Best Machete For Survival And Self Defense: 7 Ferocious Blades Reviewed

A few years ago, I spent two months in the jungles of Peru.  That experience gave me a new appreciation for all the uses of a survival machete.

It would have been literally impossible to get through some of the thick overgrowth if we didn’t have a good machete with us to hack the vines!

Even now in the states, I’m constantly finding new uses for a machete.

Lets dive straight into our top picks.

 

Top Survival Machetes

Survival All Rounder

Best machete for experienced users who want a tough, intimidating, and well-made tool.Check On Amazon

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For Beginners

Best machete for those who want an affordable, entry-level blade for light tasks. Check On Amazon

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best machetes: our top picks of 2018

Machete	Style	Total Length	Weight	Steel
Top Pick Ka-Bar Kukri	Kukri	17"	1.3lbs	1085
SOG SOGfari	Kukri	18"	0.94lbs	420
Condor Panang	Panang	17.5"	7.05oz	1075
Schrade SCHBOLO	Bolo	20"	1.6lbs	Stainless
United Cutlery Panga	Panga	15"	2lbs	Stainless
Condor Engineer	Bolo	20"	2.54lbs	1075
CRKT Halfachance	Parang	20"	1lb	65mn
Gerber Parang	Parang	19.5"	1.2lb	Stainless

Top Survival Machetes Reviewed

Ka-Bar Kukri Machete

By our rating this is one of the best machetes around, Ka-Bar has really delivered a gorgeous product. It is made from 1085 carbon steel with a black epoxy powder coating.

The rubberized Kraton handle fits well in your hand. Just be warned that the Kraton can cause blisters, so wear gloves when doing heavy-duty tasks.

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The only mild complaint I can have about the Ka-bar Kukri is that its sheath is a bit awkward to carry.  The sheath does have a belt loop and end loops, but it still doesn’t sit well.  Considering the low price though, I can’t complain too much.

Kukris aren’t as strong as a bolo, but they do a good job of chopping and cleaning small branches.  At 17” total length with handle, the Ka-Bar Kukri is a great campsite companion.

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CRKT Ken Onion Halfachance 14” Parang Machete 

The Halfachance machete certainly makes a strong first impression. Designed by Ken Onion, the machete looks mean and imposing. It is technically a parang-type machete, but has design elements of a Bowie.

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As you’d expect from a Parang, the blade is thin at just 1/10^th inch. This makes it suitable for clearing light brush and some camp tasks like carving wood. You won’t want to use this machete to chop thick wood though.

The blade is made from 65MN carbon steel, which has a hardness in the mid 50s. This means it is a relatively low hardness machete. The downside is that it will need sharpening more often. However, the low-hardness means that sharpening is a lot easier. The softer steel also absorbs strikes better, meaning that the blade is less likely to shatter if you accidentally hit a rock or nail.

As far as weight goes, the Halfachance is just 20.4oz. Again, not great for chopping – but it is great for people who are just learning to wield a machete or don’t have much core strength.

The main downside of the Halfachance Parang is that it has finger grips. I personally don’t like these. Unless your fingers fit the grips perfectly, your fingers can be in an uncomfortable, improper grip. However, some people prefer finger grips as they reduce slippage.

Note that the Amazon listing for this machete is a bit zconfusing. The machete comes in different blade lengths, but the listing title says “18 inches” for all of them. The Halfachance is actually 14” long. The Chanceinhell version is 18”.

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SOG SOGfari 18” with Saw Back

I honestly didn’t expect much out of such a cheap machete.  However the SOGfari delivers well on quality.  The blade is a classic Latin/Bush style.

The long, uniform blade is good for efficiency – and especially great if you aren’t used to swinging a machete.

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The SOGfari comes in two sizes: 13” and 18”.  I personally would only go with the 18”.  It has more swinging power and doesn’t feel bulky carrying.

The saw back has offset teeth like a hand saw.  As with any saw back machete, sawing through branches can be a bit awkward because of the handle shape.  However, you can get through 5” branches relatively easily.

Note that this is a low budget machete.  For the price, it’s great.  Just don’t expect too much from the 420 steel (which has almost no carbon in it).  Thus, I’d recommend the SOGfari for newbies wanting to get a feel for survival machetes.

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Condor Parang 17.5 inch

The Parang machete by Condor is a great blade for thinning out thick brush or even saplings.

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At 17.5 inches, the blade might seem like it would be too long.  However, it is very well balanced. The only issue is that the parang blade is fairly thick, making it heavy for its style.

If you aren’t experienced with using machetes or don’t have much thick brush to clear, you might want to choose a lighter machete.

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Schrade SCHBOLO Bolo

While they aren’t as popular as brands like Gerber and SOG, Schrade makes great quality blades at very good prices. They’ve got quite a few survival machetes and I had a hard time choosing a best.

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I love their Bolo machete because it has the perfect curve.  Remember, the bulging shape of a Bolo blade allows for better distribution of force and more cutting surface. Though relatively short at 14 inches, the blade whacks right through branches.  You could easily chop up a big log with this machete.

At 4mm, the blade is really thick.  Surprisingly, it still cuts through thin grass.  I don’t think it would hold up well in jungle situations because of all those vines, but it is a good machete for forests.

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Condor 15” Engineer Bolo Machete

The Condor Engineer Bolo machete has been around for a long time. Unlike most Bolo machetes which are mid-weight, this one is a beast. It weighs 2.54lbs and has a 3/16” thick blade, which is great for chopping through wood.

It is not great, however, for clearing brush. Your body would quickly tire from swinging it around!

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The curvature of the blade is made well. When you hit wood, the weight of the blade goes through the curve to maximize chopping. Again, this is great for heavy-duty tasks!

As for the blade material, it is a 1075 high carbon steel. The steel holds its edge well, even against harder wood. Hard steel does mean you need to be careful not to hit any nails or rocks though. Another issue is that the high carbon steel will rust. Make sure you clean the machete and store it properly! I wouldn’t recommend using this machete in humid places.

Some other nice aspects of the Engineer Machete are the gorgeous finish, durable leather sheath, and wood handle. All of these nice features are pointless though if you don’t plan on doing lots of chopping. And, if you are only going to use it for chopping, maybe you’d be better off with an axe.

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Gerber Bear Grylls Parang

I’ve bashed on Bear Grylls products before, but not all of them are complete crap. For people looking for an entry-level machete at a low cost, this one is worth considering.

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The blade has a very good weight-to-size ratio, which makes it easy to swing. The blade is 13.5 inches long, just about 1/8 inch thick, and 19oz. It will handle light tasks well, such as clearing brush around camp or the yard.

Be warned that the steel isn’t the best quality (as you’d expect from a cheap machete). The blade will bend or dent if you try to hack through hard, thick wood. It’s also really important that you use proper form with the machete as hitting at the wrong angle could also cause the blade to bend.

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United Cutlery Colombian Panga

Considering the low cost of this machete, it is a great blade.  The AUS-6 stainless steel isn’t nearly as tough as carbon steel, but still great quality considering the price.  You’ll also love the design of the panga as it is very well balanced.

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I’d recommend this panga machete for beginners who have light brush to clear.  The curvature of the blade mean that you can use it for various tasks.  The molded handle with guard over it helps ensure you won’t lose your grip and hurt yourself.

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Uses for a Good Machete

Big and strong, the machete is a very versatile type of blade. It is something between a sword, cutlass, and survival knife. Some go as far as calling machetes “the only multi-tool you’ll ever need.”

I still like my small EDC multi-tools, but I definitely have a machete in with my survival gear.

Bear in mind that there are a lot of types of machetes. A machete might be able to do all of this, but it won’t necessarily do it well.

You’ve really got to consider how you will use the machete before you buy it. Then you can make sure you get the best machete for your needs.

Types and Blade Shapes

When you start looking at machetes, you’ll see that they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.  These styles make them suited for different purposes.  To figure out what style is right for you, consider the:

• Blade thickness: Thin machetes are made to slash through lighter bush without straining your arm (think clearing a grassy campsite). Thicker machetes can hack through huge branches – but the weight will give your arms a major workout!
• Blade curve: Some machetes (such as the kukri) have very drastic curves. The curve increases the contact area of the blade, making it ideal for chopping.  Curved blades are also ideal for slashing, making them a formidable weapon. By contrast, a straight blade is better for thrusting.
• Blade Tip: Pointed tips are great for tasks like skinning game. However, pointed tips aren’t as strong.  Rounded blades are better for clearing thick bush or chopping through wood.

 

Most Popular Types 

Kukri

My personal favorite type of survival machete, the kukri has three parts.

The first part is the pointed tip, which makes it a good self-defense weapon.

The second part is the curved mid-area, which is ideal for cutting through thick bush.

Finally the area near the handle is good for detailed work.

The only issue is that these are really heavy, so your arm will be killing you after a day of clearing.

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Latin/Bush

The long, thin shape of the Latin machete helps it stay balanced.  Thus, it is fairly easy to perform tasks with the Latin machete.  It serves as a good multi-tool.

Just don’t expect it to do tough tasks efficiently – it’s too thin and pointed.

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Bolo

The bolo is an excellent all-around machete.  The rounded shape adds strength for tough tasks but the blade is still thin enough for lighter work.

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Bowie

The main feature of the Bowie machete is its clip-point blade.  This blade makes it ideal for skinning game.  The point makes the blade weaker though, so don’t expect to do much chopping with a bowie.

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Panga

I consider the panga to be the fiercest-looking of all machetes.  It is commonly used in Southern Africa as a weapon.

Some are made so both sides can be sharpened, meaning it will slice through game (or disembowel someone) fairly quickly. The curvature makes it good for slicing as well as light chopping.

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Parang or Golok

Parang and golok machetes are two types with very similar features.  They have beautiful, sleek curves to them but the entire blade is narrow.

Because these blades are thick, they are still very strong and great for cutting through thick brush.

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Spetsnaz

These were made by the Soviets during WWII and still used by Russian Special Forces today.

The machete was designed to be a heavy-duty chopping tool, which is why the blade is so thick and heavy.

A Spetsnaz is really hard to sharpen and not balanced.  However, a lot of people love them as collector’s items.

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Which Machete Type to Get?

The type of machete you get mostly depends on where you live – what type of vegetation or wood will you be cutting through?

Here’s a general breakdown of the best machete to get based on how it will be used.

• Cutting through Thin Underbrush: The Latin and Bolo machetes are good for this because they have thinner blades which make it easier to go through thin brush without straining yourself.
• Clearing Thick Brush: You’ll need a machete with a thicker blade to go through thicker brush. The Parang and Golok are good choices. The Kukri also works well because its curved blade can hook branches.
• Chopping Wood: You want a machete with a heavier, thicker blade for chopping work. A Spetsnaz is ideal for this. The Bolo and Panga machetes are also good options, and a Golok or Parang can do lighter chopping work.
• Butchering Game: Machetes with thin, pointed blades like the Bowie are what you need for butchering game.
• Shaping Wood: It depends on what you want to shape, but generally you’ll need a very thin, light blade to effectively shape wood. A Bush or Latin machete is great for this. You can also use a Kukri – the part of the blade near the handle is shaped for splicing/carving wood.
• Combat/Self-Defense: Combat machetes need to be able to slice effectively. The double-sided Panga machete will certainly do this. You’d also want a longer machete blade to keep more distance between you and your attacker, so a long Latin or Bolo machete could work. If you have more skill, the Kukri is great for both stabbing or cutting the head off an attacker!

Best Multi-Purpose Machete Type

If you need the best machete to accomplish many different tasks (or aren’t sure how you’ll be using your machete), then I’d recommend going with a Kukri.

The Kukri is used in Central Asia as a military weapon, but also handles many other camp tasks. The blade shape really gives you a lot of versatility.

You’ll be able to use it for chopping, clearing vegetation, and even whittling.

Other Machete Features

Once you’ve learned about the types of machete (blade styles), the other features are the same as when choosing a knife:

• Tang: The tang is the part of the blade that extends into the handle. Cheap machetes will have thin tangs which are glued into the handle.  The best machetes have full tangs attached with bolts and are much sturdier.
• Blade Material: Natives will make their own machetes out of scrap metal. When buying a machete though, you’ll want to look for a high-quality, strong steel or carbon-steel.  Here’s a good guide to blade steel quality.
• Length: In general, machete blades are very long. Some are longer than others, which make them more efficient at clearing bush and effective as weapons – but are much heavier to carry.  
• Handle Material: While wood handles are often considered best, this is really a matter of personal preference. I personally like rubberized handles for their non-slip grip but they wear out quickly.
• Pommel: The pommel is the end of the blade. Flat pommels are great if you want to use for hammering.
• Extras: Depending on your needs, you might want a machete with a saw-back or gut hook.

 

Sheaths

Some cheap survival machetes come without a sheath.  While locals living in the jungles of South American and Asia might be able to get by without a sheath, you are probably going to want one!

If the machete you want doesn’t come with a sheath (or a sheath in the material you want), make sure you can easily find one.  Machetes are very specifically shaped, so you can have a hard time finding a sheath to fit – and it costs a lot to special order one!

As far as materials go, leather sheaths are preferred.  However, nylon sheaths are also good options for a fraction of the cost.  Also pay attention to whether there are belt loops for carrying or not.

Tips for Proper Use

When using a machete, you should NOT get blisters, sore arms, or an aching back. Unfortunately, there is a bit of a learning curve for using a machete. So expect to deal with these problems at the beginning.

While blisters are manageable, you don’t want to risk getting any worse injuries.

Please take the time to learn about proper machete form and technique before you go hacking away at some brush!
Here are some basics about machete technique to get you started.

Gripping the Machete

A common mistake is to grip a machete with a “death grip.” Your grip should actually be somewhat loose.

If you are getting really sweaty, you can wear gloves with the machete or even use a lanyard to attach the handle to your wrist. This will prevent the machete from slipping out of your hand (and causing you to lose a toe!).

Machete Form

Here is where it helps to have a really strong core! Contrary to what many think, you should actually be swinging the machete from your core, and not your back or arms.

Start by lowering your shoulder. Then swivel your core back. Twist your core forward, whipping your arm (with the machete in it) downward. The downward action is important because it allows the machete to do the work. You get the weight of the machete and gravity on your side.

Your elbow should be leading as your arm whips around. Your wrist will flick at the very last moment before you make contact with what you are chopping.

The motion is a lot like skipping rocks across water. It is NOT like chopping with an axe!

Getting the Proper Angle

This takes a lot of practice to master. I’d recommend that you chop/cut slowly with your machete when you first get started. This will help you build up good form so learn to instinctively hit at the right angle.

Doing this will save you a lot of strain and wasted energy.

• Chopping: For chopping wood, you need to hit it at a 45 degree angle. You do NOT want to hit it at a perpendicular angle. The machete will just get stuck. You continue chopping in alternative 45 degree angles, making V notches.
• Clearing brush or cutting grass: You also need to use a 45 degree angle for brush or grass. You’ll use longer slashing motion though.

This video shows why angle is so important for cutting with a machete.