Machetes are important tools for outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, forest survival and other wilderness exploration missions. Choosing the best machete for these activities can be difficult, especially if you have never owned one before.
Here are some top tips on how to identify the perfect machete.
1. Shapes and Functionality
Machetes are manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some are perfect for clearing bush, while others can even cut fully grown trees. It is important that you should know the reason why you need a machete. If you are camping deep in the jungle, then you should pick the double-edged machete that has the ability to cut on both sides of the blade. However, if you are clearing light bush at home, then choose Bowie or Bolo machetes. A typical machete is about 12-24 inches long. The thickness of a machete depends on the quality of the blade material used to manufacture the item. You should pick the best fitting shape of a machete for your outdoors. Avoid machetes that are over 22 inches long, unless you have a specific function for their use.
2. Blade Composition
The composition of a machete blade varies widely from one product brand to another. Most machetes are made of high carbon steel that is combined with spring temper. Others are made of stainless steel. Carbon steel blades are always of better quality than the other types. When choosing a machete, you should consider factors such as rust resistance, durability, and lightness. Blade composition will determine how well the machete will cope with rust-inducing substances, how long the blade will last and most importantly how heavy or light the blade will feel in your hand. Tough carbon steel machetes are always the best when it comes to toughness and durability.
3. Sheath and Handles
Most machetes are made of polymer handles. The high-impact polymer handles are of better quality than wooden handles. A sheath helps cover the machete’s blade when it is not in use. The sheath provides safe storage and is also an important factor to consider when buying a machete. The plastic sheath is often better than wooden or leather ones. Plastic sheaths are flexible and do not hold moisture within. This is important when trying to avoid rapid rusting on the machete’s blade. The leather sheath is good, but it holds a lot of moisture, especially if you are exposed to wet weather conditions.
Lastly, it is important to check machete prices before buying. Some machetes are expensive but provide excellent services. Others are cheap but ineffective. Always look at the quality when buying machetes. It is better to spend more and get long-lasting, high-quality products than to spend less and buy a worthless machete.