So i want to get a machete or kukri or something similar. I want to get a good one with no finger guard as i have large hands. I have never bought one before so i need some help. Thanks in advance
@Bigfoot1986, there's some info here to start your search. Machete - a Bushcraft Swiss Army Knife | Survival Forums
@Bear makes great machetes. I have a couple. But @Bigfoot1986, I would suggest starting with a Tramontina or something like it first. Good to learn on a cheapie. Tramontinas are like the Moras of machetes.
Aloha @Bigfoot1986 , A machete or kukri or for that matter any blade depends on what you will use it for and where you are located... certain parts of the world and US are mostly hardwoods while others are soft woods and vegetation... that may determine thickness, profile and edge geometry... Big hands are also relative... take a measurement of the length from your outstretched dominant hand as well as the length of your palm from pointer to pinky... to give us an idea of the size ... I know of a few folks with what I call massive hands but again that's all relative.... Many here already own off the shelf machetes and kukris and will be able to tell you from those measurements.... if you need or may want a custom handle. It's always good to start with where you are and what you will be using it for as well as how you hope to carry it... Budget is also a consideration... hard earned money is an important resource for many of us Take some time to think on that and then if you don't mind sharing a few more details... I'm sure the experts here will chime in... Hope that helps you help us help you Have a great Sunday! Take Care and God Bless, Bear
Don't buy a TraditionalFilipinoWeapons.com for this purpose. They advertise (like Cold Steel, and others) by cutting down trees with "swords", but if YOU use them like that, it says way down in the fine print that that is not an intended use of the weapon...
Id say the condor bushcraft parang. Is as good as any in the world. And its cheap. machetes are flimsy.
You can't beat anything made in Brazil by Tramontina. They are made by and sold to people who use their machetes every day. Many big knife makers buy them and have their logo put on them. Cold Steel used to tell you, many of their machetes were Tramontinas. If something smaller floats your boat, look at the KERSHAW Camp Knives.
I have been getting in a lot of cold steel machetes (thai and cutlass in particular) ontario cutlery, and tramontina. If you want a somewhat flexible blade that will excel at cutting vines and other light mass/flexible things, go tramontina. If you are going to be chopping on trees and such like, go with ontario. If you are doing something in-between, the cold steels are a solid medium, and the new grips on a lot of them are sweet.