It’s better like that cause each person who uses a machete puts there own edge with a file

Interesting. I hadn't heard of that before. Thanks!

Grew up in latin american country and in rural areas can confirm this

@@davidayarra3129 yessir also in some country’s in Africa they use them to dig dig and they say to not sharpen that top part where the have no edge the machete has it’s uses

I was recently in Walmart and looked at the "Ozark trails" brand machete. It was $5 and it didn't have any of the issues that these surplus ones suffered from. As far as steel strength and heat treat go, it would be fun to test them.

@@ironridgeoutdoors the "choil" is that way on purpose, people carry them at that spot. These aren't actually surplus, you're right in that they're seconds, FYI. :-) Also, a few things you claim were quality issues, they aren't. That's deliberate. The end user is supposed to sharpen them according to their intended use, and the wooden handled ones are made chunky specifically so that the end user can shape the handle to their hands. Also, the tips are left blunt on purpose, nobody cuts with the tip, and a sharp tip would get chipped/broken by hitting rocks, etc. . Machetes made in central and south America are made that way for legit reasons, check with some of the local machete users. :-)

where can i find venezuelan m,achetes ????

Not only were these unfinished, but they're bent, and have very uneven plunges. It's so much worse than just an unfinished edge. It's interesting you can't see that. Also, these are more expensive than the machetes that are available in every local store. Furthermore, the local ones include a sheath for that $5 price tag.

Sure, but if the company making these machetes are going to grind at all, they shouldn't do such a poor job of it.

@@ironridgeoutdoors Obviously the goal isn't to put a working edge on it. At least not at the lower end. The fit and finish also takes a hit at that price range.The steel on the authentic ones is very good. They will last a lifetime....I have numerous South American machetes.

Yeah, I took a look at those in last time I was at walmart. They look like they're better built.

I just bought a harbor freight one. I need to test it out and make a video comparison. Also bought a ozark trail one from Walmart. I'm excited to see which one is the best.

@@ironridgeoutdoors how did the billhook machete work for you? I found the warps from heat treatments didn't affect the usage at all and they hold up a TON better than the Ozark Trial and Harbor Freight ones.

It was more fun than it should have been. Brings out fond memories of camping when I was younger. It was the only time my old man would let me chop wood and hack at branches with his old machete and axe.

Interesting. Makes you wonder about all the made in America claims. How at how much of that is actually done here in the states.

Oh wow, that's interesting. I never thought that tools like this would be restricted, though it does make sense.

Haha yeah. I had hoped for a bit more in the quality department.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

i live in indonesia . and i love tramontina . they just fit in my area with green vegetation . i have some of their machetes . 24" latin . 20" panga , and the bolo . tough enough . but dont make it to sharp it can chip very easily

I don't shave with a machete. I use it for vegetation so a razor edge is inappropriate for the tool.

It's interesting that they come dull in other countries. The ones we buy here in the USA are all sharp. $5.50 is still a great deal!

Yes, I know full well how to sharpen an edge. Most machetes bought in the states come with working edges though, so that's what I'm accustomed to. Also, that doesn't excuse the poor craftsmanship on each of these blades. The burnt edges, uneven primary bevels and wavy blades are not present on the competition. A $7 Ozark trails machete from Walmart outshines these in every way.

These aren't unground. They have primary bevels and are lacking the secondary. That's not the problem though. The primary bevels on these are uneven, burnt, and inconsistent. $5 gets you an Ozark Trails machete that has well ground bevels, a sharpened secondary bevel, a better handle design, and a sheath. The steel on the Ozark Trails machete has proven itself in comparison to these Columbian ones as well.

The walmart machete performs just as well as these, has a straighter blade, finished bevels, better handle, sharpened edge and a sheath for $7. It represents a better deal than what these surplus machetes offer. I did a comparison video, go check it out.

I have found that Americans tend to expect tools to come from the factory ready to use. That still doesn't negate the fact that these are seconds, and are of sub par quality. A $5 machete from Walmart out performed these in every way for my uses.

You're right man, I'm not really big into machetes. What makes the orange one superior?

Thanks, I had no idea. Even without a final bevel to make it sharp, the grind lines on the primary bevel are still very crude on all of these.

@@ironridgeoutdoors yap, those machetes would last forever, trust me. Im from Honduras and my grandpa bougth machetes when he was young and still last to these days.

@@skully4464 that's awesome. I need to make some sheaths so I can carry them around.

Machetes sold for the American market always come sharp. And that still doesn't take away from the fact that these machetes had sloppy and poorly ground primary bevels when compared to more inexpensive offerings available locally.

Thanks, it is spelled "Colombian." I'll change the title.

Interesting opinion, thanks for sharing. With that said, just because they ship machetes with dull edges in other countries, doesn't negate the fact that when compared to machetes commonly available in America, they require additional work. I talked about how choking up on a thin, wide slab of steel is useless and simply uncomfortable if you have a well designed handle. So the 4-6 inch unsharpened choil is overkill and ridiculous. On top of that, the primary bevels are so unevenly ground, it is clear that whoever was grinding didn't take their time. If your opinion differs than mine, great. If everyone thought the same, this would be a boring world indeed. But to say I don't understand how a blade is used is simply arrogant, and incorrect. As an avid outdoorsman and bladesmith, I have a better understanding than most in the real of bladed tools. Cheers.

💯 percent comment. The maker of this video needs schooling. In the second half of the video his technique is dangerous.