A year ago I found a bolo while helping my dad clear his garage out, I asked him about it and he said “take it, I’m never gonna touch the thing”. Half of the handle was chipped off, the blade mostly rusted and the handle bolts were pitiful and crusty. I tore the handles off, polished and sharpened the blade to a razor, and installed two new walnut scales for a handle. I gotta say: the BEST all-around tool for brushwork and clearing, I take it camping and love doing all kinds of jobs with it. A satisfying tool to use effectively for sure
Some of the older ones are real pearls! I find I get quite attached to the tool that I rescue, especially the ones that have a family history. I hope you get many years out of it mate. All the best from OZ, Ben
@@Mr.Foxhat I did show him after my work was done, and he didn’t even recognize it! He said he was proud of the work I did on it and that I did a great job. I brought him camping this summer and he saw me using it, and said he was glad he didn’t just chuck it, so that I could find use in it.
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Kudos for rescuing the blade instead of throwing it away. I also try to fix things as much as I can instead of buying new ones, it's an excellent way to learn something new even if you fail, and using a fixed thing is so much more satisfying. Hope the bolo serves you well!
G'day, mate from the Philippines! I absolutely LOVE this video you made! Kudos for this! There's actually one other advantage a Bolo has over the machete: Because it's shorter & handier, it makes a VERY GOOD close combat weapon! Doubt me? Just ask the Spaniards, Americans & Japanese who invaded us! Because we (used to) carry & use them every day on the farm in the provinces, we get to swing it around A LOT which means for an Arnisador or Eskrimador (which I am!), we get to be VERY proficient in their use as weapon. In short, the Bolo was the world's first multi-tool & weapon! If doubt me, look for other TH-cam videos featuring the Bolo Bayonet! I promise you that you WON'T be disappointed! As to protecting your hand when chopping brush, why not fit a knuckle guard or finger guard in the style of old 19th century cutlasses & swords? That way, you can still use it to chop brush even if you have no gloves. That's how my Bolo is like! Anyway, I wish you the BEST to you and yours! Stay well & love from the Philippines!
strangely enough, in my country Jamaica, our machete are in the reverse of yours. our bolo style machete is about 1 or 2 inches longer than that latin style. a machete is the work horse tool in Jamaica, as a matter of fact it's the only tool that most people can ever be able to own. our bolo style, (we called the 28) is the choice pick. we also have 2 other popular machetes, the cane bill, used for chopping sugarcane and the hook bill, aka "tun pint" or (turned point). the only latin style usually seen much use on the island is a small knife-like one known as the "Cuban", used by coconut and sugarcane street venders. it is also a handy little tool to carry around for bushcraft and lite work.
Mate thanks for sharing! I really enjoy hearing how machetes and their use vary in each country. I'm surprised that the bolos are more popular as the latin seams to be the go to tool for a lot of other countries south of the US border. Another popular machete around here is the short cane knife. Darn handy tool to be honest. I use them for anything really green and soft. Actually, its my choice for a coconut knife but they are not locally grown this far south of the tropics. All the best Anubus, Ben
@trekker75 Mate, I'm a huge fan of them as well. They are dynamite in anything small and green. They are easy to keep sharp as well. I can't say I have come across any good belt sheath system that I was happy to use and they tend to take an a lot of damage when processing dry hardwood branches for a fire. I also cut away a little bit of the steel behind the hook to make it a deeper. Not by much but enough to hook under 2" sticks.
I enjoyed the video. A main premise seems to be that Latin machetes are 18 inches or longer and heavy but this is not always the case. Here in Jamaica, I have two 14 inch Tramontina Latin machetes, one in the pick-up truck and one for home and they do everything from clearing tall grass and brush to opening coconuts and felling young trees with up to 8 inch thick trunks. I really like the light feel that allows precise and fast strokes without fatigue. Latin machetes also have a sharp point that can be used for piercing while Bolos are broad at the tip.
G'Day SirLingPing (love the name!), and I could not agree more. You're on point, both bolos and latins come in all different length and weights. The thin 18" latin is probably the most common style and length of machete in the developed west. I picked the 18" for that reason and compared it to my favourite, the 14" light bolo. I'm also in your camp, I prefer a lighter, smaller machete that I can move faster. I do miss having a pointy tip at times as well. Generally, westerners will carry a small companion knife if they are using a machete (or any other tool) in the bush. I think that is partly due to us not knowing how useful a machete can really be on its own. Carrying a companion knife is not a tradition that will disappear any time soon. Machete length and style is also very regional. I have had quite a few comments from around Jamaica saying much the same as you. 12-14" Latins are most common. I know in the south pacific Islands around Australia, they all want their machetes 28" long. Personally, I find them far too big to manage. They use the 12" latins for food prep. Thanks for the comments and complement Sir Ling Ping. All the best, Ben
I like the info. Here in the Bahamas by far the most common machete is a 15 inch bolo type blade made by Tramontina. It’s thicker and heavier than a standard bolo, making it useful for big branches but also as a sort of digging/weeding tool. Also common are the longer thinner blade bolos and Latins. The 14 inch bolo by tramontina is probably my go to blade , sometimes swapping it out for longer ones. As you said the lighter and sharper the blade the faster you can cut and the less tired you will be. I prefer lighter swiping type machetes for most applications.
I recently bought a bolo machete prior to watching this video to help in a project of clearing a half acre of land. I had a latin style before but it took way too much energy and time to clear out the thick jungle we have here. The bolo knife was a MASSIVE improvement in that its much better at slicing thru light ferns and vines. I also found it to be much more efficient at taking down wet wood. Thank you for teaching me how to better use and utilize my new, favorite knife!
What an awesome comment! Cheers Keanu. The Bolo's are darn good tools and are often overlooked. I think the whole point of this clip was to show that there are other options and that bigger is not always better. I'm glad you're finding the info on this channel helpful. It is just a collection of the things that have been shown to me over the years that I know works. I'm more than happy to pay it forward. All the best mate, Ben
G'Day Larry! Yep, it has been a while. We had some issues with the audio in this clip and the project got shelved (out of frustration) due to being so busy. We have since upgraded the mic and lens and now have a little more time. I'm currently editing the next video... fingers crossed the quality should improve. I hope you and the family are well mate! Kind regards, Ben
I do not have a lot of machete experience, but what I do have I remember the shorter and lighter machetes were not that useful. When I lived in Central America as a teenager I remember showing our gardener my new little purchase that I thought was cool. He held it, hacked a bit of stuff with it, and informed me that it was no good. A machete, he showed me, requires a certain amount of heft to be effective on a working basis. The tip is also important, as it is used for more than just swinging. That's my limited lesson from a man with a lifetime of daily usage.
Greetings from Denmark. I never saw anybody use a machete here for work. But I used it 25+ years ago working in a banana plantation in Cuba. I always say it was the best job I ever had. Now I am starting to use it in my big garden, and learning my son to use it too. We both love the feeling of working the machete (just wish we could grow banana here..).
I like the fact that you're sharing the adventure with your son! I'm with you in being frustrated about things not growing where I am. We can grow bananas but not mangoes or coconuts. I know some people have had success planting small patches of bananas in the colder regions in Australia. They plant them in front of a sun drenched brick wall. This tends to keep the frost off them during cold nights. I suspect Denmark might be far too cold though. Thanks for the comments Mikkel. All the best from OZ, Ben
you know, for someone who has been using machete all my life, since i was about 6 years, i am over 40 now, i have never seen a machete with a sheath except on TH-cam.
It's funny you mention that as when I first started using them, I did not bother with a sheath either. I'm with you on that point. Of all the trips I have taken to nations that still use machetes regularly, sheaths are not common at all. Although machetes can be very effective tools with a rough edge, I know I started to use a sheath when my sharpening got better. I'm guessing here but there are probably many reasons why sheaths are more common in developed nations. As machete use has mostly been replaced with machinery here in the west, TH-cam videos on machete use would more than likely be from a developed western nation. Countries south of the border would not really need 'how to' videos on a topic you all would be more than comfortable with. Unless you all feel like sharing your info to the west! As mentioned before, sharpness is a big reason. Basic sharpening equipment is easily found and affordable in the west. On many trips in the past, locals in developing nations ask for files and sometimes stones to sharpen their equipment. I know I would just stow a roughly sharpened machete behind my trouser belt or under my arm when I was young. I would not be able to do that these days. I think another really easy to spot difference is the time in hand factor. Westerners won't typically use a machete all day long because of access to machinery. They get used for smaller tasks and get stowed. I know from my perspective, if the machete task would take longer that it takes me to set up, use and pack away the machinery, I will pick the petrol equipment every time. If I'm walking through the bush or around the farm, I would want a tool with me for the smaller jobs. A sharp machete in a sheath is a convenient way of carrying the tool. But that is just my take on it Anubus. All the best mate, Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Guatemalan and Southern Mexican machete sheaths are an example of fine craftsmanship, though. They are also practical when riding a horse or mule.
Im with you. I hve one lodged in a tree stump for yard use and another in the garage. Cane cutting knife machette. Ive seen many machettes. Only ever seen a sheath on in a shop.
Hello from Panama! Great video. Been using machetes my whole life. I am over 40 years! Machetes are the work horse of our farmers. They are available in different lenghts and much lighter materials! And yes, with some skill it will become a real cutting multitool here in the tropics!
Thanks for the contribution Eric! I have seen some youtube clips of the warehouse style machete shops selling every shape, size and flavour of machetes. We don't have anything like that here in Australia. I'm sure it would be a fun shop to visit. All the best from OZ mate, Ben
I love this! Gets right to the point and gives solid reasons without dancing around the subject. Great video, I will definitely buy a sheath from your website :)
My family worked at the Collins Company for 4 generations. Axes and machetes were the main products, but they made many other cutting and tools as well. They were laying around in sheds and garages all over town
Well our bolo in Philippines, some of them have enough weight (same size 14 inches) for better chopping. Little bit thicker and beveled of what you have. And handmade forged bolo are much heavier than some factory made.
You're on point Jan. Hand forged machetes/knives are generally thicker than these stamped machetes. Heavier does chop far better but I must admit, these South American style machetes don't wear me out nearly as fast. All the best from OZ mate, Ben
Had to tell you I had a chance to use the Tramontina Bolo I got after watching your channel. I had a blown down tree from a storm that left a lot of branches and damaged a number of large shrubs as it fell. I think the machete did the work of a saw and loppers in a quarter the time with less effort. Best brush clearing tool I have ever used. Huge advantage in having a tool that only requires one hand while manipulating limbs with the other. Normally I would clear off the smaller branches with the loppers and cut the bigger sections with a saw. Then go around and pick everything up. The machete let me move the branch to the pile and break everything down on top of it without having to let go of the branch or tool. Everything done in one spot with one tool. Much easier.
How awesome is that! I'm glad you found the Bolo as useful as I have found it to be. You nailed it with that comment. I call it 'work flow'. I find the Bolo to be just the right length and weight to work it one handed and throwing the limbs in a neat pile to the side. It's a gentle way to work in my opinion. You just made my day mate! All the best, Ben
Yep...that's a good way to describe it....the other tip of yours I found particularly helpful was to work with the grain of the wood instead of across the grain. I had experimented with a machete in the past without understanding that and had given up on using one for the harder woods that grow in my area.
I picked up an Army surplus bolo, 30 years ago. Made by Lysaght in 1944, bakelite handle with original canvas and brass sheath. It is a beast and was heavily used, clearing, chopping down cocos palms, digging garden beds, pumpkin cutter, weeding and as a camp tool. Chopped a large wild mango tree down with my bolo (and some rope), took a couple of days, I didn't have a chainsaw or axe and did it as a challenge. As a tool the bolo is excellent, a big knife/axe/spade all in one.
That is a nice bit of Aussie history, mate. I know it's normal to preserve these old tools, but I have always preferred to tunes these up and keep them working. They are an all purpose tool. It's rarely the best choice, but most of the time a tuned up machete will get the job done.
An interesting video. You effectively explained how both types are good and what their specific strengths are. That being mentioned, I had noticed many people leaning towards shorter machetes due to their lighter weight and compactness. Even some of the thicker blades geared towards campers or survivalists that live or spend time in wooded areas and designed as multipurpose choppers have gained a following. I live in Orlando, Florida so I have both woods and jungle in the state. I find this subject interesting as many of us can buy any type of machete we'd like, but we don't know or understand their design or purpose, so I appreciate this video as much as your excellent machete sharpening tutorial.
Mate you hit on a really good point. I think westerners in general are starting to realize the vast choices when it comes to machetes. I think blokes are starting to wake up to the fact, bigger and heavier is not necessarily better. My favourate will always be the 14" Tram Bolo but I have been favoring the shorter 12" latins for the reasons you mentioned above. Although I can still chop branches for firewood with the smaller 12, I tend to bring it now on day walks in the forest when I know I won't be lighting a fire. No pun intended but the truth of it is how you use and maintain the tool that makes all the difference. Little can cut big if it's sharp and your technique is good. Big can do small work if it's sharp and you hold the tool just right. Jamaicans often comment that the shorter 12"s are the most popular over there for a do it all style tool. Again, all the best from OZ Frank, Ben
The 18" is one of the longest machete people use here in Brazil, i bought a 20" and a 10" but the most used are the 14" and 16" versions, and because of its thin blade it's very easy to cut and modify its profile. Many people buy the longer versions, cut it and create a shorter machete plus a neck knife from the portions cuted, and you can have 2 diferent beavel in the same blade, like using convex in 2/3 and scandy near the handle.
Thank you for the comment Luciano. It's a darn good one as it's from a country that still sees regular machete use. Shorter machetes being used is something that I'm seeing more of these days. Even if a remote village only has a few petrol tools, the machete start to get smaller over time. I have setup scandi sections on machetes in the past but I'm not completely sure if it suits our harder timbers down here in Australia. I know Brazil has some of the toughest timbers like us, but bushcraft is also done on dry timbers and I find it's rough on the thinner scandi edge. I now just keep the convex edge sharp and it handles carving in hard material just fine. But as you mentioned before, machetes are very easy to modify and customise to suit each task and user. All of us can tune one to suit. All the best mate, Ben
Take a look at this video, this is the most famous bushcraft youtuber from here and sometimes he record videos in english. th-cam.com/video/BAun4gr6yzo/w-d-xo.html
What an awesome clip! We don't have anything on the scale of that shop here in Australia. Thanks for the YT link. I have not come across him yet. It's probably because he listed the language as Portuguese. I thought his friend in the car was Colhane at first.
That was that was very educational thank you. I, on the other hand I'm on the other side of the spectrum I have never touched or used a bolo. I grew up using Latin style 26 inch machetes and mochos 14.5 inches (bolo like). The machete is carried at waist high or under the armpit for easy extraction and re-sheathing. The plastic handles and today's machetes are not traditional and more cumbersome to use. The wooden handles are much easier to manage smoother and they had copper winding in the center which kept your hand with more bloodflow and saved you from blistering. My 74-year-old mother and her sisters can still take a coconut and peel it, and open it while holding it in their hand using a machete of 26 inches it's all in how you learn to use the tool that's available to you.
Mate, I still get impressed watching people work with machetes that have been brought up using them on a daily basis. I remember watching a short clip where they were interviewing 2 young childeren on a cocoa farm. From memory, they looked about 5 and 7 and both of them were standing and talking while chopping up the pods in their hands. They did this with a machete and looking at the cameraman. You're on the money with that armpit style sheath point. I feel the 18" latins are at the limit for a single handed, low slung belt hung sheath. Those longer 26 inch machetes are on another level. If I ever start working on longer machetes, I will need to investigate this style set up. Most westerners would class the 18" as a long machete but for obvious reasons, that is far from the truth. I must admit, the older women that still use these long machetes impress me the most. They do it with ease and It is a lovely process to watch. Your Mum and Aunty sound pretty awesome in my book! Can you tell them that for me? Just mention that they impressed a hairy old farmer from the East Coast of Australia. I hope they get a laugh out of that. Thanks for sharing your perspective Hector! All the best from OZ, Ben
Hey Ben nice to see you back! I like both styles, also got given a Panga, it's a workhorse! Got myself a Martindale Paratrooper the other day too, good for the day hike pack.
G'Day Scott! Thanks for welcoming me back mate. It was about time I pulled my finger out and did another clip. The Martindale's are very popular here in OZ. They are a well respected brand and that little P- trooper looks the business. I have not had a chance o properly test one as yet. I think I might have to make a few orders soon. Any excuse to test out a new tool hey! All the best GS, Ben
I grew up in the bush in the Solomon Islands. I used a machete pretty regularly form the age of 6 on. As far as I'm concerned anyone that knows how to use a machete is good people. The minor differences between bolo vs latin is almost as subjective as someone's preference for blonds over brunettes. I don't judge someone based on their preferences, just their skill, and to your credit your technique is some of the best I've seen on TH-cam. It makes me want to cry when I see so called "knife experts" using a machete poorly and then saying it's only good for clearing light brush... *sigh* Anyways, good content I dropped a sub. Cheers.
What a champion comment Lazix and it's nice to hear from someone who also appreciates the tool. I have to agree with you on that point. When you're comfortable with using machetes, comparing the similar ones in this clip is like splitting hairs. If you're good, you know how to push a smaller machete to perform and the larger ones, they can be finessed into little crafting tasks as well. This clip was focusing more on the beginner (in the west) making a first choice. Boys will generally pick a bigger tool than is needed and girls sometimes overlook machetes all together. I think it's the reason I settled on that bolo as I find it sits nicely in the middle. Young or old, male or female, most people can get the swing of this size and weight machete fairly easily. I get the 'experts' commenting here from time to time with all the same narrow perspectives. I think a big part of that is here in the west, we did not grow up using them as a multi purpose (do almost everything style) tool. We don't get to see Uncle quickly clear a site, craft a seat, build a fire, prep a meal and slice open some fruit for desert, all with the same tool. Actually, I'm still learning myself. The comment section on this channel has taught me a lot. Many people around the globe have shared how their culture uses them. Although I'm comfortable with using a machete, I will never have anything on the locals who grow up using them daily as a companion tool. Thanks for the vote of confidence though mate! Flattery works on me! Hey, I like that comment 'Anyone that knows how to use a machete is good people'. I so get where you're coming from! It's such a humbling tool to use while you work. It's a tool that forces you to slow down and be in nature. All the best from OZ Lazix, Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Yea growing up I had a "was-papa" in the village who would take me around up in the bush, these "survivalists" are always talking about a "One tool option" like it's a mythical thing that can't be achieved, but the shit I've seen people do with a Machete would make their heads spin all the way round. I was looking at your website trying to see if I could order a sheath, and stumbled across what you call ranger bands. Love it. I've been using bicycle inner-tubes since forever to lash, make home made rubberized handles and the like. I have the day off tomorrow so I think I'll go down to the hardware store and pick me up some PVC and make a sheath. I would have liked to just order one, but I don't run the 18" bolo personally, so I'll just make my own.
Interesting video, definitely subbing. I'm a land surveyor in Florida and have been carrying a 28" Martindale for ages, but also carry a 12" Tramontina for the extra tight spots where I'm stuck into the nests of vines and can't swing the big fella. Best of both worlds I guess.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Although it would be nice if one machete could do it all, having options will always be better. I'm also a big fan of thr 12" latins for the same reason. All the best from OZ mate, Ben
At some stage, mate. Life got really busy and family comes first. The kids are getting a little older so some time soon, I hope. All the best from Oz, Ben
Great Video, I just picked up a vintage Japanese made Bolo machete for $20 from the local trash n treasure market, 375mm blade, 3mm thick and weighs 2.2KG, the thing is awesome to swing and 1" thick branches have no hope....
G'Day Iron Forge Knives and thanks for the comment. I know those machetes and it was a good score. Does it have a big 'BOLO' stamp down near the tip of the machete? I'm guessing here but I imagined that it was an initiative of the allied forces to help bring an industry back to Japan after WW2. I read somewhere that they came about just before the Korean ceasefire but were more popular during Vietnam but, who really knows? There is a lot of misinformation out there on the topic. 2.2kg sounds like a monster of a machete. Are you sure its not 2.2lb with the sheath? Either way, it's a good tool and a nice bit of history. I'm glad some of these old hand tools are coming back in style. All the best mate, Ben
Culturally, I've been exposed to bolos all my life until I got my hands on a kukri. In my opinion, the kukri is the closest thing to a do all companion chopper to bring with you in an unknown outdoor situation. It can do the job of a trade knife, Machete and axe. Granted, not as well as each one in their own unique situation, but good enough.
Their is good reason they have such a dedicated, world wide following. You're on point, they are the do it all tool for the Nepalese. It's a very capable tool. I can't say I ever enjoyed the feel of them though but that's just my personal preference. The handle angle as well as the bend always put me off. For me, they are less fun to sharpen than a straighter edge.... They do look the part though! Thanks for the comment Ray. All the best, Ben
Never used a bolo (yet, but it's coming) but I've used 18" Latin machetes and my 13" Cold Steel Kukri machete for years. Over the years I've found that my kukri machete will perform at the same level as my 18" tramontino latin machete. They're about the same weight and I can swing both all day. I pick which one to use solely based on the amount of room I have to work in. Confined=kukri, wide open=latin. I also own a 11" kukri from GK&CO that gets used in all sorts of ways from as a hatchet/light axe to a kitchen knife, depending on my needs. Hope this helps!
Bolos move the sweet spot for chopping/cutting much closer to the end of the blade, due to the balance if having that heavier spine out at the end. I also find they're good vs. vibration in the handle. This allows them to chop like a longer, heavier tool than they are. The main benefit I think, is that the sweet spot being near the end of the blade helps in tight quarters, where to get the sweet spot of a latin on the target, you end up dragging the tip through weeds/twigs. With a bolo, you're more able to make a wide fast swing without needing quite so much room to swing. Largely I think a 'panga' has some of the same advantages as the bolo (in terms of balance/sweet spot). Whether that pointy top is useful or in the way (in a panga vs. a bolo), seems like a personal preference issue. The best chopper is probably a parang. But they're very heavy, because they're very thick. A long latin is good for clearing reeds/grass in big swaths. A bolo (or panga) is a lot of chopping power in a minimalist length & weight. Interestingly, if you put your thumb over your view of the spine, a bolo or panga looks just like a stout latin machete. Kukri seems to be halfway between a parang, and a knife. Reasonably decent at chopping, reasonably decent as a knife. Terrible for clearing large amounts of soft plants though. But it is quite compact in dimensions. Really to "do it all" and "do it well" you'll need multiple tools though. A very small pocket folder with serrations is great for cutting rope, etc. A scandi ground fixed knife is amazing for wood details. Add a modest sized kukri, bolo, or parang for delimbing, light chopping, and modest clearing. A long latin is very good for major clearing. A very big parang or a dadao (basically a 2hand sword based on a parang) or a 3/4 axe for really serious heavy chopping. I've been trying to find tools which would hybridize some of that, & reduce the sheer number of items though hehe. A little serrated folder and a Mora fixed knife are very light & compact though, so it's the other roles which would be nice to blend where possible. I've put a lot of thought into a "does everything machete". But there's going to be compromises no matter what.
Nice video and some really good points on the bolo. Here in Kansas, I use several styles. Bolos are very handy, especially clearning a casting path when bank fishing. Like you, I don't find the need to baton anthing & I've been in the outdoors most of my 70 yrs. But then, I usually carry a camp hatchet or tomahawk on my pack for that. Thanks for the info.
G'day from OZ Bill and thanks for the comments. I'm actually starting to think the title of my clip is a little 'click bait ish'. I actually use many different styles of machetes. Granted, the bolo is my go to but if I'm doing something very specific, I will pick the right machete for the task. We currently have a nasty bushfire season on the east coast of Australia. It's actually quite unusual around where I am as we are surrounded by subtropical rainforests (damp all year round) that never really burn. Given the extended dry, that changed this summer. Everyone is scrambling to prepare and I'm clearing Lantana like a mad man. Long story short, The fastest method I have come across to untangling Lantana on a fence line is a 12" latin and a little chainsaw. I would rather be clearing a small patch on a bank to do some fishing mate! Maybe after the rains come. It's always nice to hear from woodsmen from around the world. Thanks for sharing mate. All the best from Smoky Bellingen, Ben
Even before it was mentioned explicitly in the video, I noticed the fine mirror polished edge on these machetes. It's a shame that so many tools you'd pick up off the shelf or order online come with a poor grind, as a lot of people don't have the means or patience to put a preferable edge on them. But when you have sufficient sharpening equipment, suddenly you can make generic hardware store tools perform like a champ. A few months ago, I was gifted a neglected Legitmus Collins & Co. 1250 bolo from 1940. It was almost butterknife dull & the sheath smelled mildewy from decades of improper storage. Took about 45 minutes on a belt grinder to touch things up to an acceptable level (almost but not quite as nice as the edges in this video!). Several days of hanging the sheath out in the sun and breeze took care of the sheath's odour as well. I don't have any clearing or chopping tasks for it currently, but I'd love to take this old beauty out for a spin when the opportunity arises. Except maybe clearing close to the ground... I don't wanna risk dinging up the top edge, & besides, I have a brush axe for that sorta thing.
DUDE, you're awesome. Been a knifemaker 9 years, was full time 4 years. Just recently got into the bolo/machette thing, but specialized in large bowies for years. The moment you started talking I said "This guy know's what he's doing". I chose the bolo design also for a redo/upgrade. Kudos to you, learned a lot in this video and agree with all of your points. Thanks for posting, very informative. ~Bob Armstrong Combat Knives~
What a champion comment Bob! Thanks for the input and complement. I never went into business mode with knives but I did start out making them a long while back. I love the art of it but It's a hard market to break into (kudos to you mate!). It was about the time when I really started appreciating a proper agricultural style machetes. As a bush tool, they really tick all the boxes for me. It's nice to hear from another Bolo fan! Hey I'm thinking about tinkering with the Martindale Golok in the near future. That is another that ticks a lot of boxes. I prefer thin and about 14" but the thicker golok would make for a darn good chopper. All the best from OZ Armstrong, Ben
Cheers mate and it's nice to see you around these parts again. I'm glad you're getting good use from that kit. I might etch that 'Bolo all the way!' into some steel for a plaque in the workshop. I just sent out a new sheath mod that would really suit your pack set up. It was one of those 'why did not think of this before' moments as It was so simple. A lad wanted to strap the sheath to a molle panel on his pack (no compression straps available in the area) with cable ties. I just fixed a plate with two small channels at the bottom of the sheath along with the Multifit Mounting plate at the top. Darn simple, I should have done this earlier. All the best Drew, Ben
I personally prefer a parang. But I do have a bolo that I cold ground the back down like a clip point so I have a centerline tip that makes it more useful for me in crafting. I still carry and use that one quite often. Also you were absolutely right. A dull blade is a dangerous blade.
And to be fair, a traditional parang is quite a handsome looking tool as well. I do get quite a lot of bushcraft fans commenting on their parang preferences. They do have a lot of supporters. All the best Hawk, Ben
There are Latin machetes with 12 or 14 inches of blade length. It would be interesting to compare Bolo vs Latin styled machetes with the same length to see how the design differences affect the use and results. I mean, how many of your points are attributable to size rather than style?
I use machetes a lot where I live...basically in the bush. I've got a Condor village parang, and a Cold Steel kukuri, and a latin machete which is pretty long...and tiring to use. Was thinking about turning it into a couple bushcraft knives.... The parang has been useful for processing fire wood for several years. The kukuri also, but have been looking at bolos lately. This video helped me make up my mind....my next one will definitely be a bolo.....Cheers!
G'day mate, I'm glad you found the info helpful. I did the tool shuffle for a while before I settled on a bolo. You will always find another tool that will excel in one task more so than another, but the bolo sits nicely in the middle for me. I can push it for the hard work and it's manageable for the light crafting. I hope you enjoy using it. All the best, Ben
I've been watching some machete videos today and just found yours here. I haven't tried a bolo machete yet, thought I want to. I can say that one thing I like about Latin machetes is that I can cut a thin branch or brush and then use the spine at the tip of the blade to catch or grab whatever I just cut and toss it out of my way. It's actually kind of fun. LOL
Two big thumbs up for that point mate! Its one of the reasons I really like using cane knives in the veggie patch. The hook on the back is extremely useful. You can still do the same technique you described with the shorter bolo but it is easier with the longer latins. One of the regular contributors here sent a link to another channel. He put a shallow cutaway in the tip of the spine of his latin that looked very effective. I think his name was 'Hale'? I will go find it but I was planning on testing that on a future YT clip and promoting his clip at the same time. I really liked what he had to say. Everything was on point in my opinion.
Here is the link Greg Scott sent me to watch. I'm sure others have done this but I'm calling this modification the 'Hale Hook'. Darn good idea and his clip is worth watching. th-cam.com/video/G42Cm0auilw/w-d-xo.html
I own both a Bolo and a Full Tang machete, I use either one depending on what I need at the time. Glad to hear that the Bolo style is getting some love and attention. Great vid, I learned something today! Cheers.
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Thanks for the positive feedback, my friend! I bought my Bolo at an Army surplus store a good number of years ago. Love the style. I did have to replace the handle at least once - no big deal. Anyways, thanks for a great vid. Cheers!
That's a good question. It depends on how you plan to use it. I use mine mostly as tools and I don't mind tuning them up (sharpen, shape the handle and make a sheath) so I prefer the thinner steel brands that come unfinished from the factory. Tramontina ticks all the boxes for me. They are diamonds in the rough and are priced accordingly. If you want something a little more finished, Marbels and Martindale make great bolos. As far as having a thin steel option, cold steel have some decent gear as well. If you like thicker steel options, Condor Tools have some bolos and parangs. These come work ready in a sheath. They make very nice tools. I hope some of the above was helpful mate. All the best from OZ. Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Wow, thanks for all your options. Much appreciated. I was looking for a shorter machete with some chopping power for use in woods and around the home too...the Bolo sounds like a strong choice. All the best from USA.
Here in the Philippines most people use bolos. There are different shapes, lengths and weights depending on where you purchased them (traditional blacksmiths here use car leaf springs, so it's quite hefty). I have tried machete before too, but I am not that tall (as most Filipinos are) and the extra length is helpful but not so fun holstering it around the thick bushes getting snagged everywhere. You can carry it unsheathed but personally I don't. We call our bolos 'binangon' (visayan region). And the blade is reversed, meaning the sharp edge is positioned on the straight length.
Thank you Alfonso! I really appreciate comments like this as It lets me know I'm on the right track. All the best mate, Ben
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here in brazil, the Tramontina 18" is the king. i use mine for years wih minimal maintance. sorry but i will copy your sheath design, that looks awesome lol! tks!
G'Day Sujo from Brazil! I have had a lot of Brazilians say the same over the years. It's a darn good size and weight. No need to apologize for copying the design though. Make it yourself PVC sheaths have been around for a long time and for good reasons. There is a youtuber called ANACONDA that makes a lot of big sheaths from PVC and I can find a link to his channel if you need it. Thanks for the complement mate. All the best from OZ, Ben
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Machete Bushcraft Australia tks so much for the answer. I made sheath for my axe. Now im going to make one for my tramontina and for a edc knife. Im a bog fan of your work and i dont think you talk too much lol. See ya!! :)
What a champion response mate! Honestly, It does not bother me in the slightest when people comment that I talk too much. Actually, I find it funny that they took the time to say it and I generally enjoy the interactions with them. As a rule, I do my best to make people smile, and that goes double for the grumpy ones. It is nice to hear that some viewers like a chat though! Thanks again for the complement mate. All the best from OZ, Ben
Sorry for the late reply. It's been busy here mate. No, the bolo's have the same base metal thickness as their regular line (about 2mm). The heavier latins (18") are only just slightly thicker at 2.3mm
They are the same three I use as well mate. Out of all the machetes to rise to the top in the west, it's the latin, bolo and cane knife. Actually, on that note, the cane knife is my favorite for opening young coconuts. It's thin enough to slice off the green husk and the spine is just right for cracking open a little drinking window.
Happy to share the info Imran. I know a lot have seen footage of people that just stick a machete through belt or wrap it in cloth to carry the tool. I don't believe they are very sharp to be honest. You could probably get away with doing that with a slightly dull machete, but if it's proper sharp, it wisest to carry them in a sheath.
Great to see another video from you Ben. I've got one of the 18" latins and have worked on it a little to improve it. I'm very jealous of the mirror polish you get on your cutting edges. I tried to replicate that when I did mine but couldn't get the same results by hand with the time I had available. Are yours done solely by hand or do you use a machine for some of the process as well?
G'Day James! First up, thanks for the complement. The 18's are a darn nice tool to use. Organising that sheath for James & Anna pushed me into using them again and I'm glad they did. You can get your edges that bright by hand only but it takes a fair bit of work. The trick is to go through lots of different abrasive grit sizes. The cheap way to getting a lot of different abrasives is to glue wet & dry sandpaper to strips of timber (think paint stirrer size) and use them in a stropping motion only. You will be surprised at how bright you can get it using this method. You can google the 'scary sharp' method if you want some good video footage on this. Then you can hand strop with an abrasive compound like green chrome. The other way is to just focus on the micro bevel when you're polishing. To be honest, this is the more appropriate way to go for a tool that is going to get used. This is very achievable by hand in the workshop or out on a camping trip. I find If you spend too much time sharpening, you won't want to use the tool as intended. To answer your question about how I sharpen and polish these edges, to be honest, I would go out of business if I still did these by hand only!. I use a 2x72" belt grinder with about 8 abrasive belts and two polishing belts. Even with a machine, each machete takes around 20 to 25min to go from blunt factory up to carving sharp and polished.... The polish takes the lions share of the time. Thanks for the comment and question. I hope it was helpful James and I'm happy to answer any more. I will always share info a fellow camper! All the best Mate, Ben
Cheer Bob, thanks for the complement! I have mentioned this many times before but I'm happy to pay forward the info that was shared with me. All the best, Ben
Much the same as you Lee but you won't often hear me bad mouth any other businesses product... unless it's an absolute banana. On the whole, I have found cold steel to be good value for the money. They were one of the first to mass produce decent cutlery at easy to justify prices. Because they made decent tools at fair prices, that same gear has been pounded all around the world by happy campers for many years now. I have quite a few of their knives and have sharpened many of them for customers over the years. If I had come across some glaring problems, I would mention it but I rate them as decent gear. Most users would be happy to work with the tools. My personal preference now is quite far from a tactical looking tool, but I'm just showing my age on that one. I prefer timber handles and unpainted simple carbon steel. I guess that is why I settled on proper agricultural machetes. I like real leather sheaths for knives and hard plastic sheaths for machetes. Oh, they do have a lot of good designers on the CS team! Out of all the big makers, Cold Steel (and KaBar) are one of the few that constantly innovate. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts mate! All the best Lee, Ben
Good to see you back Ben. I was starting to worry. Some excellent points made there. A poor sheath combo can drive you nuts. It is worth noting that most AUS Army issue machetes tend to be of a bolo design. Never saw a Latin style (That doesn't mean they don't exist), and only a small handful of golok style. I use a cheap golok style alongside an axe and saws, but I am in Tassie. Were I further North I reckon I'd copy the locals. Maybe drop the axe and saw. Batonning wood to split it for firewood is a good way for little kids to split wood. As much as I love watching my 6yo son have at it with his hatchet, it is a lot safer having him and his little sister bash the golok through a piece of wood for splitting. I do need to figure out a better sheath for the golok.
G'Day Heath, I was starting to worry myself and thank you for the comments! 'Mise en place' for your tools while out in the bush has always been important for me. I really dislike buried equipment! A good sheath helps a lot with the workflow.I think that is a hang up from being a carpenter. You're on point with Bolo's being popular here in OZ and to be honest, I forgot that while filming this clip. Most of the people who watch these clips are from the US or Canada and I sometimes focus on topics from their perspective. Two thumbs up for starting out your young ones early! It is so easy to forget how capable they are in this cotton wool world. I'm doing the same with my little workshop assistant. At the moment, we are focusing on safety equipment. Ear muffs and glasses are a must but the work gloves thing, he is stumbling on at the moment. I agree that a golok would be safer than a hatchet. Is it a martindale golok? I have been getting a lot of requests to start using them in these clips. I think I will look back into them again. All the best Mate, Ben
Cheers mate, Nothing fancy like a name brand golok I am afraid. My younger brother bought it well over 20 years ago. I found it in my shed, with 'Made in China' and a diamond stamp on it. So I started taking it out to the farm. A thick, heavy sharpened chopper but it works. I would hate to clear a decent area with it or do the bulk of traditional machete tasks with it. But to do hatchet type tasks with often dead hardwood, process firewood etc it does well, and with a bit more versatility. It doesn't often get worn on a belt. The poor sheath doesn't help. It gets nested on a very Gucci surplus axe carrier alongside a smallish axe and a 21" bowsaw blade. All held for now with rubber bands and my wifes hair bands. A good setup really, for when I want to clear a bit or cut some wood. You have sold me on a solid sheath, and once that is done something less ramshackle a coupling arrangement is in order for this lot. My brother spotted me with his old golok so two years ago I compensated for it by purchasing him a Woodmans Pal. He cuts a lot of firewood and this has been useful to him for clearing a work area, limbing trees and even hacking up some of the smaller limbwood. He's a real chainsaw man, but the tool also helps in clearing access to wood and to his beehives. Great on blackberry, which is important here. Now I am jealous of the Woodmans Pal. Safety gloves for kids? I thought I was doing well with glasses, but my boy is often more safety conscious than me. Last year we were sewing, on a machine. The needle broke and a piece shot out and hit my tongue. Weird, but it hurt. He wouldn't let me continue until he got his glasses. Where do you find safety suitable gloves or kids? I understand the gap between videos. It is hard to understand until you do it, as in last November after enough people suggesting it, and wanting to give something back, I kicked off a TH-cam channel of my own. Nothing as polished and focused as your productions. A 14 minute video, all planned out etc, took over 4 hours to edit. I've still got footage from a year ago to cut and shut. So I get it. Maybe one day I will dig out the machete type tool I got off a local in Southern Malaysia. Cheap, strong enough to cut what I needed to cut in the jungle. Come to think of it, I haven't tried it out on stuff down here, probably great for clearing pinrushes, tussocks, dock, sedges etc. BTW, though my golok might be a cheapy, and you've convinced me solid sheaths are the go, I really like the longer handle idea. I've got some big stumps of English Oak outside, many years dry. Down the track I might give it a go. Cheers, Mort
Mate thank you for the awesome response! Funny you should mention that as I now remember finding one of my Fathers machetes in a box last year somewhere on the farm. It was a Diamond brand (must be 35yrs old now) and felt as heavy as a truck leaf spring! It was a Latin shape from memory but I will go dig it up. The woodsman's pal is a very old, tried and tested bit of kit. The original sheaths were sheet metal with a little fold at the tip to hold the machete with one whole side exposed. It was a clever solution as the shape is very clumsy to sheath. I keep pinching gear from around the house for my workshop as well. Bamboo chopsticks, skewers, cotton makeup pads and pegs are the latest! Actually toilet paper is a new favorite. It's the cheapest and smallest shop towel you can get. It's perfect for glue runs, moving oil and paint drips etc. I'm extra safety conscious with my son as I don't want to disappoint the Mrs! No kid makes it through without loosing a bit of bark but I don't want him getting hurt either. Actually the Mrs is very understanding. I started off talking with her years ago that when the kids come along, It is important that we structure their growth physically and mentally! All that meant was that the kids will be carefully exposed to normal life on a farm in a safe and controlled manner. Hey, country kids have to have some advantages with growing up so far away from the city. Safety equipment for kids is hidden in Bunnings. It took us a while to find some decent gear. The proper glasses are in the power tools department with the adult glasses. I think the ear muffs ( Protector Junior EH4J class 4 23db) are there as well but they may be in the garden tools section with the kids gloves. He is good with the ear muffs and glasses but putting the gloves on are a challenge. I have not picked up a respirator or a dust mask for him yet so I have been keeping him away from dust and nasties in the workshop. I can test somewhat that it is fitted correctly but he may move the dust mask around while we are working so I don't see that it is worth the risk just yet. Actually on that note, I had to teach him to check that the ear muffs are on properly (he has long hair and was just past 3 at that stage). It took a while but I figured out that if you put some music on and cover their ears with your hands, I could show what 'muffled' sounds like. He now knows to move the cups around until everything sounds a little muffled and quiet. Thumbs up for taking the plunge into making YT clips! I felt the same way. After years of learning from the internet, I felt I should contribute something back. You're on point with that, it takes a whole lot of time and effort to make something decent for YT. I learned that the hard way as well. Post up a link here but put it in a new comment as It will be lost at the end of this thread. It will come through as spam but I will OK it when I find it. All the best Mort! Kind regards, Ben
Cheers. Gotta wonder what a sheet metal sheath for a Woodmans Pal would be like. I imagine it being noisy. The sheath that came with my brothers one isn't very good. I can sew cordura nylon and was going to make a multipurpose sheath for it but I keep seeing kydex type sheaths and they do look the go. I've never tried it. I've been lucky I suppose with the young fellow and earmuffs. He always hated loud noises. Then he insisted on coming to the range. Sorted that one out himself. It is odd doing the youtube videos. We all discover our voices sound weird. I'm still getting used to that. Then, a lot of info I convey I consider obvious and feel like I am insulting peoples intelligence. I have to force myself to remember that most people weren't as lucky as I was, having the childhood I got to have, so it isn't all that obvious or natural to them. It was experiencing this in face to face life, and in forum discussions that was part of why people suggested I try my hand at videos or a book. The young fulla has watched me make enough now that he wants to make his own, which is pretty funny. Not sure whether to upload them or not, and if so, do we make a channel or just a playlist for him on my channel for now. These days you got to be careful and my mrs isn't sure about the whole thing, even him being in my videos. Don't blame her. She suggested at least a name change for the channel. Just to be sure, are suggesting I post a link to one of my videos, or to my channel in the comments to this video of yours? I'd feel pretty jack. Cheers mate, Mort
Mate I struggle with that as well. By default, I really dislike telling people how to do something. The only way I can get around that is to just share what I know or how I like to so something. I fully admit, everything I have learnt, someone else took the time to share the info with me at some stage. Everyone is after something different. Personally I like information heavy YT clips and I will happily wait for one or two points that I might find useful. Some people want to be entertained, others want to see people jumping around doing silly things. What I have learnt is to just present the information in the way you feel most comfortable. As far as young ones on YT, I'm in the same boat as you. I had a chat with the Mrs about it years ago as I did not want to many photos of my son up on facebook. My only take on that now is I ask myself 'will this benefit my son or potentially cause harm?' . The answer comes fairly quick after that. Have you had a look at ABS plastic? It is far cheaper and easier to get here in OZ. Sure, kydex is stronger, but not by that much and it won't make any difference to a sheath. Hey that machete of my fathers was a very old golok after all! I'm going sharpen it up and if it holds an edge after some chopping, I will bling it out a little. Mate, absolutely post up a link to your channel on this comment section. MBA is by no means a big channel but I'm happy to help when ever I can. If you put it in a new comment, It won't get lost at the bottom of this thread. All the best mate! Ben
I believe that the length of your limbs vs moment of inertia of the weapon is a pretty huge thing in chopping. Depending on what torque you can generate with your own body, you may find your best performance with a longer or shorter or lighter or heavier tool.
That is a darn good point and to be honest, I never tried to unpick the dynamics of it. I'm not going to pretend that I fully understand the physics of it all but the simple side of it rings true. Trying lots of different styles and sizes of machetes while doing the tasks you want to perform generally is the test for most people. I'm lucky here on the farm as we would get a lot of voulinteers come in and clear weeds along the riverbanks with machetes. Of all the styles and choices of machetes they could pick, most settled on these light Bolo's for the task. Age, sex and size made little difference. Some of the bigger lads showed a preference for a longer Latin at first but after days of chopping, the lighter and shorter Bolo's start looking very enticing! For me, it is not just the chopping that is important. I use machetes for a lot of different tasks. If I can get away with fewer tools easily enough, I will pick that option. If it were just chopping, I think I would still be bringing a hatchet. Thanks for the input Adam! Much appreciated. All the best, Ben
I'm clearing 2 completely bushed out, overgrown acres of deciduous oak forest with a machete and a folding saw. For exercise and because I don't want to pay someone else to do it. Best meditation time ever man. 10/10, would recommend to a friend.
Trent, I'm definitely in your camp on that point. It's such a quiet way to work. You really get to know your land when working like this. Weed identification is important and you're more likely to see them when you're on the ground vs a tractor. Sometimes you get little surprises when you come across the wild life living there. You have a much better chance of protecting them when working with a machete. The snakes will hear you coming a mile away and they have the time to move out of your way. I'm glad you're enjoying the process Trent. Thanks for the comment mate. All the best, Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Thanks man! Yeah it becomes a creative enterprise, you're shaping a landscape by hand. Awesome sheath by the way, PVC is underrated in the pantheon of great inventions!
Have you had a chance to try out the Tramotina 12 inch Latin style machete? I'm curious if you think a bolo style machete would still win in all the categories you mentioned. Trying to narrow down between the two. Thanks!
That is a really good question Desmond and yes, I have been testing the shorter 12" latins lately. One comment that has come up a few times is that if you're comfortable with using machetes, you can get them all to sing. 12" latins are very popular in Jamaica and I have been told they are used as the general purpose, every day machete. I really agree to be honest, but personally, I will still stick with a thin bolo. I do really like the 12" Latins though. Some of the areas where the shorter 12" latins excel over a Tram Bolo would include: It's lighter (if you're carrying a lot of gear), more nimble due to the length (good for untangling a mess) and the pointy tip has more crafting options. Where it lacks is in chopping power (Dry Aussie hardwood is tough) and it's short so clearing below the knee is not it's strong suit. You can still process firewood and clear with the 12", it's just a little slower. Now how does that help someone trying to make a choice? Probably not a whole lot. Although I often use a machete for craft style work, I generally have a small crafting knife with me anyway and tend to use that for the pointy style work. One real advantage to a machete/knife combo is that I save most of the hard work and crafting for a machete that is very easy to sharpen. I save the knife for the detailed work if it ever comes up. I hope that was helpful mate. All the best, Ben
Thank you kindly for the complement my friend! I would not go so far as to say it was awesome but I do my best to make every clip better than the last! It is nice to be appreciated though. Cheers mate, Ben
Thanks again for a great video. My 30cm (12in) blade golok is a baby compared to the latin, but it makes up for it in heft, and I use it for more than brush cutting so a longer blade would be too cumbersome for my needs. I'd use the Bolo over the Latin as well I think. I've had a Bolo in a past life and it worked well for me.
I was a little surprised at how well that Latin chopped! Length, weight and the thicker steel all added up to extremely deep cuts in that seasoned timber. I would still pick a Bolo before anything else but darn it, The choice is not as easy anymore! There is something very stylish and classic about the Martindale golok's. Their are a few machetes and bush knives that I regretted giving away and one of them was the M golok.
If it's really bad and you're feeling confident, a small angle grinder is called the 'universal farm sharpener'. Files are generally what most people use though.
I'm probably going to have to go through your links, but I'm wondering where I can purchase the two machetes in the thumbnail of this video. I've been watching your channel for years and I've been thoroughly impressed by your kit and I'm looking for a taste myself.
G'day Hadrian! That is a good question mate. I think some people may find it really useful to have a sawback machete but you're right, I find it a bit of a gimmick. Machetes get used quite hard at times and every valley of each tooth is a potential stress riser crack waiting to happen. The ones I have seen don't have much set on the teeth so once you're past the teeth in depth, the friction begins to build. You can get around this by cutting till the saw binds, then chip out one side with the machete to create clearance. I don't know many people who hand sharpen saws anymore and I doubt they would want to do it in the bush. There are other better uses to the spine of the machete and quality saws from thin steel are not that expensive. One of the Aussie viewers here uses reciprocating saw blades and their utility handles out in the bush. Bosch has a lot to offer in that department. Fiskars and Bahco also make great quality saws. Silky is right up there. Super thin pull saws for the bush. I think saws make a great addition to a kit but I'm not a fan of them on the back of a knife or machete. ... Just my 2c worth though. How about you Hadrian. Have you found them useful?
Machete Bushcraft Australia yea got a ontario saw bsck. The machetr is self is heavy chopper. The saw back is like dafaq. Dont know why i got it. Went up to buderim waterfalls in the heavy bush. Tried sawing somethings but it was more of the same things i could just use the machete to cut with. But yea i got a bahco
Mate, they look good idea to a lot of people so don't be hard on yourself. I remember thinking the same years ago when gerber brought them out. I just googled it. Is yours about 2mm thick? If you get really frustrated with it, I would grind or cut the teeth back. It looks like there is enough width to the blade pull it off. Are you in QLD? I can do it for you if your happy to pay the shipping.
Machete Bushcraft Australia i live on the sunny coast lol just down the road from you. But all good mate ill give this one to a zombie apocalypse mate hahaha
I had bought back in the 80’s a Chinese copy of a French Machete, is was short, made out of a mile steel and had a weighted head. I had a chance to use it when a small oak tree fell across the road. I was surprise of just how fast it would cut through the small oak. Because it not the best steel in the world, its need to be sharpen often. The trick would to make out of a better quality steel and it would make a great camping tool. Everything from digging a small pit to chopping wood.
G'Day Me! It's nice when you stumble across a forgotten tool that solves a problem. I must admit, I do like the shorter machetes that are tip heavy. It might be a throwback from using axes so much when I was younger. If I could offer a suggestion, do a little research on the pattern style to see if their is anything similar. It might be an original wildcat with a few benefits that we all have not tested. You can always shoot off an email to Joe Flowers (owner of Condor Tools) if you think it has merit. Actually, post up a link here if you find any pictures of it online. I'm curious to see it to be honest. All the best Me, Ben
Say Heah, Again, Ben. Oh, today, I teamed my 3V Skookum Bush Tool with my Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Parangatang. A lovely piece of kit. I also brought my Wooden Handle Fiskar Power Teeth Folding Saw and my Gerber Multi Tool. Yeah, the area I went to still has alot of Brambles.,,. p
I have only recently got back into carrying a saw with me. Darn handy tool to have. Their was another TH-camr who had a clip showing the use of reciprocating saw blades and their handles out in the bush. He is so on point with it to be honest. I stopped using them as I did not want to rely on something I could not maintain out in wilderness (Now that I'm a bit older, I think that thought is flawed) but you can easily carry replacement blades and swap them out depending on what you're cutting. I will post up a link to his clip tomorrow when I'm back in the workshop. All the best Paulie! Ben.
In my country Trinidad 🇹🇹 they sell panga machetes but we usually cut them to look like a bolo after purchase.We do this so it can fit easier in a case but I can assure u,there is not a single household without one.We use them for self defense and as a gardening tool alike
That's a really interesting question mate! I can't say I have ever had anyone ask before. To be honest, either would do just fine. If properly sharp, both will easily slice young coconut husks off. The spine on both is just as effective at cracking the shell open to get to the milk and meat. If I had to pick between them, I would still pick that bolo. It's sweet spot is closer to the tip and it's shorter. Those two points combined make them a little safer to use when holding what you're cutting. I find it safer to crack open a little window at the top to drink from when using the spine on the bolo. ...to be honest, I went into that answer a little too much. If sharp, both work just fine. On a side note, if you're not planning on using the shell for a project, you can just slam the young coconut (fresh picked, green husk and all) against the tree with the seam facing the trunk. This cracks it open enough to spill the milk. It's messy to drink but it's a quick way to get at it.
Actually a Panga is just one of the many different styles of machete. The panga with its swollen head shape will perform very similarly to the bolo as far as chopping and crafting. It has two good features that the bolo does not. That flat section at the tip is a really good long stalk harvesting tool and is used while standing. You don't need to bend over to cut close to the ground level. You can bend the stalk with one hand and push that flat section into the stalk. The more pronounced tip can have its crafting uses. That was a good question Thornton.
No problem mate! Here is an Amazon link to the Tramontina Bolo: www.amazon.com/Tramontina-TT4014-Bolo-Machete-Sword/dp/B00JNRF196 And here is a link to the Tramontina 18" Latin: www.amazon.com/Tramontina-Machete-Hardwood-Handle-Sheath/dp/B00LUZU6YO
Very happy to find your channel! I think that machetes tend to be considered less "noble" than axes or hatchets. It certainly is a misunderstanding from many folks and a dumb prejudice from some people. Axes have had much more fim and tv participation at the hand of heores than machetes have. Correct me if I am wrong, but axes are more traditional in the northern hemisphere for bush/woodland activities, and probably more suited for the type of forest you find there. Now, machetes, in the southern hemisphere have been the king, no matter if not as aristocratic! Again, the type of forest is more suitable for everyday use of a machete over an ax in the tropics. A question: what would be different if you compared a similar size latin machete with a bolo? Thx
G'Day onipise and thank you for the complement! I agree with you an all the points. Bushcraft knives and hatchets are firmly centre stage in the west. I still really like using them but my first choice will always be a machete. They are very versatile tools and good quality ones are still cheaply had. There is however, a big stigma attached to machetes here in the west. If you're not a farmer or involved with the bush, most people wrongly view them as just weapons. It is lazy thinking but unfortunately that is the norm these days. As you said, some situations you're going to need an axe. But I have never had an issue processing firewood with a machete. As far as shelter or tool building goes, I have never been lacking of a solution with a machete either. Each to their own though. I really like the fact that we have so many options to choose from! So if we had a shorter latin to match the bolo with the same steel thickness, which would chop/perform better? I feel that is an easy answer even though I have not tested it but It would be a bolo all the way. I'm not a physicist but that extra weight over the cut just drives the machete in much deeper. I feels nice to swing with a tip heavy tool. To be honest, there is a lot going on that I can't explain. The extra steel in the cut area stiffens the machete ( for example, the tip past the cut on tapered latins can whip around if your techinique is not so good). Couple that with the extra weight past the cut and a heavy handle and you have a tool does not whip and vibrate in your hand while heavy chopping.... That response probably ended up as clear as mud. It is a good question mate and I'm going to have a good think about that if you don't mind. All the best, Ben
G'day mate good to hear an Aussie opinion on this. Had various styles over the years and prefer the tramontina bolos, and a little cut down 10 inch latin comes in handy for clearing and fishing jobs. Cheers from Taylor's arm area
It's always nice to hear from another Aussie mate! I'm in your camp regarding the little latins. I use the light 12" latin as a companion tool with a small chainsaw or brushcutter. A lot of new machete users often don't bother trying the smaller ones. It's a shame as they really are the 'little machete that could'. I'm sure you already know this but for the other readers: If your technique is good (really basic to learn) and the machete is sharp, these smaller machetes can tackle quite large branches. Thanks for the comment mate! All the best Kurt, Ben
Late to the parade. Love the way you talk through the differences, length and weight. These small difference really do make a difference. The environment and culture also adds to the plot. I've always said the best tool is probably what the locals are using. One style missing is the golok, as in Martindale golok. The one I really like is the Skrma, a new take on the old design. Look them up as I think you would love it. (Wee bit more expensive but then they are made well and the steel is a class up). Mostly the handle design gives a fresh. very manageable; I'm a fan I'm going to watch a few more of your vids now. ATB
G'Day Muskett and thank you for the complement! I do like the golok style as well, and I plan to do another comparison clip in the future with it. The Martindale version does have a cult like following (for good reason) but did you mean the Skrama made in Finland? If so, it looks darn handsome to be honest. I stumbled across them a few years back but have not had the chance to test one out as yet. The handle design is what caught my interest. Actually on that note, the Skrama is where I got the idea of putting a longer 'handle and a half' on a machete. That is one mod I really like on a crafting tool that is tip heavy. Thanks for the comment and support Muskett. All the best, Ben
I've always liked my knives and seeing how other people use theirs. Near on 30 years ago I was there when Ray Mears picked up his first Woodlore from Alan Wood! Not a knife I'm completely convinced with. Anyhow, yes, I do mean the Skrama; I'm a fan. When back in stock just get a carbon one, as it will add to your interest. Just wished I'd though it up! They have done a good job too with it; and its not silly money. What caught my attention on your video is the weight and balance thing. You understand it. Only takes a bit to change the complete function of a blade and its dexterity. I don't get the modern American take on heavy choppers. On overbuilt knives as a whole. Smacks of people who don't work with knives other than playing. No one else has historically used "heavy" build in that way, so its a modern thing. Lofty Wiseman used a Martindale golok before bringing out his hard wood bolo. The Martindale is on the soft side and struggles to keep an edge, and the Wiseman Survival Tool was hard but not tough enough. I quite like panga designs, though most are pretty soft for using on soft things. My son's got to Australia, maybe I will do one day. Just gets me how many different environments there are out there. No knife can do it all. Have fun, stay safe.
I'm sorry for the late response Muskett. Time gets away from me lately. Well, that is a bit of history there! It's hard not to be a fan of Ray Mears but I also share the same opinion on the Woodlore knife. I'm guessing the original is the same style as his modern one and Alan Wood makes some of the best, I just favour other edge styles over scandi. Scandi edges are darn lovely to use in the bush and have a cult like following, but I find they take too much time and care to keep them tipped up. I'm definitely in the minority with that opinion though. The original Kephart style is more to my liking. You're on the money about the hardness of bush knives. Although they are thicker than machetes, they are rarely any harder. The Martindale golok is the perfect example as it's so common. They could have increased the hardness a few points and still had a robust tool. If you have a simple system and you're quick at field sharpening, it really is not an issue at all but, the new generation are demanding a whole lot more from their knives. Edge retention tends to be at the forefront. Thank you for the comments and support Muskett. All the best mate, Ben
One other take on the bolo is the out of production Blackjack Marauder II. All weight forward and once committed there is no stopping. For using instead of an axe. When I was young I could control one, not now. The Skrama suits my needs, or its a chainsaw. As I say "the locals have probably got it right". Could chat knives over a barrel of beer.... or two even. Another time, keep the vid coming. ATB Muskett
That's a monster but the right tool for clearing. If I was not using a big brush cutter before a machete cleanup on a fence line, a much longer machete is a big advantage.
Good question MOO. I might have already answered this but smaller Latins are also a very capable tool. A point that has come up a few times from long time machete users is that size and shape becomes less important the more confident you become (ZERO innuendo intended). I do agree with that perspective. I think the biggest point that I could separate them on would be chopping power vs crafting. The bolo will easily out chop the same latin even if the steel is a little thicker. The latins have a more useful tip for crafting. Personally, I prefer to carry a small crafting knife as a companion tool anyway (like a Mora) so for me personally, I'm siding with a bolo. Thanks for asking that MOO. All the best mate, Ben
Thanks for the complement Rob! The sheaths are all mine mate. I needed a whole lot more from the standard canvas and leather sheaths most of us have seen and used with machetes. Apart from being more cut resistant, I wanted something that was very fast to draw and stow. A bit like how a butcher uses their sheaths. I made a rough one years ago from PVC to use around the farm as well as when I'm in the bush. I love it so much, I just tweaked the design a little and ended up with that system you see in the clip. All the best from OZ, Ben
One important problem with your review. Latin machetes comes at many sizes, for instance tramontina has 10, 12, 16, 18 and 20 inches machetes too, they are sold in amazon just like the one you get. The main difference in the design between a bolo and a latin is that the bolo is tip heavier and carry a bigger punch with the same length but you would get tired faster than with a latin machete.
100% Agree mate! To simplify it, I went with the 18 inch latin as typically this is the most common size and style westerners use. Actually I would say that this is the style and size most westerns think about when they hear the word 'machete'. People that use machetes know there are a multitude of other flavours to choose from. If you were to ask most people in a nation that still heavily used machetes, they would class that 18" latin as small. The point of the clip was to share that westerners typically use machetes differently, that there are other options and that bigger is not necessarily better. Thanks for the input zenjr1004! I'm sure others will find the info helpful. All the best, Ben
G'Day G P. These sheaths are custom made by us. Actually some of them were prototypes in this clip (it was a while ago now). There are lots of tutorials online regarding do it yourself PVC machete sheaths. Kydex style sheaths are easier to get a neater look using basic tools but you end up with a slightly wider sheath due to the rivet seam. ABS plastic is far cheaper than Kydex and it's fine for a sheath. I hope that was helpful mate. All the best, Ben
Oh, yeah. I´m a scythe-nerd and getting into the sight of expanding my world of using other tools - now machetes. Saw this video by surfing the youtube. Like it a lot. Just like me. A nerd with knowledge of a certain tool - making bad videos! Have a webshop in Denmark and would like to get much more into the use of the machete, although a lot of machete-work would be so much easier done by using a scythe. I really like your nerd-skilled way and relation to the machete. Just saw this video, without searching if you have more - and just had to make a comment. You have inspired me further into this tool - so I´ll send you all my credits. Thanks a lot for making this video.
G'Day from Australia mate and thank you for the complement and comments! I love it, I can't say I have been called a nerd in a long while but It's a complement. I am a nerd to be honest. I do like working out the mechanics behind what I'm working with. I find it usually leads to faster work and less mistakes. Now onto scythes, they take a lot more skill to maintain and drive. I think you will find machetes a walk in the park in comparison. You are right, scythes can do a lot of work much faster than a machete. I recently came across a speed competition where they tested a big petrol brushcutter vs a scythe. The scythe was much faster but they mentioned nothing about the quality of the job. The scythe finished much faster, the lawn was left very neat and everything he cut was neatly placed in a windrow to the side. You could have easily picked up each bunch by hand. The petrol brush cutter had nothing on it. The advantage to a machete is that it's far more diverse in its application. It's this reason it became the 'do all tool' for the poorer farmer. They are far simpler to manufacture and maintain. The 'jack of all' will never be the master of one task like the scythe though. In a world without petrol tools, a scythe would be sorely missed. Thanks for stopping by mate! All the best, Ben
I just discovered your channel, great stuff! As someone who maintains a fairly large (100 acres+) woodland lot with mixed deciduous and conifer growth, my golok style machete has served fairly well (though it does get tiresome) for de-limbing large trees when they crowd into the trails. Just wondering what your ideal too would be for this kind of trail maintenance. Thanks for the vids!!
G'Day Andrew and thanks for the complement mate! I can see why you like the golok style bush knives for de-limbing. The thicker steel in them makes it perform a little more like an axe. You're not alone, it would tire out most after a while. Most westerners would grab petrol tools (myself included) but It defeats the purpose of living in a quiet part of the world. If I'm just going for a walk, I would rather chip weeds with a machete as I stroll around. Have you though about a combo setup? Pruning saws are the most energy efficient way to cut limbs thicker than your forearm and use the golok for cleanup. You may even find a lighter and thinner machete would be a good companion to a pruning saw. I really dislike folding tools but a pruning saw would be one of the only exceptions. Another advantage to sharp saws is that they will leave a cleaner cut that the tree can heal from faster. If you do go that route, don't skimp on the quality of the saw (Sliky, Bahco or Fiskars). Grab a few replacement blades while your at it. You can tip up the nice Japanese hardpoint saws with a thin diamond file but you can't re sharpen them or reset the teeth. They stay sharp for a long time if you're careful with them. Saws spread disease between trees much faster than machetes though. If your concerned about that, metho (alcohol fuel) in a squirt bottle will clean most machetes real fast but you will need a stiff brush to clean in the saws teeth. It does not sound like you need to clear weeds at ground level as you mentioned over hanging branches. The longer latins really shine in that department but they are a monster to wield for any length of time. 18" is classed as a short machete by anyone living in the jungle. I would say 22"-26" is more common for low ground work. I hope that helps buddy! All the best from OZ, Ben
Thanks for the quick and informative response, Ben! I've got an old pruning saw that I use sometimes, but it doesn't fold. Makes for a pain to carry. I'll probably invest in a new one soon enough. I'd say cheers, but that wouldn't be very seppo of me. Take care!
hahaha!! It's nice to see the banter between OZ and our US cousins is still alive and kicking mate! I'm happy to share the info with a fellow camper. All the best, Ben
I have and have used most of the time and seem to fall back on whenever I need a long cutting tool is a Malaysian parang. What's your views on these as tools to use in the Australian bush environment? I've used mine in jungle and tropical areas of Queensland. Thanks
G'Day Swampy! I think they are a great tool to be honest. I really like the shape and the way they cut (much more so than a khukuri). To me, most of the common machete/bush knives styles perform well here in Australia when they are tuned up properly. If the handle is comfortable and secure and the edge has been profiled and sharpened properly, it's going to work. The Malays know how to do this very well. My only issue with the traditional tools is hardness. Some heat treat their knives properly and others can make them a bit on the soft side and you're not going to know until you test them out for yourself. Sometimes you will get one that is a pearler and other times you just get dents when processing wood for a fire. I'm guessing but part of that problem is getting access to known steel. SICUT is a well known brand here in OZ (Australia owned business and made in Borneo) I bet the quality control would be right up there. Condor is another (US owned made in El Salvador?) with a good reputation. That was a good question mate!
@@dwenchan831 Yes and no. It is intended to be on the softer side due to the use of found or basic steels and very simple hardening techniques. By keeping it soft, you're guaranteeing a very tough tool. We have come a long way in the past decades with consistent steel quality as well as better heat treatment protocols. These bushknives being so thick can easily be made to be slightly harder than what they are. Machetes need to be a little softer because they are thin. Bushknives if made properly can be made a little harder.
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia I guess it depends where one lives also and whether one is using it for an extended jungle trip or just a short bush outing. I live in Northern Borneo by the way, and the parang design allows it to be easily maintained and repaired in the field far away from a workshop eg. in the jungle- something that cannot be achieved with a riveted handled blade for example. But at the end of the day any blade in the bush is better than no blade.
That would be a more 'Apples with Apples' comparison and I did neglect it for a reason, but it is still a good question. I chose the 18" Latin as it is the most common size and style in OZ, and its bigger than the Bolo. This clip was more about showing that a smaller tool can sometimes have advantages. The Bolo really punches above its weight in that category. Now if you asked a Jamaican (and many others), they really love the 14" latins. There will always be differing opinions on everything. The rest of this answer is just my take on the tool. The 14" latin will have the advantage of a pointy tip. I think the real advantage of the Bolo is the chopping power with more weight past the sweet spot. As far as draw length, weight, carving & crafting ability, portability, sheath length etc...they will come out on par IMO. Maybe the Latin would have a very slight advantage with crafting (pointy tip)...but not by much. Now here comes the cultural differences. Most of the cultures around the world that still use machetes daily, tend to use the one machete for many tasks. I think most westerners would still carry a small hard steel crafting knife as a companion to a machete. I think a lot of the important detailed work you would use the machete tip for, would probably be done with a crafting knife. As mentioned before, it's just my 2 cents worth on the topic. All the best mate, Ben
Finally found someone outside of the axe vs knife debate and gets into the real tool needed! Edit: I'm more into the Latin style. Just preferance but what is the one you use for demonstration in the video?
Cheers mate! I do still like and use knives and axes but I much prefer a proper thin machete these days. The debates on different tools is never ending! My take on it that most of the points are valid from a personal perspective so just pick the tools you like. In the clip, it's an 18" Tramontina Latin. I gave it a a sharpen and put a bigger handle on it. Darn good tool to be honest, especially with the heavier handle.
Yeah buddy a bolo is great for my bushcrafting needs its the best I also find that a bolo has very little shock if any, I use the tramontina bolo , its cheap easily maintain it and highly functional, cheap metal but still lasts for years
I like a thin and springy latin. Longer. I clear a lot and maintain trails. Keeps me from being bent over a lot. Very sharp. Thin keep from tiring. Sharp does too. Love your scabbard. I like a blade about matching my inseam, but I usually use one 6" shorter.
I also appreciate that you clearly use them for practical work not just showing off some obscure survival trick. most of the reviews I've seen are looking at extreme durability and speed busting through a log. All of that is almost irrelevant to what tool can you use all day without being exhausted. I used to clear mountain sides for my uncle and Grandpa's a kid and now I maintain trails occasionally for a family friend. A heavy machete with such as an Ontario machete will just wear you out. if you go to a Latin American country the ones they are actually using are actually pretty thin. It is hard to find good machetes in America. One usually sees the same two or three brands for sale. They are not particularly Sharpand their balances center percussion or just wrong in a way that is hard to define. My favorite machete that I currently own is made by corona
I'm in your camp on that point. I much prefer thin and light. If its sharp and your technique is good, you really can get a small tool to punch above its weight. Thanks for the complement mate. ATB from OZ, Ben
Nail on the head with that comment. I see these primarily as tools that can be used for camp craft. Heavy wears me out. I actually learned that lesson watching how people from Vanuatu use machetes. A good cut is never a competition. They just safely chip away at the task. There is not a whole lot of choice when it comes to machetes in the west...well when you compare the vast choice of styles, shapes and sizes you can find south of the border. At least you have close access to some of the custom makers. Again, thanks for the comments mate. It's nice to hear from people who have a family history working out in the bush. It sounds like an important memory you have with your Uncle and Grandfather. I'm starting to think these experiences are becoming rare in the west? All the best mate, Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia well I grew up in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and a little bit of Alaska and a little bit of Hawaii. Alaska is definitely not tame but is not really machete country either. Everything there is very springy and tough. But Pacific Northwest machetes are great. most of the ones you see in stores are just completely worthless though. I went to Nicaragua and Guatemala and was very excited to see good machetes available very inexpensively. I only managed to bring a couple back though. The aforementioned Coroneta another Coroneta one that was too long for my luggage I gave to a local and a machete calabozo blade which is a little bit oversized from what I saw most people using. I mostly bought that one as a novelty but it is a very handy thing. Mine is a bit heavy but using it for whacking through something stouter works well, and it works very well to use as a pruning hook to reach down or up and hook behind a branch and pull in line with the grain. That's a very low effort cut.
How much do you charge for a sheath, I have a Tramantina Latin style that was the 22 inch but I cut it down to 15 1/2 inch blade and I’d love to have one of those sheaths in black?
What do you think of the aussie army surplus bolo machete's? I have one I bought back in the 90's, the date stamp on it is 1945, and its a very solid well made tool but have wondered what their quality was like. I'm guessing it would be fairly high quality being a military spec version.
They are actually quite good quality Catey. They are also quite collectable as well. Now, I'm no expert on military tools but generally they are good quality but the wartime ones can vary, especially towards the end of the conflicts. Of all the Australian bolo's I have seen they have been well heat treated tools. Now I would probably pick a modern machete for a general purpose farm tool because it will perform just the same and I'm not loosing out by beating up a tool that can easily be replaced. If I wanted something personal with a bit of history as a camping and hiking tool, I would be restoring it for use. Either way, take care of it Catey. There are not many of them left. I get emails from our Army guys and girls who restore them as a project. I hope that was helpful. All the best, Ben
Thank you, it was helpful. and will definitely look after it, though it's in very good condition, just a little light surface rust on the blade but no pitting at all, still has the original 'blue' colour to it. the cross hatch pattern bakelite handles are in near mint condition and I have the original canvas scabbard which is also in excellent shape.will have to do a light clean up of it then and keep it looking nice.
To be honest, that sounds like it is in very good condition. I can't say I have seen one that was not trashed. Most of them ended up as garden tools soon after the war. You have a good one by the sounds of it. Take some pictures and email them to the war museum in Canberra. They might be interested.
G'Day Charles and that is a great question. To be honest, I really like them! They are light, short and very in expensive. Anything they lack in chop-ability can be compensated with by battening on the side of a branch. They are easier to craft small task with and you can still use the tip to perform the difficult crafting cuts found on a Mors Try stick (you can't do all the cuts with a Bolo). You just pinch the blade near the tip. You can dress game like rabbits and fish with them. They are perfect for camp chores and kitchen prep. I call these little 12" knives a Scout Machete. If I was still a Scout, This would be the tool I take with me. It's small, light and up to most of the tasks a bushcrafter might find themselves in. They are a good tool to learn on as well.
A year ago I found a bolo while helping my dad clear his garage out, I asked him about it and he said “take it, I’m never gonna touch the thing”. Half of the handle was chipped off, the blade mostly rusted and the handle bolts were pitiful and crusty. I tore the handles off, polished and sharpened the blade to a razor, and installed two new walnut scales for a handle. I gotta say: the BEST all-around tool for brushwork and clearing, I take it camping and love doing all kinds of jobs with it. A satisfying tool to use effectively for sure
Some of the older ones are real pearls! I find I get quite attached to the tool that I rescue, especially the ones that have a family history. I hope you get many years out of it mate.
All the best from OZ,
Ben
Did you ever show your dad the end result? What did he think of the work you did?
@@Mr.Foxhat I did show him after my work was done, and he didn’t even recognize it! He said he was proud of the work I did on it and that I did a great job. I brought him camping this summer and he saw me using it, and said he was glad he didn’t just chuck it, so that I could find use in it.
Kudos for rescuing the blade instead of throwing it away. I also try to fix things as much as I can instead of buying new ones, it's an excellent way to learn something new even if you fail, and using a fixed thing is so much more satisfying. Hope the bolo serves you well!
Absolutely! I definitely agree!!!
G'day, mate from the Philippines! I absolutely LOVE this video you made! Kudos for this! There's actually one other advantage a Bolo has over the machete: Because it's shorter & handier, it makes a VERY GOOD close combat weapon! Doubt me? Just ask the Spaniards, Americans & Japanese who invaded us! Because we (used to) carry & use them every day on the farm in the provinces, we get to swing it around A LOT which means for an Arnisador or Eskrimador (which I am!), we get to be VERY proficient in their use as weapon. In short, the Bolo was the world's first multi-tool & weapon! If doubt me, look for other TH-cam videos featuring the Bolo Bayonet! I promise you that you WON'T be disappointed! As to protecting your hand when chopping brush, why not fit a knuckle guard or finger guard in the style of old 19th century cutlasses & swords? That way, you can still use it to chop brush even if you have no gloves. That's how my Bolo is like! Anyway, I wish you the BEST to you and yours! Stay well & love from the Philippines!
strangely enough, in my country Jamaica, our machete are in the reverse of yours. our bolo style machete is about 1 or 2 inches longer than that latin style. a machete is the work horse tool in Jamaica, as a matter of fact it's the only tool that most people can ever be able to own. our bolo style, (we called the 28) is the choice pick. we also have 2 other popular machetes, the cane bill, used for chopping sugarcane and the hook bill, aka "tun pint" or (turned point). the only latin style usually seen much use on the island is a small knife-like one known as the "Cuban", used by coconut and sugarcane street venders. it is also a handy little tool to carry around for bushcraft and lite work.
Mate thanks for sharing! I really enjoy hearing how machetes and their use vary in each country. I'm surprised that the bolos are more popular as the latin seams to be the go to tool for a lot of other countries south of the US border. Another popular machete around here is the short cane knife. Darn handy tool to be honest. I use them for anything really green and soft. Actually, its my choice for a coconut knife but they are not locally grown this far south of the tropics.
All the best Anubus,
Ben
You mean "cutlass" brudda...😎
Don't forget di good ol "lassy"
@trekker75 Mate, I'm a huge fan of them as well. They are dynamite in anything small and green. They are easy to keep sharp as well.
I can't say I have come across any good belt sheath system that I was happy to use and they tend to take an a lot of damage when processing dry hardwood branches for a fire.
I also cut away a little bit of the steel behind the hook to make it a deeper. Not by much but enough to hook under 2" sticks.
I enjoyed the video. A main premise seems to be that Latin machetes are 18 inches or longer and heavy but this is not always the case. Here in Jamaica, I have two 14 inch Tramontina Latin machetes, one in the pick-up truck and one for home and they do everything from clearing tall grass and brush to opening coconuts and felling young trees with up to 8 inch thick trunks. I really like the light feel that allows precise and fast strokes without fatigue. Latin machetes also have a sharp point that can be used for piercing while Bolos are broad at the tip.
G'Day SirLingPing (love the name!), and I could not agree more. You're on point, both bolos and latins come in all different length and weights. The thin 18" latin is probably the most common style and length of machete in the developed west. I picked the 18" for that reason and compared it to my favourite, the 14" light bolo.
I'm also in your camp, I prefer a lighter, smaller machete that I can move faster. I do miss having a pointy tip at times as well. Generally, westerners will carry a small companion knife if they are using a machete (or any other tool) in the bush. I think that is partly due to us not knowing how useful a machete can really be on its own. Carrying a companion knife is not a tradition that will disappear any time soon.
Machete length and style is also very regional. I have had quite a few comments from around Jamaica saying much the same as you. 12-14" Latins are most common. I know in the south pacific Islands around Australia, they all want their machetes 28" long. Personally, I find them far too big to manage. They use the 12" latins for food prep.
Thanks for the comments and complement Sir Ling Ping.
All the best,
Ben
I like the info. Here in the Bahamas by far the most common machete is a 15 inch bolo type blade made by Tramontina. It’s thicker and heavier than a standard bolo, making it useful for big branches but also as a sort of digging/weeding tool. Also common are the longer thinner blade bolos and Latins. The 14 inch bolo by tramontina is probably my go to blade , sometimes swapping it out for longer ones. As you said the lighter and sharper the blade the faster you can cut and the less tired you will be. I prefer lighter swiping type machetes for most applications.
I recently bought a bolo machete prior to watching this video to help in a project of clearing a half acre of land. I had a latin style before but it took way too much energy and time to clear out the thick jungle we have here. The bolo knife was a MASSIVE improvement in that its much better at slicing thru light ferns and vines. I also found it to be much more efficient at taking down wet wood.
Thank you for teaching me how to better use and utilize my new, favorite knife!
What an awesome comment! Cheers Keanu. The Bolo's are darn good tools and are often overlooked. I think the whole point of this clip was to show that there are other options and that bigger is not always better.
I'm glad you're finding the info on this channel helpful. It is just a collection of the things that have been shown to me over the years that I know works. I'm more than happy to pay it forward.
All the best mate,
Ben
It's good to see some new content!
G'Day Larry! Yep, it has been a while. We had some issues with the audio in this clip and the project got shelved (out of frustration) due to being so busy. We have since upgraded the mic and lens and now have a little more time. I'm currently editing the next video... fingers crossed the quality should improve.
I hope you and the family are well mate!
Kind regards,
Ben
I do not have a lot of machete experience, but what I do have I remember the shorter and lighter machetes were not that useful. When I lived in Central America as a teenager I remember showing our gardener my new little purchase that I thought was cool. He held it, hacked a bit of stuff with it, and informed me that it was no good. A machete, he showed me, requires a certain amount of heft to be effective on a working basis. The tip is also important, as it is used for more than just swinging. That's my limited lesson from a man with a lifetime of daily usage.
Greetings from Denmark. I never saw anybody use a machete here for work.
But I used it 25+ years ago working in a banana plantation in Cuba. I always say it was the best job I ever had.
Now I am starting to use it in my big garden, and learning my son to use it too. We both love the feeling of working the machete (just wish we could grow banana here..).
I like the fact that you're sharing the adventure with your son! I'm with you in being frustrated about things not growing where I am. We can grow bananas but not mangoes or coconuts.
I know some people have had success planting small patches of bananas in the colder regions in Australia. They plant them in front of a sun drenched brick wall. This tends to keep the frost off them during cold nights. I suspect Denmark might be far too cold though.
Thanks for the comments Mikkel.
All the best from OZ,
Ben
Why best job you’ve ever had?
Glad I stumbled across this video this morning. Really helped me make up my mind.
You have 6k subs and 17 videos years apart. Im surprised you stopped creating content. This channel was going to blow up.
you know, for someone who has been using machete all my life, since i was about 6 years, i am over 40 now, i have never seen a machete with a sheath except on TH-cam.
It's funny you mention that as when I first started using them, I did not bother with a sheath either. I'm with you on that point. Of all the trips I have taken to nations that still use machetes regularly, sheaths are not common at all. Although machetes can be very effective tools with a rough edge, I know I started to use a sheath when my sharpening got better.
I'm guessing here but there are probably many reasons why sheaths are more common in developed nations. As machete use has mostly been replaced with machinery here in the west, TH-cam videos on machete use would more than likely be from a developed western nation. Countries south of the border would not really need 'how to' videos on a topic you all would be more than comfortable with. Unless you all feel like sharing your info to the west!
As mentioned before, sharpness is a big reason. Basic sharpening equipment is easily found and affordable in the west. On many trips in the past, locals in developing nations ask for files and sometimes stones to sharpen their equipment. I know I would just stow a roughly sharpened machete behind my trouser belt or under my arm when I was young. I would not be able to do that these days.
I think another really easy to spot difference is the time in hand factor. Westerners won't typically use a machete all day long because of access to machinery. They get used for smaller tasks and get stowed. I know from my perspective, if the machete task would take longer that it takes me to set up, use and pack away the machinery, I will pick the petrol equipment every time. If I'm walking through the bush or around the farm, I would want a tool with me for the smaller jobs. A sharp machete in a sheath is a convenient way of carrying the tool.
But that is just my take on it Anubus.
All the best mate,
Ben
Anubis Ma-At I've chopped hundreds of trees down with a machete, and yes I keep it in a sheeth.
Yeah Same Lol
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Guatemalan and Southern Mexican machete sheaths are an example of fine craftsmanship, though. They are also practical when riding a horse or mule.
Im with you. I hve one lodged in a tree stump for yard use and another in the garage. Cane cutting knife machette. Ive seen many machettes. Only ever seen a sheath on in a shop.
Hello from Panama! Great video. Been using machetes my whole life. I am over 40 years!
Machetes are the work horse of our farmers. They are available in different lenghts and much lighter materials!
And yes, with some skill it will become a real cutting multitool here in the tropics!
Thanks for the contribution Eric! I have seen some youtube clips of the warehouse style machete shops selling every shape, size and flavour of machetes. We don't have anything like that here in Australia. I'm sure it would be a fun shop to visit.
All the best from OZ mate, Ben
I love this! Gets right to the point and gives solid reasons without dancing around the subject. Great video, I will definitely buy a sheath from your website :)
My family worked at the Collins Company for 4 generations. Axes and machetes were the main products, but they made many other cutting and tools as well. They were laying around in sheds and garages all over town
And they certainly left their mark. Collins tools are known around the world for their quality.
Well our bolo in Philippines, some of them have enough weight (same size 14 inches) for better chopping. Little bit thicker and beveled of what you have. And handmade forged bolo are much heavier than some factory made.
You're on point Jan. Hand forged machetes/knives are generally thicker than these stamped machetes. Heavier does chop far better but I must admit, these South American style machetes don't wear me out nearly as fast.
All the best from OZ mate,
Ben
Had to tell you I had a chance to use the Tramontina Bolo I got after watching your channel. I had a blown down tree from a storm that left a lot of branches and damaged a number of large shrubs as it fell. I think the machete did the work of a saw and loppers in a quarter the time with less effort. Best brush clearing tool I have ever used. Huge advantage in having a tool that only requires one hand while manipulating limbs with the other. Normally I would clear off the smaller branches with the loppers and cut the bigger sections with a saw. Then go around and pick everything up. The machete let me move the branch to the pile and break everything down on top of it without having to let go of the branch or tool. Everything done in one spot with one tool. Much easier.
How awesome is that! I'm glad you found the Bolo as useful as I have found it to be. You nailed it with that comment. I call it 'work flow'. I find the Bolo to be just the right length and weight to work it one handed and throwing the limbs in a neat pile to the side. It's a gentle way to work in my opinion.
You just made my day mate!
All the best,
Ben
Yep...that's a good way to describe it....the other tip of yours I found particularly helpful was to work with the grain of the wood instead of across the grain. I had experimented with a machete in the past without understanding that and had given up on using one for the harder woods that grow in my area.
Excellent points. Very well articulated sir.
Thank you kindly!
I picked up an Army surplus bolo, 30 years ago. Made by Lysaght in 1944, bakelite handle with original canvas and brass sheath. It is a beast and was heavily used, clearing, chopping down cocos palms, digging garden beds, pumpkin cutter, weeding and as a camp tool. Chopped a large wild mango tree down with my bolo (and some rope), took a couple of days, I didn't have a chainsaw or axe and did it as a challenge. As a tool the bolo is excellent, a big knife/axe/spade all in one.
That is a nice bit of Aussie history, mate.
I know it's normal to preserve these old tools, but I have always preferred to tunes these up and keep them working.
They are an all purpose tool. It's rarely the best choice, but most of the time a tuned up machete will get the job done.
An interesting video. You effectively explained how both types are good and what their specific strengths are. That being mentioned, I had noticed many people leaning towards shorter machetes due to their lighter weight and compactness. Even some of the thicker blades geared towards campers or survivalists that live or spend time in wooded areas and designed as multipurpose choppers have gained a following. I live in Orlando, Florida so I have both woods and jungle in the state. I find this subject interesting as many of us can buy any type of machete we'd like, but we don't know or understand their design or purpose, so I appreciate this video as much as your excellent machete sharpening tutorial.
Mate you hit on a really good point. I think westerners in general are starting to realize the vast choices when it comes to machetes. I think blokes are starting to wake up to the fact, bigger and heavier is not necessarily better.
My favourate will always be the 14" Tram Bolo but I have been favoring the shorter 12" latins for the reasons you mentioned above. Although I can still chop branches for firewood with the smaller 12, I tend to bring it now on day walks in the forest when I know I won't be lighting a fire.
No pun intended but the truth of it is how you use and maintain the tool that makes all the difference. Little can cut big if it's sharp and your technique is good. Big can do small work if it's sharp and you hold the tool just right.
Jamaicans often comment that the shorter 12"s are the most popular over there for a do it all style tool.
Again, all the best from OZ Frank,
Ben
Great to see you back mate....really insightful video , amazing....wales,uk
Thanks my UK friend's! Yep it was a long time off but I have a little breathing space at the moment so I should get a few more out soon.
The 18" is one of the longest machete people use here in Brazil, i bought a 20" and a 10" but the most used are the 14" and 16" versions, and because of its thin blade it's very easy to cut and modify its profile.
Many people buy the longer versions, cut it and create a shorter machete plus a neck knife from the portions cuted, and you can have 2 diferent beavel in the same blade, like using convex in 2/3 and scandy near the handle.
Thank you for the comment Luciano. It's a darn good one as it's from a country that still sees regular machete use. Shorter machetes being used is something that I'm seeing more of these days. Even if a remote village only has a few petrol tools, the machete start to get smaller over time.
I have setup scandi sections on machetes in the past but I'm not completely sure if it suits our harder timbers down here in Australia. I know Brazil has some of the toughest timbers like us, but bushcraft is also done on dry timbers and I find it's rough on the thinner scandi edge. I now just keep the convex edge sharp and it handles carving in hard material just fine. But as you mentioned before, machetes are very easy to modify and customise to suit each task and user. All of us can tune one to suit.
All the best mate,
Ben
Take a look at this video, this is the most famous bushcraft youtuber from here and sometimes he record videos in english. th-cam.com/video/BAun4gr6yzo/w-d-xo.html
What an awesome clip! We don't have anything on the scale of that shop here in Australia. Thanks for the YT link. I have not come across him yet. It's probably because he listed the language as Portuguese. I thought his friend in the car was Colhane at first.
Youre right, he's Colhane. He was here for sometime in the past and actually he speaks portuguese fluently.
th-cam.com/video/STb7karWPb8/w-d-xo.html
Here Giuliano is explaining the bushcraft knife he created from a 10" machete.
th-cam.com/video/FcBenAO6yhU/w-d-xo.html
You should be in the Vikings TV show.
Hahahaha, hey I think I look the part! beard and belly for the job hey! Cheers mate, Ben
That was that was very educational thank you. I, on the other hand I'm on the other side of the spectrum I have never touched or used a bolo. I grew up using Latin style 26 inch machetes and mochos 14.5 inches (bolo like). The machete is carried at waist high or under the armpit for easy extraction and re-sheathing. The plastic handles and today's machetes are not traditional and more cumbersome to use. The wooden handles are much easier to manage smoother and they had copper winding in the center which kept your hand with more bloodflow and saved you from blistering. My 74-year-old mother and her sisters can still take a coconut and peel it, and open it while holding it in their hand using a machete of 26 inches it's all in how you learn to use the tool that's available to you.
Mate, I still get impressed watching people work with machetes that have been brought up using them on a daily basis. I remember watching a short clip where they were interviewing 2 young childeren on a cocoa farm. From memory, they looked about 5 and 7 and both of them were standing and talking while chopping up the pods in their hands. They did this with a machete and looking at the cameraman.
You're on the money with that armpit style sheath point. I feel the 18" latins are at the limit for a single handed, low slung belt hung sheath. Those longer 26 inch machetes are on another level. If I ever start working on longer machetes, I will need to investigate this style set up. Most westerners would class the 18" as a long machete but for obvious reasons, that is far from the truth.
I must admit, the older women that still use these long machetes impress me the most. They do it with ease and It is a lovely process to watch. Your Mum and Aunty sound pretty awesome in my book! Can you tell them that for me? Just mention that they impressed a hairy old farmer from the East Coast of Australia. I hope they get a laugh out of that.
Thanks for sharing your perspective Hector!
All the best from OZ,
Ben
Machete Bushcraft Australia
Right on bladed brother!
Good to see you back mate
Cheers BJ! Mate life gets in the way of fun sometimes and I have been well busy with work. Thanks for the warm welcome back.
All the best,
Ben
Hey Ben nice to see you back! I like both styles, also got given a Panga, it's a workhorse!
Got myself a Martindale Paratrooper the other day too, good for the day hike pack.
G'Day Scott! Thanks for welcoming me back mate. It was about time I pulled my finger out and did another clip. The Martindale's are very popular here in OZ. They are a well respected brand and that little P- trooper looks the business. I have not had a chance o properly test one as yet. I think I might have to make a few orders soon. Any excuse to test out a new tool hey!
All the best GS,
Ben
I grew up in the bush in the Solomon Islands. I used a machete pretty regularly form the age of 6 on. As far as I'm concerned anyone that knows how to use a machete is good people. The minor differences between bolo vs latin is almost as subjective as someone's preference for blonds over brunettes. I don't judge someone based on their preferences, just their skill, and to your credit your technique is some of the best I've seen on TH-cam. It makes me want to cry when I see so called "knife experts" using a machete poorly and then saying it's only good for clearing light brush... *sigh* Anyways, good content I dropped a sub. Cheers.
What a champion comment Lazix and it's nice to hear from someone who also appreciates the tool.
I have to agree with you on that point. When you're comfortable with using machetes, comparing the similar ones in this clip is like splitting hairs. If you're good, you know how to push a smaller machete to perform and the larger ones, they can be finessed into little crafting tasks as well.
This clip was focusing more on the beginner (in the west) making a first choice. Boys will generally pick a bigger tool than is needed and girls sometimes overlook machetes all together. I think it's the reason I settled on that bolo as I find it sits nicely in the middle. Young or old, male or female, most people can get the swing of this size and weight machete fairly easily.
I get the 'experts' commenting here from time to time with all the same narrow perspectives. I think a big part of that is here in the west, we did not grow up using them as a multi purpose (do almost everything style) tool. We don't get to see Uncle quickly clear a site, craft a seat, build a fire, prep a meal and slice open some fruit for desert, all with the same tool.
Actually, I'm still learning myself. The comment section on this channel has taught me a lot. Many people around the globe have shared how their culture uses them. Although I'm comfortable with using a machete, I will never have anything on the locals who grow up using them daily as a companion tool. Thanks for the vote of confidence though mate! Flattery works on me!
Hey, I like that comment 'Anyone that knows how to use a machete is good people'. I so get where you're coming from! It's such a humbling tool to use while you work. It's a tool that forces you to slow down and be in nature.
All the best from OZ Lazix,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Yea growing up I had a "was-papa" in the village who would take me around up in the bush, these "survivalists" are always talking about a "One tool option" like it's a mythical thing that can't be achieved, but the shit I've seen people do with a Machete would make their heads spin all the way round.
I was looking at your website trying to see if I could order a sheath, and stumbled across what you call ranger bands. Love it. I've been using bicycle inner-tubes since forever to lash, make home made rubberized handles and the like. I have the day off tomorrow so I think I'll go down to the hardware store and pick me up some PVC and make a sheath. I would have liked to just order one, but I don't run the 18" bolo personally, so I'll just make my own.
Interesting video, definitely subbing. I'm a land surveyor in Florida and have been carrying a 28" Martindale for ages, but also carry a 12" Tramontina for the extra tight spots where I'm stuck into the nests of vines and can't swing the big fella. Best of both worlds I guess.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Although it would be nice if one machete could do it all, having options will always be better.
I'm also a big fan of thr 12" latins for the same reason.
All the best from OZ mate,
Ben
Great video! Just found the page. Do you still make videos?
At some stage, mate. Life got really busy and family comes first.
The kids are getting a little older so some time soon, I hope.
All the best from Oz,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Hope you do. Certainly understand that, gotta take care of the family and kiddos.
Great Video, I just picked up a vintage Japanese made Bolo machete for $20 from the local trash n treasure market, 375mm blade, 3mm thick and weighs 2.2KG, the thing is awesome to swing and 1" thick branches have no hope....
G'Day Iron Forge Knives and thanks for the comment. I know those machetes and it was a good score. Does it have a big 'BOLO' stamp down near the tip of the machete? I'm guessing here but I imagined that it was an initiative of the allied forces to help bring an industry back to Japan after WW2. I read somewhere that they came about just before the Korean ceasefire but were more popular during Vietnam but, who really knows? There is a lot of misinformation out there on the topic.
2.2kg sounds like a monster of a machete. Are you sure its not 2.2lb with the sheath? Either way, it's a good tool and a nice bit of history. I'm glad some of these old hand tools are coming back in style.
All the best mate,
Ben
Culturally, I've been exposed to bolos all my life until I got my hands on a kukri. In my opinion, the kukri is the closest thing to a do all companion chopper to bring with you in an unknown outdoor situation. It can do the job of a trade knife, Machete and axe. Granted, not as well as each one in their own unique situation, but good enough.
Their is good reason they have such a dedicated, world wide following. You're on point, they are the do it all tool for the Nepalese. It's a very capable tool.
I can't say I ever enjoyed the feel of them though but that's just my personal preference. The handle angle as well as the bend always put me off. For me, they are less fun to sharpen than a straighter edge....
They do look the part though!
Thanks for the comment Ray.
All the best,
Ben
Never used a bolo (yet, but it's coming) but I've used 18" Latin machetes and my 13" Cold Steel Kukri machete for years. Over the years I've found that my kukri machete will perform at the same level as my 18" tramontino latin machete. They're about the same weight and I can swing both all day. I pick which one to use solely based on the amount of room I have to work in. Confined=kukri, wide open=latin. I also own a 11" kukri from GK&CO that gets used in all sorts of ways from as a hatchet/light axe to a kitchen knife, depending on my needs.
Hope this helps!
Bolos move the sweet spot for chopping/cutting much closer to the end of the blade, due to the balance if having that heavier spine out at the end. I also find they're good vs. vibration in the handle. This allows them to chop like a longer, heavier tool than they are. The main benefit I think, is that the sweet spot being near the end of the blade helps in tight quarters, where to get the sweet spot of a latin on the target, you end up dragging the tip through weeds/twigs. With a bolo, you're more able to make a wide fast swing without needing quite so much room to swing. Largely I think a 'panga' has some of the same advantages as the bolo (in terms of balance/sweet spot). Whether that pointy top is useful or in the way (in a panga vs. a bolo), seems like a personal preference issue.
The best chopper is probably a parang. But they're very heavy, because they're very thick. A long latin is good for clearing reeds/grass in big swaths. A bolo (or panga) is a lot of chopping power in a minimalist length & weight. Interestingly, if you put your thumb over your view of the spine, a bolo or panga looks just like a stout latin machete.
Kukri seems to be halfway between a parang, and a knife. Reasonably decent at chopping, reasonably decent as a knife. Terrible for clearing large amounts of soft plants though. But it is quite compact in dimensions.
Really to "do it all" and "do it well" you'll need multiple tools though. A very small pocket folder with serrations is great for cutting rope, etc. A scandi ground fixed knife is amazing for wood details. Add a modest sized kukri, bolo, or parang for delimbing, light chopping, and modest clearing. A long latin is very good for major clearing. A very big parang or a dadao (basically a 2hand sword based on a parang) or a 3/4 axe for really serious heavy chopping.
I've been trying to find tools which would hybridize some of that, & reduce the sheer number of items though hehe. A little serrated folder and a Mora fixed knife are very light & compact though, so it's the other roles which would be nice to blend where possible. I've put a lot of thought into a "does everything machete". But there's going to be compromises no matter what.
Nice video and some really good points on the bolo. Here in Kansas, I use several styles. Bolos are very handy, especially clearning a casting path when bank fishing. Like you, I don't find the need to baton anthing & I've been in the outdoors most of my 70 yrs. But then, I usually carry a camp hatchet or tomahawk on my pack for that. Thanks for the info.
G'day from OZ Bill and thanks for the comments.
I'm actually starting to think the title of my clip is a little 'click bait ish'. I actually use many different styles of machetes. Granted, the bolo is my go to but if I'm doing something very specific, I will pick the right machete for the task.
We currently have a nasty bushfire season on the east coast of Australia. It's actually quite unusual around where I am as we are surrounded by subtropical rainforests (damp all year round) that never really burn. Given the extended dry, that changed this summer. Everyone is scrambling to prepare and I'm clearing Lantana like a mad man. Long story short, The fastest method I have come across to untangling Lantana on a fence line is a 12" latin and a little chainsaw.
I would rather be clearing a small patch on a bank to do some fishing mate! Maybe after the rains come.
It's always nice to hear from woodsmen from around the world. Thanks for sharing mate.
All the best from Smoky Bellingen,
Ben
Great to hear from you folks again...another interesting discussion...atb...woods
Cheers MT Woodsrunner! I'm glad to be back after such a long break. I'm glad it was an interesting topic.
Even before it was mentioned explicitly in the video, I noticed the fine mirror polished edge on these machetes. It's a shame that so many tools you'd pick up off the shelf or order online come with a poor grind, as a lot of people don't have the means or patience to put a preferable edge on them. But when you have sufficient sharpening equipment, suddenly you can make generic hardware store tools perform like a champ.
A few months ago, I was gifted a neglected Legitmus Collins & Co. 1250 bolo from 1940. It was almost butterknife dull & the sheath smelled mildewy from decades of improper storage. Took about 45 minutes on a belt grinder to touch things up to an acceptable level (almost but not quite as nice as the edges in this video!). Several days of hanging the sheath out in the sun and breeze took care of the sheath's odour as well. I don't have any clearing or chopping tasks for it currently, but I'd love to take this old beauty out for a spin when the opportunity arises. Except maybe clearing close to the ground... I don't wanna risk dinging up the top edge, & besides, I have a brush axe for that sorta thing.
DUDE, you're awesome. Been a knifemaker 9 years, was full time 4 years. Just recently got into the bolo/machette thing, but specialized in large bowies for years. The moment you started talking I said "This guy know's what he's doing". I chose the bolo design also for a redo/upgrade.
Kudos to you, learned a lot in this video and agree with all of your points. Thanks for posting, very informative. ~Bob Armstrong Combat Knives~
Also, lay off the weights, you're as big as a Rhino, lol. ^ 5
What a champion comment Bob! Thanks for the input and complement.
I never went into business mode with knives but I did start out making them a long while back. I love the art of it but It's a hard market to break into (kudos to you mate!). It was about the time when I really started appreciating a proper agricultural style machetes. As a bush tool, they really tick all the boxes for me.
It's nice to hear from another Bolo fan! Hey I'm thinking about tinkering with the Martindale Golok in the near future. That is another that ticks a lot of boxes. I prefer thin and about 14" but the thicker golok would make for a darn good chopper.
All the best from OZ Armstrong,
Ben
What an awesomely well made and informative video. Thanks very much dude!
Mate I'm glad you found the information useful!
All the best,
Ben
Woohoo, you're back. Great to see another vid Mate - keep it up. Bolo all the way. My NAMCo bolo and sheath are still powering along.
Cheers mate and it's nice to see you around these parts again. I'm glad you're getting good use from that kit. I might etch that 'Bolo all the way!' into some steel for a plaque in the workshop.
I just sent out a new sheath mod that would really suit your pack set up. It was one of those 'why did not think of this before' moments as It was so simple. A lad wanted to strap the sheath to a molle panel on his pack (no compression straps available in the area) with cable ties. I just fixed a plate with two small channels at the bottom of the sheath along with the Multifit Mounting plate at the top. Darn simple, I should have done this earlier.
All the best Drew,
Ben
I personally prefer a parang. But I do have a bolo that I cold ground the back down like a clip point so I have a centerline tip that makes it more useful for me in crafting. I still carry and use that one quite often. Also you were absolutely right. A dull blade is a dangerous blade.
And to be fair, a traditional parang is quite a handsome looking tool as well. I do get quite a lot of bushcraft fans commenting on their parang preferences. They do have a lot of supporters.
All the best Hawk,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Thank you. And the same to you.
Many good points. Lots to think about. Great video.
Great video and wonderful information
Thanks for your support mate!
There are Latin machetes with 12 or 14 inches of blade length. It would be interesting to compare Bolo vs Latin styled machetes with the same length to see how the design differences affect the use and results.
I mean, how many of your points are attributable to size rather than style?
Thera are like 5tiped of machetes little , long, an hardcore
Great review mate. No bs, just informative. Keep p the good work.
Cheers Benny! Mate, that Is what I'm aiming for. Thanks for the complement and comment.
All the best,
Ben
I use machetes a lot where I live...basically in the bush. I've got a Condor village parang, and a Cold Steel kukuri, and a latin machete which is pretty long...and tiring to use. Was thinking about turning it into a couple bushcraft knives....
The parang has been useful for processing fire wood for several years. The kukuri also, but have been looking at bolos lately. This video helped me make up my mind....my next one will definitely be a bolo.....Cheers!
G'day mate, I'm glad you found the info helpful. I did the tool shuffle for a while before I settled on a bolo. You will always find another tool that will excel in one task more so than another, but the bolo sits nicely in the middle for me. I can push it for the hard work and it's manageable for the light crafting. I hope you enjoy using it.
All the best,
Ben
I've been watching some machete videos today and just found yours here. I haven't tried a bolo machete yet, thought I want to. I can say that one thing I like about Latin machetes is that I can cut a thin branch or brush and then use the spine at the tip of the blade to catch or grab whatever I just cut and toss it out of my way. It's actually kind of fun. LOL
Two big thumbs up for that point mate! Its one of the reasons I really like using cane knives in the veggie patch. The hook on the back is extremely useful. You can still do the same technique you described with the shorter bolo but it is easier with the longer latins.
One of the regular contributors here sent a link to another channel. He put a shallow cutaway in the tip of the spine of his latin that looked very effective. I think his name was 'Hale'? I will go find it but I was planning on testing that on a future YT clip and promoting his clip at the same time. I really liked what he had to say. Everything was on point in my opinion.
Here is the link Greg Scott sent me to watch. I'm sure others have done this but I'm calling this modification the 'Hale Hook'. Darn good idea and his clip is worth watching.
th-cam.com/video/G42Cm0auilw/w-d-xo.html
Definitely some good tips in that video. The hook is is a modification I've never seen before. Neat idea. Thanks for the link.
here in the Philippines we do have style of Bolo with a hook at the end just for the purpose you mentioned above
Very well thought out and informative. Thanks
Thank you very much for your amazing review! So helpful , Your fan from Bahrain 🇧🇭
I own both a Bolo and a Full Tang machete, I use either one depending on what I need at the time. Glad to hear that the Bolo style is getting some love and attention.
Great vid, I learned something today!
Cheers.
It's always nice to stumble across another Bolo fan! Thanks for the comment mate,
All the best,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Thanks for the positive feedback, my friend!
I bought my Bolo at an Army surplus store a good number of years ago. Love the style. I did have to replace the handle at least once - no big deal.
Anyways, thanks for a great vid. Cheers!
Great video, thank you! Which company or brand makes the best Bolo machete, in your opinion?
That's a good question. It depends on how you plan to use it.
I use mine mostly as tools and I don't mind tuning them up (sharpen, shape the handle and make a sheath) so I prefer the thinner steel brands that come unfinished from the factory. Tramontina ticks all the boxes for me. They are diamonds in the rough and are priced accordingly.
If you want something a little more finished, Marbels and Martindale make great bolos.
As far as having a thin steel option, cold steel have some decent gear as well.
If you like thicker steel options, Condor Tools have some bolos and parangs. These come work ready in a sheath. They make very nice tools.
I hope some of the above was helpful mate.
All the best from OZ.
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Wow, thanks for all your options. Much appreciated. I was looking for a shorter machete with some chopping power for use in woods and around the home too...the Bolo sounds like a strong choice.
All the best from USA.
Here in the Philippines most people use bolos. There are different shapes, lengths and weights depending on where you purchased them (traditional blacksmiths here use car leaf springs, so it's quite hefty). I have tried machete before too, but I am not that tall (as most Filipinos are) and the extra length is helpful but not so fun holstering it around the thick bushes getting snagged everywhere. You can carry it unsheathed but personally I don't. We call our bolos 'binangon' (visayan region). And the blade is reversed, meaning the sharp edge is positioned on the straight length.
Great great glad you're back always interested in what you got to say
Thank you Alfonso! I really appreciate comments like this as It lets me know I'm on the right track.
All the best mate,
Ben
here in brazil, the Tramontina 18" is the king.
i use mine for years wih minimal maintance.
sorry but i will copy your sheath design, that looks awesome lol! tks!
G'Day Sujo from Brazil! I have had a lot of Brazilians say the same over the years. It's a darn good size and weight. No need to apologize for copying the design though. Make it yourself PVC sheaths have been around for a long time and for good reasons. There is a youtuber called ANACONDA that makes a lot of big sheaths from PVC and I can find a link to his channel if you need it.
Thanks for the complement mate.
All the best from OZ,
Ben
Machete Bushcraft Australia tks so much for the answer. I made sheath for my axe. Now im going to make one for my tramontina and for a edc knife. Im a bog fan of your work and i dont think you talk too much lol. See ya!! :)
What a champion response mate! Honestly, It does not bother me in the slightest when people comment that I talk too much. Actually, I find it funny that they took the time to say it and I generally enjoy the interactions with them. As a rule, I do my best to make people smile, and that goes double for the grumpy ones. It is nice to hear that some viewers like a chat though!
Thanks again for the complement mate.
All the best from OZ,
Ben
The New Farm Hand deal says it’s on sale on your website but loads up to full price when in my shopping cart?
Hey great video. Now question here : Does it have a thicker blade the Tramonina BOLO model than the regular Tramontina Latin blade ? Thanks.
Sorry for the late reply. It's been busy here mate.
No, the bolo's have the same base metal thickness as their regular line (about 2mm). The heavier latins (18") are only just slightly thicker at 2.3mm
Thank you so very much "blade bro..." And gooDayMate... Martin from Argentina by the way... Cheers...
In Oahu , Hawaii were I am from We Use the Bolo knife or the Sugarcane Knife Or my Favorite one the Latin Machete in Dense Areas .
They are the same three I use as well mate. Out of all the machetes to rise to the top in the west, it's the latin, bolo and cane knife.
Actually, on that note, the cane knife is my favorite for opening young coconuts. It's thin enough to slice off the green husk and the spine is just right for cracking open a little drinking window.
Thanks for the tip I now know that machetes use sheaths thanks I have had really bad cuts when carrying it thanks again
Happy to share the info Imran. I know a lot have seen footage of people that just stick a machete through belt or wrap it in cloth to carry the tool. I don't believe they are very sharp to be honest. You could probably get away with doing that with a slightly dull machete, but if it's proper sharp, it wisest to carry them in a sheath.
Thanks but where can I get sheaths for machetes or I can just make one
Make them mate! It's a fun DIY project.
Pretty informative. I really like the length of a Latin. 18" is about perfect for my uses.
Why haven't you posted in a while?
Great to see another video from you Ben. I've got one of the 18" latins and have worked on it a little to improve it. I'm very jealous of the mirror polish you get on your cutting edges. I tried to replicate that when I did mine but couldn't get the same results by hand with the time I had available. Are yours done solely by hand or do you use a machine for some of the process as well?
G'Day James! First up, thanks for the complement. The 18's are a darn nice tool to use. Organising that sheath for James & Anna pushed me into using them again and I'm glad they did.
You can get your edges that bright by hand only but it takes a fair bit of work. The trick is to go through lots of different abrasive grit sizes. The cheap way to getting a lot of different abrasives is to glue wet & dry sandpaper to strips of timber (think paint stirrer size) and use them in a stropping motion only. You will be surprised at how bright you can get it using this method. You can google the 'scary sharp' method if you want some good video footage on this. Then you can hand strop with an abrasive compound like green chrome.
The other way is to just focus on the micro bevel when you're polishing. To be honest, this is the more appropriate way to go for a tool that is going to get used. This is very achievable by hand in the workshop or out on a camping trip. I find If you spend too much time sharpening, you won't want to use the tool as intended.
To answer your question about how I sharpen and polish these edges, to be honest, I would go out of business if I still did these by hand only!. I use a 2x72" belt grinder with about 8 abrasive belts and two polishing belts. Even with a machine, each machete takes around 20 to 25min to go from blunt factory up to carving sharp and polished.... The polish takes the lions share of the time.
Thanks for the comment and question. I hope it was helpful James and I'm happy to answer any more. I will always share info a fellow camper!
All the best Mate,
Ben
I also would love to know how you do the handles, if you could maybe do a video on how you do them would be awesome!
It's probably about time a did some handle mod videos G1. You're not the only one to ask.
Thanks for the comments and all the best from OZ mate,
Ben
Excellent video. I really enjoyed your info.
Cheer Bob, thanks for the complement! I have mentioned this many times before but I'm happy to pay forward the info that was shared with me.
All the best,
Ben
What are your thoughts on cold steel machetes? I have had mixed results but they have many cool designs
Much the same as you Lee but you won't often hear me bad mouth any other businesses product... unless it's an absolute banana. On the whole, I have found cold steel to be good value for the money. They were one of the first to mass produce decent cutlery at easy to justify prices. Because they made decent tools at fair prices, that same gear has been pounded all around the world by happy campers for many years now. I have quite a few of their knives and have sharpened many of them for customers over the years. If I had come across some glaring problems, I would mention it but I rate them as decent gear. Most users would be happy to work with the tools.
My personal preference now is quite far from a tactical looking tool, but I'm just showing my age on that one. I prefer timber handles and unpainted simple carbon steel. I guess that is why I settled on proper agricultural machetes. I like real leather sheaths for knives and hard plastic sheaths for machetes.
Oh, they do have a lot of good designers on the CS team! Out of all the big makers, Cold Steel (and KaBar) are one of the few that constantly innovate.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts mate!
All the best Lee,
Ben
Good to see you back Ben. I was starting to worry. Some excellent points made there. A poor sheath combo can drive you nuts.
It is worth noting that most AUS Army issue machetes tend to be of a bolo design. Never saw a Latin style (That doesn't mean they don't exist), and only a small handful of golok style.
I use a cheap golok style alongside an axe and saws, but I am in Tassie. Were I further North I reckon I'd copy the locals. Maybe drop the axe and saw.
Batonning wood to split it for firewood is a good way for little kids to split wood. As much as I love watching my 6yo son have at it with his hatchet, it is a lot safer having him and his little sister bash the golok through a piece of wood for splitting.
I do need to figure out a better sheath for the golok.
G'Day Heath, I was starting to worry myself and thank you for the comments! 'Mise en place' for your tools while out in the bush has always been important for me. I really dislike buried equipment! A good sheath helps a lot with the workflow.I think that is a hang up from being a carpenter.
You're on point with Bolo's being popular here in OZ and to be honest, I forgot that while filming this clip. Most of the people who watch these clips are from the US or Canada and I sometimes focus on topics from their perspective.
Two thumbs up for starting out your young ones early! It is so easy to forget how capable they are in this cotton wool world. I'm doing the same with my little workshop assistant. At the moment, we are focusing on safety equipment. Ear muffs and glasses are a must but the work gloves thing, he is stumbling on at the moment. I agree that a golok would be safer than a hatchet.
Is it a martindale golok? I have been getting a lot of requests to start using them in these clips. I think I will look back into them again.
All the best Mate,
Ben
Cheers mate,
Nothing fancy like a name brand golok I am afraid. My younger brother bought it well over 20 years ago. I found it in my shed, with 'Made in China' and a diamond stamp on it. So I started taking it out to the farm. A thick, heavy sharpened chopper but it works. I would hate to clear a decent area with it or do the bulk of traditional machete tasks with it. But to do hatchet type tasks with often dead hardwood, process firewood etc it does well, and with a bit more versatility.
It doesn't often get worn on a belt. The poor sheath doesn't help. It gets nested on a very Gucci surplus axe carrier alongside a smallish axe and a 21" bowsaw blade. All held for now with rubber bands and my wifes hair bands. A good setup really, for when I want to clear a bit or cut some wood.
You have sold me on a solid sheath, and once that is done something less ramshackle a coupling arrangement is in order for this lot.
My brother spotted me with his old golok so two years ago I compensated for it by purchasing him a Woodmans Pal. He cuts a lot of firewood and this has been useful to him for clearing a work area, limbing trees and even hacking up some of the smaller limbwood. He's a real chainsaw man, but the tool also helps in clearing access to wood and to his beehives. Great on blackberry, which is important here. Now I am jealous of the Woodmans Pal.
Safety gloves for kids? I thought I was doing well with glasses, but my boy is often more safety conscious than me. Last year we were sewing, on a machine. The needle broke and a piece shot out and hit my tongue. Weird, but it hurt. He wouldn't let me continue until he got his glasses. Where do you find safety suitable gloves or kids?
I understand the gap between videos. It is hard to understand until you do it, as in last November after enough people suggesting it, and wanting to give something back, I kicked off a TH-cam channel of my own. Nothing as polished and focused as your productions.
A 14 minute video, all planned out etc, took over 4 hours to edit. I've still got footage from a year ago to cut and shut. So I get it.
Maybe one day I will dig out the machete type tool I got off a local in Southern Malaysia. Cheap, strong enough to cut what I needed to cut in the jungle. Come to think of it, I haven't tried it out on stuff down here, probably great for clearing pinrushes, tussocks, dock, sedges etc.
BTW, though my golok might be a cheapy, and you've convinced me solid sheaths are the go, I really like the longer handle idea. I've got some big stumps of English Oak outside, many years dry. Down the track I might give it a go.
Cheers,
Mort
Mate thank you for the awesome response!
Funny you should mention that as I now remember finding one of my Fathers machetes in a box last year somewhere on the farm. It was a Diamond brand (must be 35yrs old now) and felt as heavy as a truck leaf spring! It was a Latin shape from memory but I will go dig it up.
The woodsman's pal is a very old, tried and tested bit of kit. The original sheaths were sheet metal with a little fold at the tip to hold the machete with one whole side exposed. It was a clever solution as the shape is very clumsy to sheath.
I keep pinching gear from around the house for my workshop as well. Bamboo chopsticks, skewers, cotton makeup pads and pegs are the latest! Actually toilet paper is a new favorite. It's the cheapest and smallest shop towel you can get. It's perfect for glue runs, moving oil and paint drips etc.
I'm extra safety conscious with my son as I don't want to disappoint the Mrs! No kid makes it through without loosing a bit of bark but I don't want him getting hurt either. Actually the Mrs is very understanding. I started off talking with her years ago that when the kids come along, It is important that we structure their growth physically and mentally! All that meant was that the kids will be carefully exposed to normal life on a farm in a safe and controlled manner. Hey, country kids have to have some advantages with growing up so far away from the city.
Safety equipment for kids is hidden in Bunnings. It took us a while to find some decent gear. The proper glasses are in the power tools department with the adult glasses. I think the ear muffs ( Protector Junior EH4J class 4 23db) are there as well but they may be in the garden tools section with the kids gloves.
He is good with the ear muffs and glasses but putting the gloves on are a challenge. I have not picked up a respirator or a dust mask for him yet so I have been keeping him away from dust and nasties in the workshop. I can test somewhat that it is fitted correctly but he may move the dust mask around while we are working so I don't see that it is worth the risk just yet.
Actually on that note, I had to teach him to check that the ear muffs are on properly (he has long hair and was just past 3 at that stage). It took a while but I figured out that if you put some music on and cover their ears with your hands, I could show what 'muffled' sounds like. He now knows to move the cups around until everything sounds a little muffled and quiet.
Thumbs up for taking the plunge into making YT clips! I felt the same way. After years of learning from the internet, I felt I should contribute something back. You're on point with that, it takes a whole lot of time and effort to make something decent for YT. I learned that the hard way as well.
Post up a link here but put it in a new comment as It will be lost at the end of this thread. It will come through as spam but I will OK it when I find it.
All the best Mort!
Kind regards,
Ben
Cheers. Gotta wonder what a sheet metal sheath for a Woodmans Pal would be like. I imagine it being noisy. The sheath that came with my brothers one isn't very good. I can sew cordura nylon and was going to make a multipurpose sheath for it but I keep seeing kydex type sheaths and they do look the go. I've never tried it.
I've been lucky I suppose with the young fellow and earmuffs. He always hated loud noises. Then he insisted on coming to the range. Sorted that one out himself.
It is odd doing the youtube videos. We all discover our voices sound weird. I'm still getting used to that. Then, a lot of info I convey I consider obvious and feel like I am insulting peoples intelligence. I have to force myself to remember that most people weren't as lucky as I was, having the childhood I got to have, so it isn't all that obvious or natural to them. It was experiencing this in face to face life, and in forum discussions that was part of why people suggested I try my hand at videos or a book.
The young fulla has watched me make enough now that he wants to make his own, which is pretty funny. Not sure whether to upload them or not, and if so, do we make a channel or just a playlist for him on my channel for now. These days you got to be careful and my mrs isn't sure about the whole thing, even him being in my videos. Don't blame her. She suggested at least a name change for the channel.
Just to be sure, are suggesting I post a link to one of my videos, or to my channel in the comments to this video of yours?
I'd feel pretty jack.
Cheers mate,
Mort
Mate I struggle with that as well. By default, I really dislike telling people how to do something. The only way I can get around that is to just share what I know or how I like to so something. I fully admit, everything I have learnt, someone else took the time to share the info with me at some stage.
Everyone is after something different. Personally I like information heavy YT clips and I will happily wait for one or two points that I might find useful. Some people want to be entertained, others want to see people jumping around doing silly things. What I have learnt is to just present the information in the way you feel most comfortable.
As far as young ones on YT, I'm in the same boat as you. I had a chat with the Mrs about it years ago as I did not want to many photos of my son up on facebook.
My only take on that now is I ask myself 'will this benefit my son or potentially cause harm?' . The answer comes fairly quick after that.
Have you had a look at ABS plastic? It is far cheaper and easier to get here in OZ. Sure, kydex is stronger, but not by that much and it won't make any difference to a sheath.
Hey that machete of my fathers was a very old golok after all! I'm going sharpen it up and if it holds an edge after some chopping, I will bling it out a little.
Mate, absolutely post up a link to your channel on this comment section. MBA is by no means a big channel but I'm happy to help when ever I can. If you put it in a new comment, It won't get lost at the bottom of this thread.
All the best mate!
Ben
I believe that the length of your limbs vs moment of inertia of the weapon is a pretty huge thing in chopping.
Depending on what torque you can generate with your own body, you may find your best performance with a longer or shorter or lighter or heavier tool.
That is a darn good point and to be honest, I never tried to unpick the dynamics of it. I'm not going to pretend that I fully understand the physics of it all but the simple side of it rings true. Trying lots of different styles and sizes of machetes while doing the tasks you want to perform generally is the test for most people.
I'm lucky here on the farm as we would get a lot of voulinteers come in and clear weeds along the riverbanks with machetes. Of all the styles and choices of machetes they could pick, most settled on these light Bolo's for the task. Age, sex and size made little difference. Some of the bigger lads showed a preference for a longer Latin at first but after days of chopping, the lighter and shorter Bolo's start looking very enticing!
For me, it is not just the chopping that is important. I use machetes for a lot of different tasks. If I can get away with fewer tools easily enough, I will pick that option. If it were just chopping, I think I would still be bringing a hatchet.
Thanks for the input Adam! Much appreciated.
All the best,
Ben
I'm clearing 2 completely bushed out, overgrown acres of deciduous oak forest with a machete and a folding saw. For exercise and because I don't want to pay someone else to do it. Best meditation time ever man. 10/10, would recommend to a friend.
Trent, I'm definitely in your camp on that point. It's such a quiet way to work. You really get to know your land when working like this. Weed identification is important and you're more likely to see them when you're on the ground vs a tractor. Sometimes you get little surprises when you come across the wild life living there. You have a much better chance of protecting them when working with a machete. The snakes will hear you coming a mile away and they have the time to move out of your way.
I'm glad you're enjoying the process Trent. Thanks for the comment mate.
All the best,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia Thanks man! Yeah it becomes a creative enterprise, you're shaping a landscape by hand. Awesome sheath by the way, PVC is underrated in the pantheon of great inventions!
You got me wanting a bolo like yours now
I see a bolo shaped project in your near future mate! Everyone is in lock down, may as well start a fun project.
Have you had a chance to try out the Tramotina 12 inch Latin style machete? I'm curious if you think a bolo style machete would still win in all the categories you mentioned. Trying to narrow down between the two. Thanks!
That is a really good question Desmond and yes, I have been testing the shorter 12" latins lately.
One comment that has come up a few times is that if you're comfortable with using machetes, you can get them all to sing. 12" latins are very popular in Jamaica and I have been told they are used as the general purpose, every day machete. I really agree to be honest, but personally, I will still stick with a thin bolo. I do really like the 12" Latins though.
Some of the areas where the shorter 12" latins excel over a Tram Bolo would include: It's lighter (if you're carrying a lot of gear), more nimble due to the length (good for untangling a mess) and the pointy tip has more crafting options.
Where it lacks is in chopping power (Dry Aussie hardwood is tough) and it's short so clearing below the knee is not it's strong suit. You can still process firewood and clear with the 12", it's just a little slower.
Now how does that help someone trying to make a choice? Probably not a whole lot. Although I often use a machete for craft style work, I generally have a small crafting knife with me anyway and tend to use that for the pointy style work. One real advantage to a machete/knife combo is that I save most of the hard work and crafting for a machete that is very easy to sharpen. I save the knife for the detailed work if it ever comes up.
I hope that was helpful mate.
All the best,
Ben
Awesome channel man. 👍🏻
Thank you kindly for the complement my friend! I would not go so far as to say it was awesome but I do my best to make every clip better than the last! It is nice to be appreciated though.
Cheers mate,
Ben
Thanks again for a great video. My 30cm (12in) blade golok is a baby compared to the latin, but it makes up for it in heft, and I use it for more than brush cutting so a longer blade would be too cumbersome for my needs. I'd use the Bolo over the Latin as well I think. I've had a Bolo in a past life and it worked well for me.
I was a little surprised at how well that Latin chopped! Length, weight and the thicker steel all added up to extremely deep cuts in that seasoned timber. I would still pick a Bolo before anything else but darn it, The choice is not as easy anymore!
There is something very stylish and classic about the Martindale golok's. Their are a few machetes and bush knives that I regretted giving away and one of them was the M golok.
What’s the best way to sharpen a machete???
If it's really bad and you're feeling confident, a small angle grinder is called the 'universal farm sharpener'. Files are generally what most people use though.
I'm probably going to have to go through your links, but I'm wondering where I can purchase the two machetes in the thumbnail of this video.
I've been watching your channel for years and I've been thoroughly impressed by your kit and I'm looking for a taste myself.
Love a good bolo, always had mine back when we used to hunt wild boar in the Philippines. Well it was actually called "Barong" a type of bolo.
tawag namin sa ilocano buneng.
Ben, what are your thoughs on sawback machetes? gimmicky?
G'day Hadrian! That is a good question mate. I think some people may find it really useful to have a sawback machete but you're right, I find it a bit of a gimmick. Machetes get used quite hard at times and every valley of each tooth is a potential stress riser crack waiting to happen.
The ones I have seen don't have much set on the teeth so once you're past the teeth in depth, the friction begins to build. You can get around this by cutting till the saw binds, then chip out one side with the machete to create clearance.
I don't know many people who hand sharpen saws anymore and I doubt they would want to do it in the bush.
There are other better uses to the spine of the machete and quality saws from thin steel are not that expensive.
One of the Aussie viewers here uses reciprocating saw blades and their utility handles out in the bush. Bosch has a lot to offer in that department. Fiskars and Bahco also make great quality saws. Silky is right up there. Super thin pull saws for the bush.
I think saws make a great addition to a kit but I'm not a fan of them on the back of a knife or machete. ... Just my 2c worth though.
How about you Hadrian. Have you found them useful?
Machete Bushcraft Australia yea got a ontario saw bsck. The machetr is self is heavy chopper. The saw back is like dafaq. Dont know why i got it. Went up to buderim waterfalls in the heavy bush. Tried sawing somethings but it was more of the same things i could just use the machete to cut with. But yea i got a bahco
Mate, they look good idea to a lot of people so don't be hard on yourself. I remember thinking the same years ago when gerber brought them out.
I just googled it. Is yours about 2mm thick? If you get really frustrated with it, I would grind or cut the teeth back. It looks like there is enough width to the blade pull it off. Are you in QLD? I can do it for you if your happy to pay the shipping.
Machete Bushcraft Australia i live on the sunny coast lol just down the road from you. But all good mate ill give this one to a zombie apocalypse mate hahaha
I had bought back in the 80’s a Chinese copy of a French Machete, is was short, made out of a mile steel and had a weighted head. I had a chance to use it when a small oak tree fell across the road. I was surprise of just how fast it would cut through the small oak. Because it not the best steel in the world, its need to be sharpen often. The trick would to make out of a better quality steel and it would make a great camping tool. Everything from digging a small pit to chopping wood.
G'Day Me! It's nice when you stumble across a forgotten tool that solves a problem. I must admit, I do like the shorter machetes that are tip heavy. It might be a throwback from using axes so much when I was younger.
If I could offer a suggestion, do a little research on the pattern style to see if their is anything similar. It might be an original wildcat with a few benefits that we all have not tested. You can always shoot off an email to Joe Flowers (owner of Condor Tools) if you think it has merit. Actually, post up a link here if you find any pictures of it online. I'm curious to see it to be honest.
All the best Me,
Ben
Great conparisson! And as I never ever owned machete, now I know, which one I need :) Like right NOW! :)
Mate, thanks for the complement. Machetes still are my go to tool for our little property as well as when I go bush.
All the best Martin,
Ben
absolutely the tramontina bolo is on ebay for$16.17 usd free shipping
Say Heah, Again, Ben. Oh, today, I teamed my 3V Skookum Bush Tool with my Ka-Bar Johnson Adventure Parangatang. A lovely piece of kit. I also brought my Wooden Handle Fiskar Power Teeth Folding Saw and my Gerber Multi Tool. Yeah, the area I went to still has alot of Brambles.,,. p
I have only recently got back into carrying a saw with me. Darn handy tool to have. Their was another TH-camr who had a clip showing the use of reciprocating saw blades and their handles out in the bush. He is so on point with it to be honest. I stopped using them as I did not want to rely on something I could not maintain out in wilderness (Now that I'm a bit older, I think that thought is flawed) but you can easily carry replacement blades and swap them out depending on what you're cutting. I will post up a link to his clip tomorrow when I'm back in the workshop.
All the best Paulie!
Ben.
Heath Morton is his name and here is a link to his clip. Tell him I said hello!
th-cam.com/video/zIkI-6UKOUA/w-d-xo.html
In my country Trinidad 🇹🇹 they sell panga machetes but we usually cut them to look like a bolo after purchase.We do this so it can fit easier in a case but I can assure u,there is not a single household without one.We use them for self defense and as a gardening tool alike
Nice video. Would you use a machete or bolo for opening coconuts? Which is better?
That's a really interesting question mate! I can't say I have ever had anyone ask before.
To be honest, either would do just fine. If properly sharp, both will easily slice young coconut husks off. The spine on both is just as effective at cracking the shell open to get to the milk and meat.
If I had to pick between them, I would still pick that bolo. It's sweet spot is closer to the tip and it's shorter. Those two points combined make them a little safer to use when holding what you're cutting. I find it safer to crack open a little window at the top to drink from when using the spine on the bolo.
...to be honest, I went into that answer a little too much. If sharp, both work just fine.
On a side note, if you're not planning on using the shell for a project, you can just slam the young coconut (fresh picked, green husk and all) against the tree with the seam facing the trunk. This cracks it open enough to spill the milk. It's messy to drink but it's a quick way to get at it.
great video, little late, but how would you rate parang vs bolo?
What is the diference between a Machete & a Panga?
Actually a Panga is just one of the many different styles of machete.
The panga with its swollen head shape will perform very similarly to the bolo as far as chopping and crafting. It has two good features that the bolo does not.
That flat section at the tip is a really good long stalk harvesting tool and is used while standing. You don't need to bend over to cut close to the ground level. You can bend the stalk with one hand and push that flat section into the stalk.
The more pronounced tip can have its crafting uses.
That was a good question Thornton.
I love my Bolo , it's a absolute work horse .
Mate, It's safe to say I'm in your camp on that point!
Could you leave a link for those to machetes
No problem mate!
Here is an Amazon link to the Tramontina Bolo: www.amazon.com/Tramontina-TT4014-Bolo-Machete-Sword/dp/B00JNRF196
And here is a link to the Tramontina 18" Latin: www.amazon.com/Tramontina-Machete-Hardwood-Handle-Sheath/dp/B00LUZU6YO
Very happy to find your channel! I think that machetes tend to be considered less "noble" than axes or hatchets. It certainly is a misunderstanding from many folks and a dumb prejudice from some people. Axes have had much more fim and tv participation at the hand of heores than machetes have. Correct me if I am wrong, but axes are more traditional in the northern hemisphere for bush/woodland activities, and probably more suited for the type of forest you find there. Now, machetes, in the southern hemisphere have been the king, no matter if not as aristocratic! Again, the type of forest is more suitable for everyday use of a machete over an ax in the tropics.
A question: what would be different if you compared a similar size latin machete with a bolo? Thx
G'Day onipise and thank you for the complement! I agree with you an all the points. Bushcraft knives and hatchets are firmly centre stage in the west. I still really like using them but my first choice will always be a machete. They are very versatile tools and good quality ones are still cheaply had.
There is however, a big stigma attached to machetes here in the west. If you're not a farmer or involved with the bush, most people wrongly view them as just weapons. It is lazy thinking but unfortunately that is the norm these days.
As you said, some situations you're going to need an axe. But I have never had an issue processing firewood with a machete. As far as shelter or tool building goes, I have never been lacking of a solution with a machete either. Each to their own though. I really like the fact that we have so many options to choose from!
So if we had a shorter latin to match the bolo with the same steel thickness, which would chop/perform better? I feel that is an easy answer even though I have not tested it but It would be a bolo all the way. I'm not a physicist but that extra weight over the cut just drives the machete in much deeper. I feels nice to swing with a tip heavy tool. To be honest, there is a lot going on that I can't explain. The extra steel in the cut area stiffens the machete ( for example, the tip past the cut on tapered latins can whip around if your techinique is not so good). Couple that with the extra weight past the cut and a heavy handle and you have a tool does not whip and vibrate in your hand while heavy chopping....
That response probably ended up as clear as mud. It is a good question mate and I'm going to have a good think about that if you don't mind.
All the best,
Ben
G'day mate good to hear an Aussie opinion on this. Had various styles over the years and prefer the tramontina bolos, and a little cut down 10 inch latin comes in handy for clearing and fishing jobs. Cheers from Taylor's arm area
It's always nice to hear from another Aussie mate! I'm in your camp regarding the little latins. I use the light 12" latin as a companion tool with a small chainsaw or brushcutter. A lot of new machete users often don't bother trying the smaller ones. It's a shame as they really are the 'little machete that could'.
I'm sure you already know this but for the other readers: If your technique is good (really basic to learn) and the machete is sharp, these smaller machetes can tackle quite large branches.
Thanks for the comment mate!
All the best Kurt,
Ben
Same, keep up the good vids. Hope your place came thru the fires ok
Late to the parade.
Love the way you talk through the differences, length and weight. These small difference really do make a difference. The environment and culture also adds to the plot. I've always said the best tool is probably what the locals are using.
One style missing is the golok, as in Martindale golok. The one I really like is the Skrma, a new take on the old design. Look them up as I think you would love it. (Wee bit more expensive but then they are made well and the steel is a class up). Mostly the handle design gives a fresh. very manageable; I'm a fan
I'm going to watch a few more of your vids now. ATB
G'Day Muskett and thank you for the complement! I do like the golok style as well, and I plan to do another comparison clip in the future with it. The Martindale version does have a cult like following (for good reason) but did you mean the Skrama made in Finland? If so, it looks darn handsome to be honest. I stumbled across them a few years back but have not had the chance to test one out as yet. The handle design is what caught my interest.
Actually on that note, the Skrama is where I got the idea of putting a longer 'handle and a half' on a machete. That is one mod I really like on a crafting tool that is tip heavy.
Thanks for the comment and support Muskett.
All the best,
Ben
I've always liked my knives and seeing how other people use theirs. Near on 30 years ago I was there when Ray Mears picked up his first Woodlore from Alan Wood! Not a knife I'm completely convinced with.
Anyhow, yes, I do mean the Skrama; I'm a fan. When back in stock just get a carbon one, as it will add to your interest. Just wished I'd though it up! They have done a good job too with it; and its not silly money.
What caught my attention on your video is the weight and balance thing. You understand it. Only takes a bit to change the complete function of a blade and its dexterity. I don't get the modern American take on heavy choppers. On overbuilt knives as a whole. Smacks of people who don't work with knives other than playing. No one else has historically used "heavy" build in that way, so its a modern thing.
Lofty Wiseman used a Martindale golok before bringing out his hard wood bolo. The Martindale is on the soft side and struggles to keep an edge, and the Wiseman Survival Tool was hard but not tough enough.
I quite like panga designs, though most are pretty soft for using on soft things.
My son's got to Australia, maybe I will do one day. Just gets me how many different environments there are out there. No knife can do it all.
Have fun, stay safe.
I'm sorry for the late response Muskett. Time gets away from me lately.
Well, that is a bit of history there! It's hard not to be a fan of Ray Mears but I also share the same opinion on the Woodlore knife. I'm guessing the original is the same style as his modern one and Alan Wood makes some of the best, I just favour other edge styles over scandi.
Scandi edges are darn lovely to use in the bush and have a cult like following, but I find they take too much time and care to keep them tipped up. I'm definitely in the minority with that opinion though. The original Kephart style is more to my liking.
You're on the money about the hardness of bush knives. Although they are thicker than machetes, they are rarely any harder. The Martindale golok is the perfect example as it's so common. They could have increased the hardness a few points and still had a robust tool. If you have a simple system and you're quick at field sharpening, it really is not an issue at all but, the new generation are demanding a whole lot more from their knives. Edge retention tends to be at the forefront.
Thank you for the comments and support Muskett.
All the best mate,
Ben
One other take on the bolo is the out of production Blackjack Marauder II. All weight forward and once committed there is no stopping. For using instead of an axe. When I was young I could control one, not now. The Skrama suits my needs, or its a chainsaw.
As I say "the locals have probably got it right".
Could chat knives over a barrel of beer.... or two even. Another time, keep the vid coming.
ATB
Muskett
I still clear my fence lines with a 28" Martindale machete.
That's a monster but the right tool for clearing. If I was not using a big brush cutter before a machete cleanup on a fence line, a much longer machete is a big advantage.
what about a latin the size of the bolo?
Good question MOO. I might have already answered this but smaller Latins are also a very capable tool. A point that has come up a few times from long time machete users is that size and shape becomes less important the more confident you become (ZERO innuendo intended). I do agree with that perspective.
I think the biggest point that I could separate them on would be chopping power vs crafting.
The bolo will easily out chop the same latin even if the steel is a little thicker.
The latins have a more useful tip for crafting.
Personally, I prefer to carry a small crafting knife as a companion tool anyway (like a Mora) so for me personally, I'm siding with a bolo.
Thanks for asking that MOO.
All the best mate,
Ben
do you make the sheaths yourself or did you purchase them from somewhere?
the design is fantastic.
Thanks for the complement Rob! The sheaths are all mine mate. I needed a whole lot more from the standard canvas and leather sheaths most of us have seen and used with machetes. Apart from being more cut resistant, I wanted something that was very fast to draw and stow. A bit like how a butcher uses their sheaths. I made a rough one years ago from PVC to use around the farm as well as when I'm in the bush. I love it so much, I just tweaked the design a little and ended up with that system you see in the clip.
All the best from OZ,
Ben
One important problem with your review. Latin machetes comes at many sizes, for instance tramontina has 10, 12, 16, 18 and 20 inches machetes too, they are sold in amazon just like the one you get. The main difference in the design between a bolo and a latin is that the bolo is tip heavier and carry a bigger punch with the same length but you would get tired faster than with a latin machete.
100% Agree mate! To simplify it, I went with the 18 inch latin as typically this is the most common size and style westerners use. Actually I would say that this is the style and size most westerns think about when they hear the word 'machete'. People that use machetes know there are a multitude of other flavours to choose from. If you were to ask most people in a nation that still heavily used machetes, they would class that 18" latin as small.
The point of the clip was to share that westerners typically use machetes differently, that there are other options and that bigger is not necessarily better.
Thanks for the input zenjr1004! I'm sure others will find the info helpful.
All the best,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia where can I buy Captain blackjack machete and how much is it?
I have an old ww2 American bolo with a 14 inch blade, I use it a lot for chopping brush around my property
What bolo machete is that? Thanks.
It's just a Tramontina Bolo that I tuned up.
Where can I get a sheath like that?
G'Day G P. These sheaths are custom made by us. Actually some of them were prototypes in this clip (it was a while ago now). There are lots of tutorials online regarding do it yourself PVC machete sheaths. Kydex style sheaths are easier to get a neater look using basic tools but you end up with a slightly wider sheath due to the rivet seam. ABS plastic is far cheaper than Kydex and it's fine for a sheath.
I hope that was helpful mate.
All the best,
Ben
Oh, yeah.
I´m a scythe-nerd and getting into the sight of expanding my world of using other tools - now machetes.
Saw this video by surfing the youtube. Like it a lot. Just like me. A nerd with knowledge of a certain tool - making bad videos!
Have a webshop in Denmark and would like to get much more into the use of the machete, although a lot of machete-work would be so much easier done by using a scythe.
I really like your nerd-skilled way and relation to the machete. Just saw this video, without searching if you have more - and just had to make a comment.
You have inspired me further into this tool - so I´ll send you all my credits.
Thanks a lot for making this video.
G'Day from Australia mate and thank you for the complement and comments!
I love it, I can't say I have been called a nerd in a long while but It's a complement. I am a nerd to be honest. I do like working out the mechanics behind what I'm working with. I find it usually leads to faster work and less mistakes.
Now onto scythes, they take a lot more skill to maintain and drive. I think you will find machetes a walk in the park in comparison. You are right, scythes can do a lot of work much faster than a machete. I recently came across a speed competition where they tested a big petrol brushcutter vs a scythe. The scythe was much faster but they mentioned nothing about the quality of the job. The scythe finished much faster, the lawn was left very neat and everything he cut was neatly placed in a windrow to the side. You could have easily picked up each bunch by hand. The petrol brush cutter had nothing on it.
The advantage to a machete is that it's far more diverse in its application. It's this reason it became the 'do all tool' for the poorer farmer. They are far simpler to manufacture and maintain.
The 'jack of all' will never be the master of one task like the scythe though. In a world without petrol tools, a scythe would be sorely missed.
Thanks for stopping by mate!
All the best,
Ben
I just discovered your channel, great stuff! As someone who maintains a fairly large (100 acres+) woodland lot with mixed deciduous and conifer growth, my golok style machete has served fairly well (though it does get tiresome) for de-limbing large trees when they crowd into the trails. Just wondering what your ideal too would be for this kind of trail maintenance. Thanks for the vids!!
G'Day Andrew and thanks for the complement mate! I can see why you like the golok style bush knives for de-limbing. The thicker steel in them makes it perform a little more like an axe. You're not alone, it would tire out most after a while. Most westerners would grab petrol tools (myself included) but It defeats the purpose of living in a quiet part of the world. If I'm just going for a walk, I would rather chip weeds with a machete as I stroll around.
Have you though about a combo setup? Pruning saws are the most energy efficient way to cut limbs thicker than your forearm and use the golok for cleanup. You may even find a lighter and thinner machete would be a good companion to a pruning saw.
I really dislike folding tools but a pruning saw would be one of the only exceptions. Another advantage to sharp saws is that they will leave a cleaner cut that the tree can heal from faster.
If you do go that route, don't skimp on the quality of the saw (Sliky, Bahco or Fiskars). Grab a few replacement blades while your at it. You can tip up the nice Japanese hardpoint saws with a thin diamond file but you can't re sharpen them or reset the teeth. They stay sharp for a long time if you're careful with them.
Saws spread disease between trees much faster than machetes though. If your concerned about that, metho (alcohol fuel) in a squirt bottle will clean most machetes real fast but you will need a stiff brush to clean in the saws teeth.
It does not sound like you need to clear weeds at ground level as you mentioned over hanging branches. The longer latins really shine in that department but they are a monster to wield for any length of time. 18" is classed as a short machete by anyone living in the jungle. I would say 22"-26" is more common for low ground work.
I hope that helps buddy!
All the best from OZ,
Ben
Thanks for the quick and informative response, Ben! I've got an old pruning saw that I use sometimes, but it doesn't fold. Makes for a pain to carry. I'll probably invest in a new one soon enough.
I'd say cheers, but that wouldn't be very seppo of me. Take care!
hahaha!! It's nice to see the banter between OZ and our US cousins is still alive and kicking mate! I'm happy to share the info with a fellow camper.
All the best,
Ben
I have and have used most of the time and seem to fall back on whenever I need a long cutting tool is a Malaysian parang. What's your views on these as tools to use in the Australian bush environment? I've used mine in jungle and tropical areas of Queensland. Thanks
G'Day Swampy! I think they are a great tool to be honest. I really like the shape and the way they cut (much more so than a khukuri). To me, most of the common machete/bush knives styles perform well here in Australia when they are tuned up properly. If the handle is comfortable and secure and the edge has been profiled and sharpened properly, it's going to work. The Malays know how to do this very well.
My only issue with the traditional tools is hardness. Some heat treat their knives properly and others can make them a bit on the soft side and you're not going to know until you test them out for yourself. Sometimes you will get one that is a pearler and other times you just get dents when processing wood for a fire.
I'm guessing but part of that problem is getting access to known steel.
SICUT is a well known brand here in OZ (Australia owned business and made in Borneo) I bet the quality control would be right up there. Condor is another (US owned made in El Salvador?) with a good reputation.
That was a good question mate!
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia softer steel for parang is intended..
@@dwenchan831 Yes and no. It is intended to be on the softer side due to the use of found or basic steels and very simple hardening techniques. By keeping it soft, you're guaranteeing a very tough tool. We have come a long way in the past decades with consistent steel quality as well as better heat treatment protocols. These bushknives being so thick can easily be made to be slightly harder than what they are. Machetes need to be a little softer because they are thin. Bushknives if made properly can be made a little harder.
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia I guess it depends where one lives also and whether one is using it for an extended jungle trip or just a short bush outing. I live in Northern Borneo by the way, and the parang design allows it to be easily maintained and repaired in the field far away from a workshop eg. in the jungle- something that cannot be achieved with a riveted handled blade for example. But at the end of the day any blade in the bush is better than no blade.
What about a comparison of the 14" latin vs 14" bolo?
That would be a more 'Apples with Apples' comparison and I did neglect it for a reason, but it is still a good question.
I chose the 18" Latin as it is the most common size and style in OZ, and its bigger than the Bolo. This clip was more about showing that a smaller tool can sometimes have advantages. The Bolo really punches above its weight in that category.
Now if you asked a Jamaican (and many others), they really love the 14" latins. There will always be differing opinions on everything. The rest of this answer is just my take on the tool.
The 14" latin will have the advantage of a pointy tip. I think the real advantage of the Bolo is the chopping power with more weight past the sweet spot. As far as draw length, weight, carving & crafting ability, portability, sheath length etc...they will come out on par IMO. Maybe the Latin would have a very slight advantage with crafting (pointy tip)...but not by much.
Now here comes the cultural differences. Most of the cultures around the world that still use machetes daily, tend to use the one machete for many tasks. I think most westerners would still carry a small hard steel crafting knife as a companion to a machete. I think a lot of the important detailed work you would use the machete tip for, would probably be done with a crafting knife.
As mentioned before, it's just my 2 cents worth on the topic.
All the best mate,
Ben
which machete is that at 11:50? And did you do the handle yourself?
That is the 14” bolo I believe, he was experimenting with “a handle and a half” to help balance out the machete, as they are top heavy.
Finally found someone outside of the axe vs knife debate and gets into the real tool needed!
Edit: I'm more into the Latin style. Just preferance but what is the one you use for demonstration in the video?
Cheers mate! I do still like and use knives and axes but I much prefer a proper thin machete these days. The debates on different tools is never ending! My take on it that most of the points are valid from a personal perspective so just pick the tools you like. In the clip, it's an 18" Tramontina Latin. I gave it a a sharpen and put a bigger handle on it. Darn good tool to be honest, especially with the heavier handle.
Thanks God bless
Yeah buddy a bolo is great for my bushcrafting needs its the best I also find that a bolo has very little shock if any, I use the tramontina bolo , its cheap easily maintain it and highly functional, cheap metal but still lasts for years
I like a thin and springy latin. Longer. I clear a lot and maintain trails. Keeps me from being bent over a lot. Very sharp. Thin keep from tiring. Sharp does too. Love your scabbard. I like a blade about matching my inseam, but I usually use one 6" shorter.
I also appreciate that you clearly use them for practical work not just showing off some obscure survival trick. most of the reviews I've seen are looking at extreme durability and speed busting through a log. All of that is almost irrelevant to what tool can you use all day without being exhausted. I used to clear mountain sides for my uncle and Grandpa's a kid and now I maintain trails occasionally for a family friend. A heavy machete with such as an Ontario machete will just wear you out. if you go to a Latin American country the ones they are actually using are actually pretty thin. It is hard to find good machetes in America. One usually sees the same two or three brands for sale. They are not particularly Sharpand their balances center percussion or just wrong in a way that is hard to define. My favorite machete that I currently own is made by corona
I'm in your camp on that point. I much prefer thin and light. If its sharp and your technique is good, you really can get a small tool to punch above its weight.
Thanks for the complement mate.
ATB from OZ,
Ben
Nail on the head with that comment. I see these primarily as tools that can be used for camp craft. Heavy wears me out. I actually learned that lesson watching how people from Vanuatu use machetes. A good cut is never a competition. They just safely chip away at the task.
There is not a whole lot of choice when it comes to machetes in the west...well when you compare the vast choice of styles, shapes and sizes you can find south of the border. At least you have close access to some of the custom makers.
Again, thanks for the comments mate. It's nice to hear from people who have a family history working out in the bush. It sounds like an important memory you have with your Uncle and Grandfather. I'm starting to think these experiences are becoming rare in the west?
All the best mate,
Ben
@@MacheteBushcraftAustralia well I grew up in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and a little bit of Alaska and a little bit of Hawaii. Alaska is definitely not tame but is not really machete country either. Everything there is very springy and tough. But Pacific Northwest machetes are great. most of the ones you see in stores are just completely worthless though. I went to Nicaragua and Guatemala and was very excited to see good machetes available very inexpensively. I only managed to bring a couple back though. The aforementioned Coroneta another Coroneta one that was too long for my luggage I gave to a local and a machete calabozo blade which is a little bit oversized from what I saw most people using. I mostly bought that one as a novelty but it is a very handy thing. Mine is a bit heavy but using it for whacking through something stouter works well, and it works very well to use as a pruning hook to reach down or up and hook behind a branch and pull in line with the grain. That's a very low effort cut.
How much do you charge for a sheath, I have a Tramantina Latin style that was the 22 inch but I cut it down to 15 1/2 inch blade and I’d love to have one of those sheaths in black?
If you're in OZ, send me an email and I will sort one out for you. I suspect you're in the US (Ohio) though.
What do you think of the aussie army surplus bolo machete's? I have one I bought back in the 90's, the date stamp on it is 1945, and its a very solid well made tool but have wondered what their quality was like. I'm guessing it would be fairly high quality being a military spec version.
They are actually quite good quality Catey. They are also quite collectable as well. Now, I'm no expert on military tools but generally they are good quality but the wartime ones can vary, especially towards the end of the conflicts. Of all the Australian bolo's I have seen they have been well heat treated tools.
Now I would probably pick a modern machete for a general purpose farm tool because it will perform just the same and I'm not loosing out by beating up a tool that can easily be replaced. If I wanted something personal with a bit of history as a camping and hiking tool, I would be restoring it for use.
Either way, take care of it Catey. There are not many of them left. I get emails from our Army guys and girls who restore them as a project.
I hope that was helpful.
All the best,
Ben
Thank you, it was helpful. and will definitely look after it, though it's in very good condition, just a little light surface rust on the blade but no pitting at all, still has the original 'blue' colour to it. the cross hatch pattern bakelite handles are in near mint condition and I have the original canvas scabbard which is also in excellent shape.will have to do a light clean up of it then and keep it looking nice.
To be honest, that sounds like it is in very good condition. I can't say I have seen one that was not trashed. Most of them ended up as garden tools soon after the war. You have a good one by the sounds of it. Take some pictures and email them to the war museum in Canberra. They might be interested.
How do you feel about shorter Latin blades (I've got some as small as 12")?
G'Day Charles and that is a great question. To be honest, I really like them! They are light, short and very in expensive. Anything they lack in chop-ability can be compensated with by battening on the side of a branch. They are easier to craft small task with and you can still use the tip to perform the difficult crafting cuts found on a Mors Try stick (you can't do all the cuts with a Bolo). You just pinch the blade near the tip. You can dress game like rabbits and fish with them. They are perfect for camp chores and kitchen prep.
I call these little 12" knives a Scout Machete. If I was still a Scout, This would be the tool I take with me. It's small, light and up to most of the tasks a bushcrafter might find themselves in. They are a good tool to learn on as well.
Machete Bushcraft Australia I quite agree. I find a 12-14" blade can get a lot done, but remains very agile.
I'm solidly in that camp. The little machetes that could!
All the best Charles,
Ben
my garden work horses are 13 and 14 inch. For weed whacking I use a 24 inch bolo-like model from Imacasa. 18 inch machetes are keep sakes, not users.