/ @preparedmind101 Preparedmind101 does a new blade review of the Tramontina 18" Machete made in Brasil. Website of the vendor recommended in the video: www.machetespecialists.com/
I have a Tramontina with a 14" blade and a 5" hardwood handle. My grandfather got it in 1950. He carried it in Korea, then used it on his farm until 1983. I use it today and other than sharping, oiling and making a new sheath for it, I've NEVER had to do anything to it. It's a great tool and I would be fully confident using it in combat.
Hey those machetes are made to last I have a friend from Brazil said his grandpa has one from the 50s he brought it last year and said it works good just sharpen with a file and stone
I share your enthusiasm for the Tramontina 18". Down here in Florida, we contend with palms and tall grass. Palms are a tougher cut than one might think. We have a local source for Tramontinas. The first one my husband bought was the wood handle 18" and he found as you did the handle was blocky and the edge stopped about 1.5" from the tip. He went to work and a few hours later he came forth with it sharpened all the way to the tip. Contoured the handle and ran a few coats of walnut stain on it and when totally dry, wrapped the handle in 550 black paracord. He also filed the spine for a 90 degree angle and also removing the rough spots. He levels hedges with it with ease. He won't loan it out to anyone. People have repeatedly asked. There are a number of different ways to sharpen a machete. File/stone, Worksharp and other methods. You can even run combination edges if needed. The nice thing is that because it does come a bit rough, you can make it your own. MacheteSpecialists is an excellent place to go. Leather doesn't last long around here so we use the Ontario heavy duty black nylon sheaths they offer for the 18" Latin Style which this is. You can not go wrong ever with a Tramontina 18". Their 12" machetes and 14" Bolos are nice also. Love the video and previously subscribed. What will it take to see how you do the wrist flip? Please?
I have a 19 inch full tang Tramontina that used to be my grandmother's, it has a hardwood handle and no sheath, where ever it was it's gone now. It has "Tramontina Brazil" engraved into the hilt near the handle. When I first found it, it suffered minor damage to exposure, scratches, nicks and only a little rust (thankfully) but mostly just tarnish, I managed clean it off some and now keep it with me inside. It's still very beautiful and like you said light weight yet strong and rigid. It was still pretty sharp when I first found it and packs quite a punch. Sometimes when I really look at it I can see the fibers (or scratch marks from when it was made) going from tip to handle, PS. After I cleaned it I used a whetstone on it and it only helped improve it,
I have the 21" latin machete and I just have to say that this is one of the most impressive blades I have come across. the handle was poorly cast plastic, but having a full tang like it did, It wasn't hard to break off the old handle and slap on some oak scales. Even though this is only meant to cut bush, it held up really well against some of the more grueling tests that I subject my large blades to. I wrapped some 1/8" hardened carbon steel chain around a 1x1" piece of mahogany and struck the chain multiple times. Neither the chain nor the blade had budged. I thought that I may have not been striking the chain hard enough and went at it harder and ended up breaking the piece of wood on which the chain was wrapped! No chipping in the blade and no major disfiguration (nothing that can't be fixed with a whetstone in a few minutes).
Bought a Tramontina in Panama about 15 years ago. Has a much shorter blade...14 in. Wrapped the handle with a leather boot lace and the grip is perfect. I really like the swing of the shorter blade.
Makes sense. Still...I want mine sharpened to the tip. That a Junglas in your avatar? Though about getting one, but wondered if it would be too redundant with all the choppers I already have.
Great review! Thanks! I almost purchased an ol' rusty one yesterday at an Estate Sale. The lady said she could get $10.00 for it easy.....Thank God I didn't jump on it! Much respect dude!
Is it the new 5160 steel? I don't know that much about 5160, but I hear it is a lot better than plain jane 1095. I wanted to get an RTAKII a while ago till I did some research on it and found a lot of the same failures. But that was the old steel. Might have to give Ontario another chance....
Chris, Great video. The Machete Specialist website is great. It has everything imaginable about machetes; history, uses, types, etc. Thanks for the link. Take care, Larry
A friend has one, the only complaint I have with it was edge retention. I don't know if it's the choice of steel or heat treating done on it but it doesn't seem to hold an edge like how carbon steel should hold it. Personally I love the shape, length, and balance of it, it's chopping power is devastating. I don't want something I would have to sharpen after each use especially if it was a survival situation, that may be time and calories I wouldn't have to spare at that moment.
With regard to machetes, don't underestimate Brazil. Only a country with the world's biggest rain forests can make the world's best machetes. My 12" Tramontina (it is bigger and heavier than you think!) has never disappointed me.
You should make a front leather guard on it. That prevent it from ever flinging out of your hand and ig younare clearing heavy brush it will save your knuckles.
I bought an 18 inch Tramontina a few weeks ago. I did some stealth camping in a nearby heavily wooded are, and took the Tram. along, put it through its paces. Before my Tram., I’d neither owned, or used a machete. I noticed that the blade veers off to the left, the last four, maybe five inches up to the tip. It’s barely noticeable. At most, it curves to the left 2 to millimeters, tops. If it’s normal, I’m good to go. But, if it could be a potential problem, I’d rather know now, and the darn thing breaks when I need it most... lol. I’ve scoured the Internet, and I simply cant find any info. about this. I’m assuming that’s a good sign. If anyone has an answer, I’d definitely appreciate it.
Sandpaper will fix that quick. Use some 150 grit, then 400, then 1000. That should take care of it. You aren't putting a high polish on a machete, so each little step doesn't matter. A powered hand sander will do it even faster. Then just order a replacement sheath from machetespecialists.
I've gota "20 inch one it's a pain to sharpen and i gotta oil it a lot. But i love to do cossak spins with it and blast branches when i'm gardening. greetings from brazil!
"You know, if you wanna go fighting zombies...or mexicans..." :D Great video man, best review on this knife yet!! And as Mike Kessler said, a video on sharpening would be good!! Thanks man!!
Not a fan. But they have a new one coming out soon that had my interest, as well as a longer version of the katana machete. But in true Cold Steel fashion, they put the stuff I want out last. Not looking forward to doing all the extra work they should be doing at the factory though (like deburring!)
I want a quality lightweight 18" blade machete like the Tramontina, but I don't want to have to mess around with putting an initial edge on it. I'm not that handy. I want something sharp from the factory and don't want to spend more than say $50. Is my best option something like a Condor Eco-Lite?
i've had mine since 1980, now it has an elk horn handle. i think i paid 3 bucks. i spend time in central america - they use them for everything. i like windlass/ cobra / ontario
The reason it is not sharpened to that top point is because they are not used up there that part is used for digging it sounds dumb but a friend of mine from Colombia says that it is used for multiple purposes
What I mean by each use is for example after building a shelter or after processing wood for the day in a cold weather situation, it seemed to dull enough after one chore to require restoring the edge. I thought it dulled too quickly compared to my cheap Chinese latin machete from Harbor Freight about 5 years ago (they don't carry the same one, it was a bargin at $1.99 with mods) or even my cheaper than dirt rough use knife cutting a similar amount of materials. I expected more from them.
No, mine is 1095, but seems to be allright. But everybody has to respect own tools. I was batoning once through old birch with many notches and blade was about to bend, so I stopped...Didn't want to risk, love my knives :D
+TheCanadianMojo Not very. But the steel is excellent. Nothing holds an edge like this. I've had one and used it VERY heavily for going on twenty years now, and while it isn't entirely recognizable at this point, it still holds a razor edge, even with heavy use, cutting dry hardwood, over a full days work. Just get a proper whetstone and put a good edge on.
One more thing; you should decorate the handle to personalize the machete. No one will ever even think about picking it up. I’m an off shore diver and every piece of my gear has my symbol on it. NO ONE; TOUCHES MY SHIT. don’t mark it and everyone will think it’s just a tool to be abused or used by anyone. I keep my machete razor sharp, clean and ready for whacking, hacking, cleaving or lopping oh yeah; or chopping. PS; Warning; don’t swat mosquitos on your legs with it.
PS, the Ontario 18" field machete looks to be too heavy at 1lb 5oz. I want more of a slicing machete. Ontario, with its weight, seems to be more of a chopper.
This a reason, why it is not sharp right to the tip...Becouse when you hit a branch which low on the ground, there is no way that you blunt end of your blade...
I already did the sharpening video. Search my channel. I forget the name. its either "sharpening long blades" or "four favorite sharpeners".... something like that. Thanks!
i call ontario sturdy , so, yeah, they are thicker choppers, maybe a big camp knife, my neighbors in costa rica use coronas, or imaska ..tramontanias are just fine. these guys use them all day long for everything. they make a smaller cane knife from a file these folks cant afford guns- ruger 22 pistol is 950 usd. but all hunting is banned .so other than cops and robbers, the machete rules. ticos arent particularly confrontational usual , not fond of nicas though forearm slice and youre done
I have a Tramontina with a 14" blade and a 5" hardwood handle. My grandfather got it in 1950. He carried it in Korea, then used it on his farm until 1983. I use it today and other than sharping, oiling and making a new sheath for it, I've NEVER had to do anything to it. It's a great tool and I would be fully confident using it in combat.
Hey those machetes are made to last I have a friend from Brazil said his grandpa has one from the 50s he brought it last year and said it works good just sharpen with a file and stone
I share your enthusiasm for the Tramontina 18". Down here in Florida, we contend with palms and tall grass. Palms are a tougher cut than one might think. We have a local source for Tramontinas. The first one my husband bought was the wood handle 18" and he found as you did the handle was blocky and the edge stopped about 1.5" from the tip. He went to work and a few hours later he came forth with it sharpened all the way to the tip. Contoured the handle and ran a few coats of walnut stain on it and when totally dry, wrapped the handle in 550 black paracord. He also filed the spine for a 90 degree angle and also removing the rough spots. He levels hedges with it with ease. He won't loan it out to anyone. People have repeatedly asked.
There are a number of different ways to sharpen a machete. File/stone, Worksharp and other methods. You can even run combination edges if needed. The nice thing is that because it does come a bit rough, you can make it your own.
MacheteSpecialists is an excellent place to go. Leather doesn't last long around here so we use the Ontario heavy duty black nylon sheaths they offer for the 18" Latin Style which this is. You can not go wrong ever with a Tramontina 18". Their 12" machetes and 14" Bolos are nice also.
Love the video and previously subscribed. What will it take to see how you do the wrist flip? Please?
I have a 19 inch full tang Tramontina that used to be my grandmother's, it has a hardwood handle and no sheath, where ever it was it's gone now. It has "Tramontina Brazil" engraved into the hilt near the handle. When I first found it, it suffered minor damage to exposure, scratches, nicks and only a little rust (thankfully) but mostly just tarnish, I managed clean it off some and now keep it with me inside.
It's still very beautiful and like you said light weight yet strong and rigid. It was still pretty sharp when I first found it and packs quite a punch. Sometimes when I really look at it I can see the fibers (or scratch marks from when it was made) going from tip to handle,
PS. After I cleaned it I used a whetstone on it and it only helped improve it,
I have the 21" latin machete and I just have to say that this is one of the most impressive blades I have come across. the handle was poorly cast plastic, but having a full tang like it did, It wasn't hard to break off the old handle and slap on some oak scales. Even though this is only meant to cut bush, it held up really well against some of the more grueling tests that I subject my large blades to. I wrapped some 1/8" hardened carbon steel chain around a 1x1" piece of mahogany and struck the chain multiple times. Neither the chain nor the blade had budged. I thought that I may have not been striking the chain hard enough and went at it harder and ended up breaking the piece of wood on which the chain was wrapped! No chipping in the blade and no major disfiguration (nothing that can't be fixed with a whetstone in a few minutes).
Thanks Chris, pulled the trigger on this yesterday to replace my old pos one.
Bought a Tramontina in Panama about 15 years ago. Has a much shorter blade...14 in. Wrapped the handle with a leather boot lace and the grip is perfect. I really like the swing of the shorter blade.
Another vote for Machete Specialists. Great selection, great price, great service. Not to mention just plain information you can use.
Makes sense. Still...I want mine sharpened to the tip. That a Junglas in your avatar? Though about getting one, but wondered if it would be too redundant with all the choppers I already have.
Great presentation of this machete, simple, but a good tool to take jungle.
Thanks for sharing.
Brazilian friend.
Great review! Thanks! I almost purchased an ol' rusty one yesterday at an Estate Sale. The lady said she could get $10.00 for it easy.....Thank God I didn't jump on it! Much respect dude!
The point came out great. Good looking machete!
Great review..I bought a cold steal short sword 32 inch...I love it..mow you got me wanting one of these ..
Is it the new 5160 steel? I don't know that much about 5160, but I hear it is a lot better than plain jane 1095. I wanted to get an RTAKII a while ago till I did some research on it and found a lot of the same failures. But that was the old steel. Might have to give Ontario another chance....
I bought the same kind of sheath for mine recently(haven't received it yet )...how did you secure the excess material to the back of the sheath?
Chris,
Great video. The Machete Specialist website is great. It has everything imaginable about machetes; history, uses, types, etc. Thanks for the link.
Take care,
Larry
Thanks. I'll be getting one.
I've been looking at the Cobra Steel Kindjal ever since wealljuggleknives did his video on it. May still pick one up.
how do you do that impressive move?
A friend has one, the only complaint I have with it was edge retention. I don't know if it's the choice of steel or heat treating done on it but it doesn't seem to hold an edge like how carbon steel should hold it.
Personally I love the shape, length, and balance of it, it's chopping power is devastating. I don't want something I would have to sharpen after each use especially if it was a survival situation, that may be time and calories I wouldn't have to spare at that moment.
With regard to machetes, don't underestimate Brazil. Only a country with the world's biggest rain forests can make the world's best machetes. My 12" Tramontina (it is bigger and heavier than you think!) has never disappointed me.
If you don't mind my asking, why modify the blade when Tramontina makes a bolo?
what do you think about the cold steel magnum kukri??
I have an ton of blackberries for you to slice. on a serious side, did you use the belt sharpener?
What do you think about the 20" Too long?
You should make a front leather guard on it. That prevent it from ever flinging out of your hand and ig younare clearing heavy brush it will save your knuckles.
I bought an 18 inch Tramontina a few weeks ago. I did some stealth camping in a nearby heavily wooded are, and took the Tram. along, put it through its paces. Before my Tram., I’d neither owned, or used a machete. I noticed that the blade veers off to the left, the last four, maybe five inches up to the tip.
It’s barely noticeable. At most, it curves to the left 2 to millimeters, tops. If it’s normal, I’m good to go. But, if it could be a potential problem, I’d rather know now, and the darn thing breaks when I need it most... lol.
I’ve scoured the Internet, and I simply cant find any info. about this. I’m assuming that’s a good sign. If anyone has an answer, I’d definitely appreciate it.
This is a sick machete fairplay
How about one on sharpening large blades?
Sandpaper will fix that quick. Use some 150 grit, then 400, then 1000. That should take care of it. You aren't putting a high polish on a machete, so each little step doesn't matter. A powered hand sander will do it even faster. Then just order a replacement sheath from machetespecialists.
I've gota "20 inch one it's a pain to sharpen and i gotta oil it a lot. But i love to do cossak spins with it and blast branches when i'm gardening. greetings from brazil!
Chris,you've got to do a slow motion vid on your machete flipping technique!!!
Epic !
"You know, if you wanna go fighting zombies...or mexicans..." :D Great video man, best review on this knife yet!! And as Mike Kessler said, a video on sharpening would be good!! Thanks man!!
Yup they are crude. I can tell you worked your butt off. I use a machine shop to get the primary grind. but those scales are a good idea. kudos
Not a fan. But they have a new one coming out soon that had my interest, as well as a longer version of the katana machete. But in true Cold Steel fashion, they put the stuff I want out last. Not looking forward to doing all the extra work they should be doing at the factory though (like deburring!)
I have one and it's awesome no more branches 👌
I want a quality lightweight 18" blade machete like the Tramontina, but I don't want to have to mess around with putting an initial edge on it. I'm not that handy. I want something sharp from the factory and don't want to spend more than say $50. Is my best option something like a Condor Eco-Lite?
i've had mine since 1980, now it has an elk horn handle.
i think i paid 3 bucks.
i spend time in central america - they use them for everything.
i like windlass/ cobra / ontario
What are you gonna pierce with a machete it'd definitely to flexible to stab and why would u use it as a sword?
Mike...I did that video today. Will upload it tonight.
The reason it is not sharpened to that top point is because they are not used up there that part is used for digging it sounds dumb but a friend of mine from Colombia says that it is used for multiple purposes
What I mean by each use is for example after building a shelter or after processing wood for the day in a cold weather situation, it seemed to dull enough after one chore to require restoring the edge. I thought it dulled too quickly compared to my cheap Chinese latin machete from Harbor Freight about 5 years ago (they don't carry the same one, it was a bargin at $1.99 with mods) or even my cheaper than dirt rough use knife cutting a similar amount of materials. I expected more from them.
What did you use to sharpen it and how? A file? Thanks
he uses the work sharp
No, mine is 1095, but seems to be allright. But everybody has to respect own tools. I was batoning once through old birch with many notches and blade was about to bend, so I stopped...Didn't want to risk, love my knives :D
I have one, my uncle gave it to me but its kinda rusty, it's from brazil but its kinda heavy
You cant do better than that! nice work.
Is it sharp out of the box ?
+TheCanadianMojo Not very. But the steel is excellent. Nothing holds an edge like this. I've had one and used it VERY heavily for going on twenty years now, and while it isn't entirely recognizable at this point, it still holds a razor edge, even with heavy use, cutting dry hardwood, over a full days work. Just get a proper whetstone and put a good edge on.
Is this 1/8th inch or 1/16?
1/16 inch
They’re $20 at Lowes too.
One more thing; you should decorate the handle to personalize the machete. No one will ever even think about picking it up.
I’m an off shore diver and every piece of my gear has my symbol on it. NO ONE; TOUCHES MY SHIT. don’t mark it and everyone will think it’s just a tool to be abused or used by anyone.
I keep my machete razor sharp, clean and ready for whacking, hacking, cleaving or lopping oh yeah; or chopping.
PS; Warning; don’t swat mosquitos on your legs with it.
very similar to what i did with a 12' brazilian machete, clip point and razor sharp ;P
PS, the Ontario 18" field machete looks to be too heavy at 1lb 5oz. I want more of a slicing machete. Ontario, with its weight, seems to be more of a chopper.
This a reason, why it is not sharp right to the tip...Becouse when you hit a branch which low on the ground, there is no way that you blunt end of your blade...
Seems silly... Till you try it with a blade that isn't quite sharp enough. Then you see why it is a good way to test.....
Son los mejores machetes del mundo no se porque no están a la venta en las tiendas de Texas tienen puros machetes que parecen cuchillos
I already did the sharpening video. Search my channel. I forget the name. its either "sharpening long blades" or "four favorite sharpeners".... something like that. Thanks!
suppose you had a melee with a zombie with a tonfa style police stick who would win. You flip it good................curios.
i call ontario sturdy , so, yeah, they are thicker choppers, maybe a big camp knife,
my neighbors in costa rica use coronas, or imaska ..tramontanias are just fine.
these guys use them all day long for everything.
they make a smaller cane knife from a file
these folks cant afford guns- ruger 22 pistol is 950 usd.
but all hunting is banned .so other than cops and robbers, the machete rules.
ticos arent particularly confrontational usual , not fond of nicas though
forearm slice and youre done
Pretty cool... no bottle of water is safe around you bro >_o
No, I hate ESSE knives for it price!! That's RTAK from Ontario Knives...Cheers!