How To Choose The Best Survival Machete On The Market? 5 Top Picks

A machete is a tool that can perform just as efficiently as survival knives and hatchets. So the next time you’re going on a hunting or camping trip, consider carrying the best survival machete. And not just for camping, the best machete on the market is also used for agricultural purposes.

Many farmers have a habit of carrying machetes to the fields. And that’s because these invaluable tools are extremely versatile. They can be used to harvest crops and hack away grass. A survival tool like a machete is also widely used to build makeshift shelters or paths. Especially when you’re living or camping in the forest.

So if you want to get your hands on the best machete for chopping wood or any other survival related purposes, then please keep reading. I have tons of valuable information to offer. You will also find a list of the best all round machete. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Quick Comparison: Top 5 Best Survival Machete

Preview

Product

Our Rating

Price

Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri

Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri

Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath

Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath

Gerber Gator Machete JR

Gerber Gator Machete JR 

(Our Choice)

Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete

Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete

Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete Survival 10-Inch 1095 Carbon Sawback Blade, Cordura and Leather Sheath

Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete Survival 10-Inch 1095 Carbon Sawback Blade, Cordura and Leather Sheath

* Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see customer reviews and current prices on Amazon.com

Features of the best survival machete

best-survival-machete

The best machete on the market is ranked the highest for a reason, right? Because there’s always some feature or quality that divides the best from the average. But in the case of survival machetes, you will find not some but many features that are responsible for their effectiveness and popularity.

1. Weight

You should know that the heavier the machete, the easier it will be to chop off thick branches. So it’s crucial to keep the weight of the survival tool in mind. But for lengthy camping or hunting trips, you might need a lighter option.

2. Sharpness

After all, a machete is nothing but a knife. So what’s the point of buying a knife that doesn’t stay sharp? The best all round machete on the market will always remain sharp. And even if that doesn’t happen, it’s built in such a way that sharpening it doesn’t seem like such a difficult task.

So if you can’t afford to buy a machete that costs too much due to its exceptional sharpness, there’s no need to panic. You can always purchase the best affordable model with a sharpener.

How To Sharpen a Machete​?

3. Length

The longer the machete, the heavier it will be. And such a machete doesn’t require more than a single swing to cut. But this comes at a price. A longer machete’s hard to carry on the hip. This kind of a length doesn’t make the survival tool suitable for hiking purposes.

4. Material

There are two types of blades used for a machete. One is made of steel and the other of carbon. The latter may be tougher with some extra strength, but it is also more susceptible to rust. While the former is more resilient against damage or rust. But it’s not considered to be as sharp as carbon.

So what do you do in such cases? Should you opt for the steel or carbon model? The best machete on the market is built with a combination of both steel and carbon. So you get your hands on a strong, sharp, and resilient survival tool.

5. Sheath

best-survival-machete

A knife and its sheath are like you and your best buddy. But the connection is even stronger here because a sheath can protect you in ways your best friend can’t. You cannot leave your machete uncovered when not in use. Otherwise, the sharp edges of the knife might end up causing harm to your body or the machete itself might get damaged.

Also, when you’re camping or hunting in a humid region, a sheath will help in resisting moisture in a much better manner. So make sure that the sheath is sturdy enough. And also ensure that it’s made of a synthetic material.

Ray Mears Demonstrations – Hot to Use a Machete Properly​?

Preview

Product

Our Rating

Price

Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri

Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri

Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath

Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath

Gerber Gator Machete JR

Gerber Gator Machete JR 

(Our Choice)

Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete

Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete

Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete Survival 10-Inch 1095 Carbon Sawback Blade, Cordura and Leather Sheath

Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete Survival 10-Inch 1095 Carbon Sawback Blade, Cordura and Leather Sheath

The best survival machete list: 5 top picks

1. Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri

Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri

The Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri machete has a length that makes it perfect to carry for extended hunting and camping trips. It has a blade built with a combination of steel and carbon. This helps in making the Ka Bar machete exceptionally strong. And when the blade is so strong, unearthing undergrowth or chopping wood with it becomes an easier task.

You will also be glad to know that the Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 Kukri machete has a handle constructed of thermoplastic. Do you know what this does? It prevents your hand from slipping even when it’s sweating.

This Ka Bar machete has a full tang style handle. You will appreciate such a feature given how safely it connects the blade of the machete to the handle.

We Like

  • The handle comes with a small hole through which you can loop a rope to tie the machete to your hip.
  • The head of the blade is heavier, so you don’t need to apply excessive force.

We Don’t Like

  • The sheath of the machete is of poor quality.

2. ​Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath

Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath

The Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath is another survival machete on the market. It has a very appealing design that boasts a high-quality combination of steel and carbon along with an epoxy powder finish.

What this does is help in dealing with unmanageable bushes, undergrowth cutting, gathering firewood, and saplings. 

But that’s not even the best part about the Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath. The most striking feature of this best survival machete is the hardwood curved design of the handle.

The back side of the rigid blade doesn’t end up getting stuck in wood while chopping. And we all know how annoying this can be when we’re trying to get work done in the most efficient manner.

On top of that, the Condor Tool and Knife 14-Inch Golok Machete with Leather Sheath comes with soft replaceable pads to avoid injuries. So there’s no shortage of safety and comfort when using this blade.

We Like

  • The handle of the blade has a rough texture to provide an excellent grip.
  • The blade is exceptionally sturdy and thick.

We Don’t Like

  • The machete has a very narrow shape.

3. Gerber Gator Machete JR (Our Choice)

Gerber Gator Machete JR

The Gerber Gator Machete JR is the survival machete on the market but with a different design. It performs pretty efficiently as a machete even with a saw built at the other end of the blade.

In fact, the Gerber Gator Machete JR ranks the highest in performance. Activities, like sawing wood in half and even chopping it, can be performed quite easily with this invaluable tool.

The length of the Gerber Gator Machete JR is perfect not to cause inconvenience of any kind. The blade has a functional steel and blade combination.

This helps in adding more strength and resilience to the whole experience. And as far as the handle of the knife is concerned, there is nothing to worry about. The use of rubber in the construction of the handle makes it slip resistant with maximum control and comfort. 

We Like

  • The sheath of the blade has a useful belt attachment.
  • The machete has a firm grip that delivers sufficient traction.

We Don’t Like

  • The blade is a tad too thin for heavy-duty purposes.

4. Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete

Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete

The Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete has an inwardly curved design with a wide midsection and pointed tip. This makes the tool perfect for cutting through everything.

In fact, it is so robust and sturdy that you can slice, crush, whittle, or dig anything with this machete without causing a single dent. One of the best qualities of the Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete is the fact that it is rust resistant.

The five-inch wide grip handle makes it easy and efficient to carry this survival tool. Being in possession of the Cold Steel 97KMS Kukri Machete is like having another right hand. It helps in providing the much-needed protection when you’re hunting or camping in deserted areas.

The best part about the blade is that it is comparatively heavier in the front region. This can go a long way in keeping the machete’s edge at an angle that tends to boost bite with a single stroke.

We Like

  • The curved design of the blade improves cutting ability.
  • The machete is heavy enough to destroy stuff but not too heavy to carry around for longer hours.

We Don’t Like

  • The steel of the blade is soft and becomes dull in no time.

5. Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete Survival 10-Inch 1095 Carbon Sawback Blade, Cordura and Leather Sheath

Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete Survival 10-Inch 1095 Carbon Sawback Blade, Cordura and Leather Sheath

A high-end machete, the Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete is widely used by military men along with campers and hikers. The weight and length of this best all round machete are perfect for chopping, cutting, and hacking everything. The blade has the capability to destroy anything that comes its way.

The most striking part about the Ontario 8335 SP8 Machete is the way it’s designed. There is a saw built at the top portion of the blade. While the tip of the machete boasts a chisel or prying tool. This is what an invaluable and versatile tool looks like, isn’t it? 

As a survivalist, you will be ecstatic to know that the blade has a full tang design constructed of steel and carbon. That means you get more sharpness and durability while carrying out heavy-duty tasks.

We Like

  • The thickness of the blade makes it perfect to split bigger logs.
  • With the machete, the connection made is more consistent due to its longer and sharper edge.

We Don’t Like

  • The grind of the blade is a tad too steep.

The choice is all yours

I have made it a point to list each and every best survival machete on the market. So the ones mentioned in the article are versatile, sturdy, and multipurpose survival tools that every outdoor enthusiast should own. And if you’re looking for the best all round machete, then opt for the Gerber Gator Machete JR.

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The Gerber Gator Machete JR comes with a fine edged blade that makes chopping wood or any other material easier on the hand. It is built with high-quality carbon and steel to be able to clear shooting lanes and foliage efficiently.

This combination also adds more resilience and strength to the whole experience. The hack saw on the far end of the blade is solely constructed to deal with heavy-duty materials like tough wood.

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