SitePro 17-CROC22-W 22" Martindale Machete with Wood Handle

Good handle grip, good weight, not too heavy, but not a lightweight.

I own quite a few machetes, and knives. I have a Youtube channel that reviews them... and own machetes by Condor Tool and Knife, Ontario, Aranyik, and more. I decided to pick this one up on a recommendation... and this was the best price on the internet. However this is a machete that is not sharpened. Not to be confused with dull, or sort of sharp- but as in- no usable edge under any circumstances. The "edge" of the blade is about 1mm or wider down the length of the blade. There is nothing in wrong with that in theory- other than the product description should clearly state this. If you do want to buy this, if you don't have a sharpening system that runs on electricity (belt sander, work sharp, etc)... expect to spend hours and hours setting the edge by hand with a file, and some stones. The handle is similarly kind of chunky, and a little oversized for the tang... expect to have to sand it down too. The reason I give it two stars, is because you can buy a similar cheap Imacasa, Ontario, and condor machetes, that already have a usable edge on them. If this was a machete with even a dull but easily workable edge, then it would be 4 or 5 stars. So as is, for just the average user buy something else- unless you can take it somewhere to have the edge set professionally for only a few bucks.

I've been using these for years. And they will last for years. If you don't forget them on site. Be aware they do come raw. This is the first wood handle I have parched. I would say it is not worth any extra money. They are just as unrefined as the plastic ones. You will need to sand them or I like to wrap my handles with grip tape.It takes a great working edge fast and can hold it well. For me that means a file, I have never stoned a machete or a bush-axe. If I know I am going to be cutting a lot any given day I'll hit it with the file. Otherwise, with just general cutting for topo, I'll just file it on Monday morning may be a re-touch midweek.

Preface: I like sharpening edged tools and tweaking my gear to fit my use case.This machete has no edge on it. The one I received had a nearly 1/8th inch flat spot where the edge should be, and just the barest suggestion of a grind. Now, I don't mind spending some time sharpening, and I prefer to put my own edges on most tools right out of the box, but this machete comes with literally no edge. Be prepared with a nice fresh stock removal file and an hour or so to get it down to an actual edge if you plan on buying this product.

best machete you can buy

Martindale are working tools not youtube machetes. They are made from hot rolled steel AND NOT CORRECTED FOR STRAIGHT NESS. The subtle warp that may appear is easily fixed in a vise but. It does not take hours with a file, that review is just out there. A medium file and a fine file is all I use to do the blades, you don't need power.These are a softer steel and will roll instead of chipping out like "fancy brands" with hard steel. Martindale is the brand if you really want a working tool. If you want a good looking machete to do youtube with go elsewhere. You can plan on shaping handle to fit your hand. Everything about these comes in the rough to make it as suits the user. This is not bad, this what working people often prefer. So if you have basic tools (files, saw rasp, sand blocks) and feel like doing up your own you'll have a great tool. Just don't buy this thinking you'll just head out back to set up the camera and play bushcraft

Reviews said this came with only a primary grind and would be quite dull, and that the handle would be clunky and in need of shaping. Totally fine by me as it is made of supposedly high quality steel, but nobody mentioned that the thing would show up and be as crooked as a politician! It is so crooked that I suspect that it is a Chinese garbage knockoff, and will be returning it as I am in the market for a blade that will keep an edge, and last a lifetime. Price was certainly too good to be true, and I should have known better, but that doesn't change the fact that this seller is peddling garbage on Amazon labeled as something that it likely is not. I will be calling Martindale directly to find out what's what, and will remove the negative review in the future if it is warranted.