The 3 most traditional styles of machetes that are best for bushcraft applications are the kukri, condor, or the parang. The very best bushcraft Machete is an axe machete though. And we show our top 5, and there are a variety of styles. A machete is a tool that is primarily used for clearing brush or cutting down small trees out in the bush. You’re generally not thinking of your machete as being a defensive weapon in the bush, but any of our list of best bushcraft machetes would work just fine in a self defense situation.
What Would You Use a Machete For in the Bush?
As I mentioned, a machete is probably not going to be a defensive weapon, but rather just a tool for cutting wood and shrubs. A machete could be used for splitting wood, or cutting down trees, but its not the right tool for that. Your machete can take the place of an axe in the bush if it has to, but there are some jobs that are done better with an axe, and some that are done better with a machete. The Machete is the better tool for taking limbs off of branches, and clearing brush.
Top 5 Best Bushcraft Machetes
5. Schrade SCHKM1 Machete
It has a handle big enough for for accommodating two hands, and like most on this list has a black epoxy coating on the blade to help prevent rusting. I’m not a fan of the decorative holes cut in the blade. In a machete I want the extra weight in the handle for chopping, allowing me to use it like a hatchet. The holes in the blade take away from that chopping weight.
4. Kabar Kukri Machete
Kabar is famous for their military knives, but they did extremely well with this machete as well. This machete is built to last, and the Kukri style is fantastic for all your machete uses. Kabars come extremely sharp and well made. There was a time when they were having their blades made overseas, and quality went down, but they’ve come back to America, and have climbed back up our list to #4 for a bushcraft machete.
3. Cold Steel Machete
It’s THE cold steel. This Machete is your best bang for your buck. Its made from good quality steel, and can withstand a beating. I’ve used a few different Cold steel machetes, both for trimming trees, and have even hacked at some hardwoods, and it holds up well. The Cold Steel Kukri is good for this type of heavy duty work. They offer several models including the cutlass, a version styled after a Thai sword, and others.
2. Condor Golok
It’s made from 1075 Steel. It’s built well, American made, and features a full tang handle which adds to strength and durability. It also has a really nice walnut handle, which fits well in the hand and just looks really nice. The wooden handle and the high quality steel put this one ahead of the pack and is our go to pick if you’re going to need to use your machete both as a brush tool and a self defensive weapon.
1. Woodsman Pal 2.0
If you’re just looking to use your machete to clear brush, this is the one for you. In the bush, this is the one you want. Made from extremely high quality steel, this machete has a good chopping blade and the reverse side has a brush hook which is fantastic for limbing. As a tool, this machete is the very best. As a weapon, it lacks more of the defensive characteristics. If you’re just looking for a tool, this is what you want.
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