It is our opinion that a machete or kukri is something that no gardener should be without. It’s hoped that this best machete and kukri reviews will show you why!
Firstly, it’s probably the cheapest and best stress-reliever on the market! Spend a little time clearing undergrowth or long grass in your garden after a hard day at the office and you’ll see what we mean! Once you’ve cut away that unwanted vegetation in those wild places of your garden, your blade can be used to chop it all up into smaller pieces for compost. The green matter will decompose much quicker if it has been cut up first.
It's also very handy for clearing away prickly vines like blackberries and brambles. The sharp blade will slash through them in next to no time. You’ll find your machete useful for clearing grass and weeds along fence lines or under shrubs or trees. Use it to cut away the smaller, lower branches of trees to allow more light through.
As long as you are careful, your machete or kukri is safe to use. Make sure to wear sturdy gardening shoes and long pants. Wear gloves if possible. Hold the machete or kukri in front of you as you cut, and keep your free hand out of the way.
This machete and kukri reviews post aims to help you find the best machete or best kukri for your gardening needs. We hope that with our help you’ll buy the best machete or kukri in the world for your tool shed!
What is a Machete?
Machetes are agricultural tools with big, heavy metal blades used for, among other things, cutting plants. They have been used in many parts of the world for hundreds of years. The best machetes have a blade that’s about the length and width of a man’s arm, and are very sharp. They are used mainly in countries with a tropical or sub-tropical climate where the vegetation grows fast and thickly. They’re used for clearing the excess vegetation, chopping it smaller, and even for felling small trees. They are used for clearing paths through the jungle or bush as well. Imagine how much you could use one in your garden!
Matchete
In forestry areas, once the trees have been felled with larger machines, machetes are used to strip the bark off the logs so they can be used in sawmills or for wood pulp. They’re often used on sugarcane plantations too for harvesting the crop, and also for clearing undergrowth in thickly forested areas. They have many other uses, such as cutting coconuts open, in which case they are wielded much like an axe. Machetes can be used for removing the side branches off small tree trunks to make poles for fences or stakes.
Many agricultural workers prefer using them to an axe as they are lighter and easier to sharpen. Unfortunately, in many tropical countries they are also used as weapons, but that is beyond the scope of this article.
What is a Kukri?
Kukri is a similar tool to a machete. It originates in Nepal. It also has a large metal blade, except the blade of the kukri is curved inwards. Some types are only slightly curved, while others are almost right-angled. The length of the blade varies depending on what it’s used for. The blade usually has a notch near the handle. Handles may be made of wood, bone, horn, or even ivory. Modern manufacturing methods make them with plastic or rubber handles too.
Kukri
Like the machete, the kukri is sometimes used as a weapon, but the more common use is for many kinds of everyday activities. These range from slaughtering animals for food, clearing brush in order to plant vegetable crops, harvesting the crops, and cutting up food. It is also sometimes used to chop firewood.
Best Machete Reviews for 2019
Products | Quality | Our Rating | Best Price Every Day |
|---|---|---|---|
A | |||
A+ | |||
Ontario Knife Company 6144 Military Machete - Retail Package, 18" | A | ||
A+ | |||
Condor Tool & Knife, Golok Machete, 14 in Blade, Walnut Handle with Sheath | A |
1. Gerber Gator Machete Nylon Sheath, Black [31-000758]
![Gerber Gator Machete Nylon Sheath, Black [31-000758]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61E5beRiMGL._SL1500_.jpg)
The 18-inch blade on this machete has been made with high carbon steel. The blade has been riveted to the handle to prevent the blade coming away from the handle. This machete is different from many others, because the blade has two different edges. One side of the blade operates as a saw, and has a serrated edge. The serrations are angled, so won’t “stick” in the wood as you saw. The other side has a sharp, fine edge that functions as a knife or axe. The blade is sharp when you purchase it, and it holds its edge very well. Despite the length of the blade, it is inflexible enough not to bend during use. The handle is black rubber, which is very comfortable in the hand. In total, the tool is 25.7 in long, and weighs just 18 oz. It comes with a limited warranty and a riveted nylon sheath to make carrying and storing the machete safe and convenient. This is probably the best machete for you if you are looking for one with a double edge.
2. Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete [31-002289]
![Gerber Bear Grylls Parang Machete [31-002289]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71OTj8yFC7L._SL1500_.jpg)
This amazing machete has an angled blade which is great for clearing away undergrowth or small branches. The blade has been manufactured from high carbon steel, which keeps its edge and is easy to sharpen when necessary. It is resistant to rust. The handle has been fashioned from textured rubber, which means that it is comfortable to hold and won’t slip in your hand even if it’s wet. There is a lanyard cord attached to the handle for slipping around your wrist when you’re using it. The cord can also be used to hang the knife up in the garden shed so that it’s out of reach of children. The machete comes with a mildew-resistant nylon cover and a manufacturer’s warranty. This is probably the best machete in the world for you if you’re a Bear Grylls fan!
3. Ontario Knife Company 6144 Military Machete - Retail Package, 18"
This military-grade machete is made in America by Ontario Knife Company, who have been making knives for about 70 years. This machete has an 18-inch-long straight blade made from high quality carbon steel. The handle is black molded plastic. It’s heavier than some of the other machetes we’ve looked at, which makes it ideal for cutting thicker branches, but more tiring to use for, say, cutting a lot of brush or long grass. These machetes are very well made and should last you a lifetime. This is one of the best machetes if you want something that has been made locally and are looking for one with a longer blade.
4. Tramontina Machete Wood Handle
This attractive machete comes with an 18-inch-long blade and a beautiful natural colored hardwood handle. The handle is extremely comfortable and fits nicely into your hand. If you’re not a fan of plastic handles, then this is the one for you. The blade has been riveted securely to the handle, preventing it from breaking. The blade is durable high carbon steel, and is very easy to sharpen if you just clamp it to your workbench and use a file. These machetes are made in Brazil, a country with a long history of machete use and manufacture, so you know you’re getting a quality machete. It does not come with a sheath. This is the best machete for you if you want a long-handled tool with no plastic in the construction.
5. Condor Tool & Knife, Golok Machete, 14 in Blade, Walnut Handle with Sheath
In our opinion, this is one of the best-looking machetes on the market. It has a beautifully finished walnut handle, which is a very comfortable shape to fit snugly into your hand. The 14-inch-long blade is made from high carbon steel, finished with a very attractive black epoxy coating. This machete is made in El Salvador by a German company, and is of a very high quality. This is possibly one of the best machetes in the world, but try it for yourself! It comes with a durable black leather sheath with a belt loop riveted onto it. This machete is heavy enough to use for chopping branches and small trees, and will become an indispensable part of your garden tool kit. Overall, it’s a great investment, and the best machete for you if you like something that is attractive as well as functional.
It is hoped that this best machete review has given you an idea of what machetes are on the market, and that it has helped you find the best machete in the world for your gardening needs.
Best Kukri Reviews for 2019
Products | Quality | Our Rating | Best Price Every Day |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | |||
A | |||
A | |||
A+ | |||
A |
1. Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri
This kukri has an ergonomically shaped handle made of black thermoplastic. The short, black, 11-inch blade is manufactured with carbon steel. The size and weight of this kukri make it ideal for clearing a place for your campsite, or clearing away brush and long grass in your garden. Use it for chopping wood or removing small branches too. It comes pre-sharpened, but can be sharpened to an even finer edge if you prefer. The price includes a very nice cordura and leather sheath. This may very well be one of the best kukri knives out there.
2. Cold Steel 97MKM Magnum Kukri
This kukri has a carbon steel blade with a black anti-rust finish. It comes with a fairly good sharp edge, but it should probably be sharpened even more once you have it. The blade is fairly long for a kukri (17 inches), making it a good option for slashing long grass and undergrowth. The handle is comfortable to hold, and is made of non-slip black plastic. A cordura sheath is included in the price. This is probably the best kukri knife is you want something longer.
3. Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete
This is a very affordable kukri, with a shorter 13-inch blade, made of carbon steel. It doesn’t arrive with a very sharp edge, but once it has been sharpened it will serve you well. Experts call it a “kukri-shaped machete”, so it’s a good combination of the two types of tool. The handle is polypropylene, which is a light, highly resistant resin. This kukri is very well balanced, so that the edge of the blade makes contact with whatever you are chopping at the correct angle with every stroke. This knife has been described as a real “workhorse”, meaning you’ll find it extremely useful for many different jobs in your garden. Use it for clearing weeds and brush, chopping branches, pruning shrubs, and even for cutting firewood. A sheath and manufacturer’s warranty are included in the cost. This is possibly the best kukri knife for you if you are on a limited budget.
4. Cold Steel Royal Kukri Machete - 97KMIGS
This kukri comes with a fully sharpened carbon steel blade, that has been coated with a baked-on rust resistant coating. Overall, it has an exceptionally well thought out design. The blade has a slightly different angle to some other kukris, and was designed to give exceptional comfort and ease of use. This blade will easily cut through saplings and smaller branches, and you’ll be able to use it to cut them up for compost afterwards. The polypropylene handle is shaped to the hand and gives a comfortable non-slip grip. The handle has also been designed to protect your fingers. There’s a hole in the handle for a lanyard if you like. A nylon sheath is included in the price.
5. 4007254 Cold Steel Kukri Machete with Sheath
The 13-inch carbon steel blade of this value-for-money kukri comes with a baked on matte black finish. This prevents rust. The blade is pre-sharpened, but you may want to put more of an edge on it once you get it home. The grip is comfortable, and the kukri feels well balanced in the hand. Because it is fairly short, it is great for chopping through branches or firewood. Overall, this is the best kukri knife if you don’t want to spend too much money, but want a kukri that will get the job done.
Conclusion
Once you have used a machete or kukri in your garden for a while, you’ll wonder how you ever did without one. Your machete or kukri do need to be handled with respect, as they are extremely sharp and effective. You’ll probably only need to sharpen the blade once each season, if you’ve bought a reasonably good quality one. Once you’ve seen how versatile one is for your gardening, you won’t want to be without one. We hope that this kukri review will help you find the best machete in the world (or best kukri knife) for your gardening needs.
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