Digging Tools

[oldsparkey]

I was reading the reviews on the Gerber at Cabelas. Seams this is a common thread in the review section about it.

" I purchased this machete last year. the blade was very sharp and stayed sharp. the saw was great too. I only used it once last year and twice this year. Today I started to use it and the handle broke off. Any descent knife would have the blade run though and to the butt of the handle. This blade ends right at the beginning of the handle, is held on by four 1/8" long plastic dimples and one bolt. This design was born to fail. I really loved this machete, if I new that it was made this way I would never have purchased it. If the steel went all the way through the handle as it should have, I would have gladly paid twice the price. I'm going to call Gerber and see what they have to say. I hope they have found there error and have fixed it. But for 4" more steel, you go from a great tool to a waste of money. "

[Kayak Jack]

I understand and concur with tip speed. Same weight of an axe head on a short or long handle is a WHOLE different axe.

[tx river rat]

x2 on the longer blade , They make them from 12 to 22 inches I believe.
Size does matter longer is better
Ron

[tx river rat]

Just another note these are full tang knifes ,the one without the guard is the one I prefer
I have both
Ron

[Kayak Jack]

OK, I ordered an Ontario 18" saw back and sheath. If this thing doesn't dig a foxhole in under 2 minutes, I'm going to visit Ron.

[tx river rat]

Now Jack have I ever steered you wrong
Ron

[Kayak Jack]

Lessee, rocks in river, rising water over campsite, nope! Never. Was a good time, though.

I may have to add something to grip the backside of a saw edge for digging, ehh?

[a Bald Cypress]

Amazon has the 22" , sheath and fiskus sharpiner for 42 bucks.


Think i'll wait til the Christmas rush is over then order.

[Kayak Jack]

While Ronnie prefers the longer blade, I selected the shorter one. Actually, a couple of reasons. I don't do nearly as much bushwhacking as he does. I'm just not all that interested in that activity, nor its products. And, the 18" has a saw blade sharpened into the back side of the blade.

Hopefully, this tool will serve three purposes: bushwhacking, sawing, and digging. Though, my expectations are that the machete will dig about as well as an entrenching tool bushwhacks. Which is to say, neither tool is designed to do well at the other tool's primary function. And, we all know, there is nothing like having the right tool for the right job.

So, I'm spring loaded to the "we'll see" position.

Last night, an outdoorsman buddy of mine was telling about a Woods Pal, like what was recommended above. He liked it. Now has a machete that is too long. It requires too much energy to both accelerate and decelerate it - otherwise the carry through seemed excessive. And he's an experienced woodsman. So, again, we'll see.

[oldsparkey]

Keep all of us informed as to what your friend has to say so that with some luck we might become experienced woodsmen one day.

[Kayak Jack]

Sorry, in some cases, there is no hope.

[tx river rat]

Daqd burn Jack ,
22 inch is an advantage just in the reach and cutting, 18 inch will work. The saw will cut but you will find that it is easier to cut most stuff with a good swing of the blade. It will dig better than a trowel , it is about the same size area on the end of the blade, but it will do it much easier because of the leverage you have with the long blade. To protect your hand that is holding the blade just grab a towel wrap the blade and get after it.I havent found this necessary holding the dull side of the blade
Take note of this , if you have the one with out the guard take a piece of parachute card and tie threw the handle in a loop,slip your wrist into that when cutting just in case you loose your grip.
This rig is like the T-V it does everything at about 90 % and a lot at way better than the other tools. It will replace a hatchet, trowel , shovel,and is pretty good dispatching things you dont want to get to close to. Easy to carry and light compared to carrying all those other tools.
I think you will like it.
Ron

[tx river rat]

My woodsman Pal is rusting up in the shed someplace. I like knives as you know , it looked like a good tool so I bought one . Here is my experience with them.
There are to short, to heavy and the thickness of the blade doesnt work well they dont fit a sheath for ease of use.
A thick heavy blade sounds good but doesnt work well cutting, its made to chop not slice, I found the same problem with the bolo machetes ,like a hatchet it doesnt slice like a double bit axe.
All this stuff I have tried I need to have a garage sale.
I dont knock any off the above the Ontario just does a better job for me. Forty plus years of hunting fishing camping from the mountains to a beach the one tool that always goes is the onterio Machete.
Ron

[oldsparkey]

Sorry, in some cases, there is no hope.

I believe in miracles so hang in there Jack , there is hope for you after all.
Now about the rest of us , Well that is an entirely different case since we know what works for us in the areas we go to.

My Machete has a 24 inch blade with a 5 inch handle is is well over 50 years old and still going strong. The handle is riveted on the tang of the blade with three rivets. Good luck on finding one of that quality today.

By the way it does what a Machete is suppose to do ...... CUT......which it is quite good at.

[Darrells]

i bought an Ontario on Ron's recommendation and now I never leave without it. I even carry it in my truck when not paddling/camping. Ontario's are pretty much indestructable. I have never had any problem with rust as they as phosphate finish. It will cut, chop dig and more.