The Gun Counter

I've been looking at two machetes. They both fit the budget; I think under $50 is where I need to stay.

First, we have Cold Steel's Kukri, at an OAL of either 18" or 22", and price at around $30.

Next comes the Gerber Parang. At $43, it's part of a Gerber line by Bear Grylls. It's 20" overall.

I'd use it for clearing brush. By clearing I mean severing the heads of, and by brush I mean the recently reanimated dead.

Here's someone's tests of the Cold Steel Kukri machete (part 1, part 2 is another video), but from watching video 1, it appears to be a pretty good value for the money. I'm sure if you asked them (Cold Steel) to send you one of their DVDs with demonstrations of their blades. I'm sure you'll find some of the answers you were looking for even in a common-use item like a machete. They put many of their videos online for easy access, so you don't even need to ask for the DVD (unless you'd like to).

I've bought several items from Cold Steel and have been very happy with all of their performances (including the one blade unintentionally slicing open one of my own fingers several years ago).

*IF* you plan on buying online, use the LTSPECPRO website, 'cause the Cold Steel site is run by a contractor and the prices aren't as good as the LTSpecPro site (LT is Lynn Thompson's initials, and IIRC, Spec Pro is for Special Promotion or something like that). Sometimes you'll find the Cold Steel site's prices WAY above the Lynn Thompson site's prices.

It pays to shop around.

At KnifeCenter.com, the 17" Cold Steel Kukri is $18.95, so spend a little time digging around and do some shopping. After all, it's only YOUR money!

BUT, to answer your question, my preference would be the Kukri-style machete. I've seen the Kukri in action and been very impressed with its chopping ability, not so much so with the bent-back blade of the Bear Grylls "advertised" blade.

The Gerber has gotten some bad reviews for the first runs--check the website for recalls.

Try Machete Specialists since that's all they deal in and have about forty brands on hand...

I have a Cold Steel 18" Kukri machete. The knife is OK, needs sharpening when you get it; but the sheath is junk. You can get one for $15.95 plus $8.15 s+h from this guy. I've bought stuff from him before, pretty good service.

I also have a Ka-Bar Kukri machete.
It is FAR better quality, will shave your arm out of the package, and the sheath is good quality. You get what you pay for. here

You might also look at a Gerber Gator Brush Thinner.
I bought Grandpa Termite one to keep on his Kawasaki Mule. He uses it a lot, and says it works well.

I also have a Ka-Bar Kukri machete.

Thanks for the recommendation. I just bought one here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ka-Bar-New-Kukr ... 2a14f9d6ed

$42.29 w. free shipping from a reputable seller. Hurry up Workin, only 5 left!

Just took delivery of the new Ka-Bar. It's very well built, razor sharp and has a very hefty feel to it. Great deal for $42!

Thanks for the recommendation, Termite. Crappy cell phone pic below.

Glad you like it. There is one in the back of my vehicle(Ford Escape) right now.

Great companian to my pistol in the event of a zombie attack........

workinwifdakids wrote:Next comes the Gerber Parang. At $43, it's part of a Gerber line by Bear Grylls. It's 20" overall.

Does using it mean you have to drink your own pee?

I used it this week to chop small branches off downed tree limbs. Worked wonderfully and is still sharp as new.

rightisright wrote:I used it this week to chop small branches off downed tree limbs. Worked wonderfully and is still sharp as new.

In the near future (we've recently had some rains), I'm going to need to chop up some bushes with some thick branches and some light tree limbs, including some Plumbago bushes, Plum Tree volunteers, some large paddle cactus bushes, and other bushes with long, stringy, branches.

I have a machete, but it's a little long to use in the area I want to chop down and the grip isn't very good - and I really don't need a lot of blisters on my hand. I'm SERIOUSLY considering getting the Ka-Bar you purchased based upon your review. It seems to be a great value for the money.

Do you have anything else to add to your review after having it and using it for a while?