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View Full Version : Tramontina 16" Machete

perksy
07-06-2008, 04:04
A couple of months ago I began looking around for a cheap, but good quality machete. I have used many different styles of machete and choppers in my time and have always had good experiances with the Tramontina brand from Brazil. After a few calls to some local camping stores, all I had found was the cheap chinese crap that tends to break if you look at it the wrong way. I ended up calling our good friend Jdee and had a bit of a chat regarding Tramontina. Long story short he was able to get a few and sent me down the 16" Carbon steel, wood handle model on the condition that I do a honest review of the knife.

Some specs: Tramontina machete

16" Blade
Carbon steel
wood handle

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/P6180042.jpg

I have had this machete in my posesion now for about a month and have used it on several occasions for a number of cutting jobs and taken it on several trips. Overall it has performed well and has delivered just what I expected from a cheap, practical, nofrills, third world tool.

I have chopped and cut vines, grass, soft and hard wood and rope. I have split small to medium logs for fire wood and dug holes in sand and dirt. It has accomplished all these tasks with only a few small dings on the edge and a few sore spots on the hand. This machete is very different from the usual high end special steel knives we usually talk about, but I believe it has its place as a rough, tough, no nonsence tool which you can abuse and not shed a tear when you ding the edge or misplace it.

As most of you know I like my high end knives and have spent a decent amount on quality user knives. In general I always believe you should buy the best you can afford, however in the case of machetes, this is not the case. A machete by nature is a cheape disposable tool that should not be babied in any way, but then again you do not want something that is going to break or not handle the jobs it is designed for, this is where the Tramontina machetes shine, value for money and quality.

Testing pics:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina002.jpg

Two cuts.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina004.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina005.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina007.jpg
perksy
07-06-2008, 04:10
More chopping.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina008.jpg

Splitting (this was quite hard wood with knots.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina011.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b6/nickperks/tramontina012.jpg

Conclusion, great no frills tool at a price everyone can aford.

(Note: Sharpening was done with a file, I easily put on a working edge in about 15 minutes and gave it a once over every now and again)

If you recon you could use one of these tramontinas, contact Jdee at Rustic Forge.
southern bigfoot
07-06-2008, 04:10
good solid review for a good solid utilitarian tool. JDee will be stoked.
Stewart Townsend
07-06-2008, 06:03
Thanks Perksy.

Obviously it works well on Mulberry Trees, Frangipani Trees and some type of Native Ginger . :)
warrigal
07-06-2008, 06:06
Yes very good Perksy. Although might I suggest that in your search for non cheap and non crap blades, you might try extending your search to shops South of the Brisbane river.
I'm also wondering some of those shots seem to be in a back yard, was that a neighbour?
Because I'm surprised there is anything left to chop in yours.
Carl
TiNi
08-06-2008, 08:09
Is it a candidate for a 'convex type edge' ?
perksy
08-06-2008, 05:01
Most of those pics were taken in my perents back yard and yess there is very little to chop. That wasn't the native ginger I was cutting, just a hardish piece of branch I had found, believe me I did use it on a lot of hard wood when up the beach. I certainly could have used it where I went today, a lot more jungle and vine than I expected.

These machetes are definatly a candidate for mods such as a convex edge, you could also sand down and shape the handle for more comfort.
Stewart Townsend
08-06-2008, 06:02
perksy - I certainly could have used it where I went today, a lot more jungle and vine than I expected.



Secuteurs, not as cool as a machette but a lot quieter and just as effective, snip, snip.
Stewart Townsend
08-06-2008, 06:03
Perksy - I certainly could have used it where I went today, a lot more jungle and vine than I expected.



Secuteurs, not as cool as a machette but a lot quieter and just as effective, snip, snip.
Myron
08-06-2008, 08:39
Yes very good Perksy. Although might I suggest that in your search for non cheap and non crap blades, you might try extending your search to shops South of the Brisbane river.

Carl

...or more South WEST perhaps?? ha ha ha! You old goat! ;)
dhc4ever
09-06-2008, 03:03
Old goat eh, I dont think he'll answer to that very well.
I would think this tool would be an excellent choice for a convex edge. I eventially modified my ex army parang machete and it made an incredible difference in the way it cut. Unfortunately I didnt discover convex edges until AFTER I got out and had stopped useing it on exercises and deployments, still I dont get any lip from errant tree limbs in my yard these days.
Perksy, will JD let you modify the edge? or is it yours to play with?
Give it a convex edge and let rip with a before and after review, Ill even let you chop a few things in my yard if yours is bare of targets :)
Myron
12-06-2008, 04:38
Naa, we have a loving tit for tat relationship. Baaa! :p
b.c.molin
13-06-2008, 04:06
Any idea on the pricing of this machete please?:confused:
perksy
13-06-2008, 09:30
Mate, email Jdee for priceing, but I imagion around the $20 mark.
b.c.molin
13-06-2008, 02:00
Mate, email Jdee for priceing, but I imagion around the $20 mark.

Thanks ...oh and my 'bad' for not thanking you for a great review.

I hope some of your Busse knives get similar reviews :)
Jdee
16-09-2008, 01:47
Persky did a good job!

Price is $18.00 including postage.
TiNi
17-09-2008, 11:24
CCCCccccccccccc CRAZY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pricing ;)


..............i think i may need one GOD Dammit
Jdee
17-09-2008, 12:22
CCCCccccccccccc CRAZY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pricing ;)


..............i think i may need one GOD Dammit

Sorry to disappoint you - that's not crazy pricing. We have applied our usual margins.

What is crazy is the prices that others sell for.
b.c.molin
18-09-2008, 01:17
Sorry to disappoint you - that's not crazy pricing. We have applied our usual margins.

What is crazy is the prices that others sell for.

What would be crazy would be not to purchase one as soon as possible!!!;) :D
perksy
18-09-2008, 01:53
This is definatly a must have at $18. Even if you are not going to use it much, it makes a good blade to mod and fool about with.
TiNi
24-09-2008, 05:00
I meant to ask this in the begining.....................


SHEATH included ?
Jdee
25-09-2008, 06:44
No! You'd probably pick one up at army surplus to fit.
perksy
25-09-2008, 08:49
Mine is sporting a cardboard and duck tape sheath.
Waldganger
25-09-2008, 06:02
Mine is sporting a cardboard and duck tape sheath.

My battle mistress lived like that for quite some time....
Stewart Townsend
25-09-2008, 06:04
Mine is sporting a cardboard and duck tape sheath.

Hmmmmm, I should sell all my leather and leather work tools, cardboard and duck tape
Waldganger
25-09-2008, 06:18
its not flash, but by golly it works





and Duncan, I know you're watching...........
b.c.molin
29-09-2008, 04:53
Mine is sporting a cardboard and duck tape sheath.

JDee did such a fine job on the cardboard wrapping on mine I'll be using that as a sheath.;)

Has anyone else who has brought one recently measured the blade length as mine came in at exactly 400mm or 15 1/2 inches?:confused:

All up its amazing value for the small $'s involved!:)