model you will purchase.

Here are the key characteristics of machetes which should play a part in your purchasing decision:

SIZE/WEIGHT

You most likely don’t want to be dragging a 36 inch long machete with you through the woods when you are hunting. That is because they will get tangled up in brush and other greenery and impede your mobility as you hunt. A blade that is 13 – 24 inches should be plenty enough to cut some brush or other plants for the short time you will be doing it.

You also don’t want a machete that weighs too much either. The more weight the faster you will tire when using it. It will also add to the combined weight of your hunting gear if it is heavy too.

BLADE/BLADE MATERIAL

You want your machete blade to be made out of a tough material too. Preferably out of a type of hardened steel. Poor quality blade material can bend more easily and will get dull faster too.

Look at the thickness of the blade on any machete you are thinking about buying too. A thin blade can get bent and eventually break much easier than a thicker blade will. A blade that is full tang (the handle is pinned to the blade and not molded around the handle end) is generally preferred because of its strength as opposed to a half tang blade (molded handle on a blade that is less wide at the handle end).

Try and find a machete with a blade that is versatile too. See if you can find one that has saw teeth on one side for sawing off small limbs and also comes to a point at the very end so you can carve with it too.

HANDLE MATERIAL

You want the handle on your machete to be durable and provide you with good grip when you are swinging it. Handles that are made out of a rubberized compound or synthetic in nature will fit the bill nicely here.

SHEATH

Since you will be taking this hunting with you then you will probably not be carrying it in your hand that often. That means you will have to have a good sheath to carry it in. Look for a sheath that is weather resistant and has loops so you can attach it to your belt or onto a backpack.

Machete Reviews

 Kershaw Machete/Camp Knife

Here is a really well made machete that was designed with hunting and camping in mind. It is convenient to use for cutting brush and many other light chopping, scraping or splitting needs.

It has a carbon steel blade that is powder coated to protect it against the elements. The blade is 18 inches long which is big enough to clear brush, yet small and light enough to go everywhere with you. It is a knife that features a tough and durable full tang blade with a nearly indestructible rubber handle.

The handle design on this machete is very ergonomic too. When combined with the fact its grip is made of rubber it makes for a machete that is easy to hold onto and swing.

Pros:

• Full tang toughness
• Ideal 18” length
• Lightweight
• Powder coated steel

Cons:

• No enhancements on the blade
• The blade is slightly to the thin side

 Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete

This really nice machete is part machete and part multi-purpose tool. It will really come in handy when you are hunting, camping or even doing yard work around the house. This is definitely one of the most versatile machetes you will ever use if you are a hunter or camper.

It features a straight sharp edge on one side of the blade that is good for chopping, slashing brush and cutting through small saplings. On the other side you have saw teeth so you can quickly take care of small branches too.

The blade on this machete is made from durable single piece carbon steel (full tang). This machete has a rugged and easy to grip handle too. The handle is made from strong polymer plastic and has finger holds molded right into it.

Pros:

• Convenient 20” length
• Saw blade back
• Strong carbon steel construction
• One-piece full tang blade

Cons:

• Saw blade edge is very light duty
• Only 10” cutting edge on the machete side of the blade

 Schrade SCHKM1 Large Full Tang Kukri Machete

This is one of the more interestingly shaped machetes on our top review list. Those that have used it rave about how easy it is to handle and swing. It will make short work of cutting brush and clearing out other small thickness vegetation.

It features a sturdy and lightweight design. The blade on it is made of highly corrosion resistant stainless steel which makes ideal for use when hunting or fishing in all types of weather. This machete also features over 13 inches of cutting surface on the blade edge. You can clear some serious vegetation out in no time at all with it.

This knife features solid full tang construction with safety handle grips pinned to the thick handle end of the blade. A convenient over the shoulder carrying sheath also comes with this machete.

Pros:

• Highly mobile 20” length
• Powder coated stainless steel blade for corrosion resistance
• Safety grip handle design
• Over the shoulder style sheath

Cons:

• Sheath needs some redesigning
• Stainless blade dulls faster than carbon steel

 SOG SOGfari 18″ Machete MC02

If you need to cut down some brush to set up a blind for hunting or remove some foliage to give you a clear shot, then this is a machete that can do all that and more. It is a lightweight and easy to swing model that will come in handy in many different situations while hunting.

This is a very good machete that features almost 18 inches of cutting surface on its main side. There is also a serrated edge saw blade on the top side that is handy for sawing of small branches.

The blade on this machete is made using durable carbon steel. It has a full tang blade with an easy to grip Kraton rubber handle too. One of the best things about this machete is it comes with a full lifetime warranty

Pros:

• High quality dual edges machete
• Tough carbon steel blade
• Kraton rubber handle
• Nylon sheath included

Cons:

• Blade will chip over time
• Needs constant sharpening

 Gerber Gator Machete JR

You won’t find a more portable and lightweight machete on our top review list than this one. It is so easy to carry you might want to have it with you when hunting even on those days you don’t think you will need it. You never know when some brush or a few overgrown branches might need removal because they are in your line of site.

Not only is this machete portable and lightweight but it is built to last also. It is made using high quality carbon steel. The very well designed ‘gator’ rubber grip also makes it very easy to swing and hold while you are using it.

The blade is dual sided to help make this machete even more versatile. One side has a serrated saw edge that is good for taking out very small branches. The riveted nylon sheath makes for safe and easy transportation of this machete when you are taking it with you out into the field too.

Pros:

• Super portable and lightweight
• Sturdy carbon steel 13” blade
• Special style grip
• Durable riveted nylon sheath

Cons:

• Short cutting surface on the blade
• Serrated edge does not saw branches bigger than 1” in diameter

Conclusion

All of the machete products on our review list are top notch pieces of equipment. There was one however that really caught our attention more than the others. That is the Kershaw Machete/Camp Knife.

This machete is very portable and lightweight. It also has a long sweet spot on the blade for making short work of brush and overgrowth. That gives it an advantage over other models on our list with shorter cutting edges on the blade. The ergonomically designed handle helps make it easy to hold and swing too. Anyone who is looking for a quality machete would do well to take a serious look at the Kershaw Machete/Camp Knife.