While a hatchet could be a great alternative when it comes to chopping wood, it is only limited to hammering and cutting wood. The best machete for chopping wood is a versatile tool that can do more than just chopping wood.
The best machetes should be able to deliver straight and clean cuts. Furthermore, the blade edges need to be well balanced and crisp for that perfect cut. Keep reading to find the perfect machete that will boost your wood cutting efforts.
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1. Kershaw Camp 18 (1074) Camp Series Machete
- 18-inch fixed blade, full tang machete made with high-performance 65Mn steel and black powdercoat finish for unmatched hardness, strength and durability
- Excellent companion for use in camp, the backcountry, deep in a jungle, on a farm or in a zombie apocalypse
- Comfortably contoured, solid polymer handle wrapped in a textured rubber overmold for a secure grip in all conditions
- Molded sheath included with lash points and nylon straps for protecting the blade and easy carry
- 18-inches of pure hacking power for most hard-use applications such as clearing brush, stripping bark, removing tough vines, trail maintenance, and small tree removal
Kershaw's camp-18 machete is the company's largest and most powerful weapon. This blade makes stripping bark and cutting wood a breeze, and it makes all of your campground chores a breeze. Furthermore, if the unthinkable happens and a zombie assaults your camp, Camp-18 can handle it.
Its full-tang construction, which boosts its strength, is one of its prominent qualities. As a result, you'll never have to be concerned about it bending.
Image Source: Kershaw
Kershaw used 65Mn carbon steel for its blade and finished it with a black powder coat to ensure its durability. As a result, when using the camp-18 machete, rust and wear are the last things on my mind.
The handguard protects it from slipping when it's rainy, in addition to the curved handle that provides a comfortable grip. Kershaw incorporated a glass-filled nylon sheath with belt loops and gear straps to keep it secure. They also included a lanyard for enhanced portability.
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2. KA-BAR 2-1249-9 Kukri
- Made in: Taiwan
- Category name: machetes
- Made in USA or imported
- Black Kukri-style machete with carbon-steel blade
- Ideal for chopping weeds, clearing campsite, and more
The Ka-Bar Kukri is a great machete for chopping wood, clearing shrubs, and weeding. This machete is rather light, weighing only approximately 1.3 pounds, so you can get the work done without becoming tired.
For campers seeking a lightweight machete, this is the perfect alternative. The ergonomic TPR handle, in addition to being lightweight, offers the necessary grip.
As a result, even when it's pouring, you may firmly grasp this instrument without fear of it slipping from your grip. Because of its lightweight, you may simply carry it in your bag or on your belt and walk around with it.
Image Source: Ka-bar
Kukri machetes, however, aren't designed for cutting hardwood or removing dense foliage. So if you're always working with thick hardwood, this isn't the job for you. It may, however, make an excellent camping companion.
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3. Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe
- 18 inch blade is ideal for clearing thick brush, chopping roots, cutting branches and palms and more in your yard and garden
- Axe-like blade head provides powerful, controlled chopping and splitting
- Blade curve offers pull-cutting great for removing suckers and clearing vines
- Includes nylon carrying sheath
- Full lifetime warranty
The Fiskars 24-inch clearing machete is another excellent Fiskars machete on our list. The Fiskars 29 is a versatile tool that may be used in your backyard or at the camping to do a variety of chores.
Palms, tree branches, roots, and thick bushes may all be chopped with this blade. The Axe-like blade head allows for forceful and precise splitting and chopping. The blade curvature has made it easy to clear vines and eliminate suckers.
Image Source: Fiskars
Its ax-like head may be used to clear, cut, and chop wood in your backyard. It's also great for clearing bush because it's easy to use and has a reinforced handle. You can cut wood with one hand, unlike other ax-styled machetes.
This tool features a razor-sharp blade with its original edges and is corrosion-resistant. As a result, it will be able to serve you for a long period without being deformed. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, which is a plus.
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4. Gerber Gear 31-002076N Gator Bolo Machete 22 Inch
- Bolo machete with full tang construction
- Gator grip handle provides an amazing grip
- Lanyard for safety and security
- Overall length: 22.5 Inches, Blade Length: 15.5 Inches
- Nylon Sheath included
The Gerber Gator Bolo machete is a multi-purpose tool that may be used for a variety of tasks. This blade has a bolo machete design that has been modernized for current use, and sharpening is also made easy.
It includes an ergonomic handle form and a slip-resistant grip, allowing you to operate comfortably while maintaining complete control of the tool at all times.
This machete can remove vegetation in addition to chopping wood and clearing vegetation. It boasts a full tang construction that generates a lot of force with every swing.
Image Source: Gerber Gear
The machete is also made of Corrosion-Resistant 1050 Steel, which makes it rust-resistant and long-lasting even when exposed to rain and dampness on a frequent basis.
This machete comes with a nylon sheath to keep it safe and secure while not in use and D-ring attachments to attach it to your belt or bag. Its ergonomic handle form ensures a firm and tactile grip, giving you all the strength you need to tackle thick vegetation.
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5. Condor Tool & Knife, Pack Golok Knife
- 100% Leather
- Imported
- Crafted from the highest quality materials
- Built for performance and durability
- Made in El Salvador
Although this Condor product is more expensive than other machetes for cutting wood, it more than makes up for it with its unique characteristics like a leather sheath.
If you want to cut wood in a damp location, this machete could be appropriate for you. Its high-impact polypropylene handle ensures a secure grip even when your hand is sweaty or wet. Its blade is also stain and corrosion-resistant.
Image Source: Condor Tool & Knife
This heavy-duty machete has a 420HC stainless steel blade that can handle tough hardwood for an extended length of time without chipping or breaking. It's quite long-lasting, and it's sharp right out of the box.
The machete's full tang design makes it simpler to wield and more robust. The weighted end additionally increases the efficiency of the chopping operation by providing a lot of momentum.
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Machete Vs. Hatchet: What's the Difference?
Although a hatchet may appear to be the better instrument for chopping wood, you may not realize that the machete is the more adaptable alternative.
A hatchet is simply a few inches long, but a machete is often 10" inches long or more. You'll cover more ground when you use a machete instead of a hatchet to chop.
Also, unlike a hatchet, the machete is lighter, making it simpler to wield and carry. The machete will be the lightest alternative if you are traveling long distances or simply need to bring the bare essentials.
Types of Machetes
Machete-like tools spread all over the world. Each manufacturer adapts its design to the local conditions, making them real, local tools. The following are seven of the most common machete kinds.
1. Latin
When most Americans think of machetes, they think of Latin-style machetes prevalent throughout Latin America.
These are general-purpose machetes with blades that are uniformly weighted and have a straight back. They're best for removing green plants, although they can also do some cutting and splitting.
2. Kukri Machete
Kukris, also known as Gurkha blades, are enormous Nepalese all-purpose cutting instruments. They have a sharp tip for piercing, a large middle for chopping, and a thin part near the handle for more precise cutting.
Chopping firewood, butchering meat, cutting vegetables, opening cans, and other tasks are all done with them.
3. Bowie
The Bowie knife was named for the 19th-century American frontiersman Jim Bowie. It is popular with survivalists and outdoors people for its signature clip-point design, which makes it ideal for skinning wild game.
It is less weight-forward than other machetes, making it more agile in hand for slicing and chopping.
4. Panga
In Africa and the Caribbean, the Panga machete is popular. It has a straight cutting edge that slopes upward at the upturned tip to form a deep "belly."
The increased breadth gives a curve for slicing, while the front-loaded weight provides greater leverage for cutting. Pangas are skilled at chopping and slicing relatively thick, woody material.
5. Bolo
Bolo machetes are a type of agricultural implement that originated in Southeast Asia. They're ideal for harvesting narrow row crops like rice, peanuts, and soybeans because of the bulge at the tip that adds weight to the front of the blade.
For added cutting capacity, certain bolo machetes are partly sharpened on the reverse of the blade tip for a short distance.
6. Parang Machete
Like a scimitar, Parang machetes have a characteristic curved form with both the edge and spine of the blade curled.
They're usually lengthy, up to 36 inches long, and are either uniformly or somewhat forward weighted. The form makes it easy to slice or chop woody materials without becoming stuck in them.
7. Golok
The terms "golok" and "parang" are frequently interchanged. Though the golok is usually heavier and shorter, measuring between 10 and 18 inches in length, it has a similarly curved and hefty blade.
The core of the blade is the heaviest, and it flows away in an upturned tip. The shorter blade is ideal for working in dense bush and packing.
What Do You Consider Before Purchasing the Best Machete for Chopping Wood?
1. Material
Carbon steel, stainless steel, and high carbon stainless steel are the three materials used to make machete blades.
The conventional and effective material for machete blades is carbon steel. It is tougher and less costly than stainless steel, and it keeps its edge for longer, but it rusts easily and is difficult to resharpen.
Stainless steel is most commonly used for ceremonial and ornamental blades. It resists corrosion and requires less care than carbon steel, but it is softer, more costly, and more readily dulls.
High carbon stainless steel combines the advantages of carbon and stainless steel. It's rust-resistant and long-lasting, but it's pricey and has poor heat tolerance before brittleness.
2. Blade Length
The recommended blade length is at least 18 inches long. Shorter-bladed machetes may be adequate for light-duty activities, but they are ineffective for cutting through thick branches. Longer blades are best for chopping jobs that need a lot of power.
3. Blade, Sheath, and Handle design
Machete blades come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most important consideration is how effectively their weight is balanced against your body's strength. It doesn't matter how nice a blade looks if it isn't practical or pleasant to wield.
The blade edge will be protected by a sheath made of solid nylon or another robust material, which will keep it from chipping or rusting. When working outside, a belt loop on the sheath allows you to attach the machete around your waist for better access.
Even when it's pouring, or your hands are sweaty, the perfect handle should be built of materials that provide a strong grip. For example, handles made of rubber and polymer give a good grip without wearing out too quickly. Wooden handles are long-lasting, but they absorb moisture and make it difficult to grip the machete properly.
4. Weight
The best machete for chopping wood should be lightweight to move effortlessly while still being hefty enough to cut through thick branches with ease. A full-tang design is preferred since it helps distribute weight properly throughout your body.
5. Other Features
Machete makers frequently include features such as saw teeth on the reverse of the blade, serrated edges, and a compass in their products. These features may be beneficial, but they can also add to the device's weight and cost. The best machete for chopping wood is one that matches your individual needs while also providing decent value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Chopping Woods
1. Are machetes good for cutting wood?
A machete is more powerful than you may think. It may be the ideal instrument to keep on hand for splitting wood for campfires with proper technique.
2. Can you chop a tree with a machete?
Machetes are ideal for trimming and clearing woody vegetation, as well as snedding — the removal of side branches from a tree's main trunk.
