Panga Machete – Used From Africa to the Caribbean

The Panga machete is one style of 11 popular types of machetes on the market today. This article is part of a series in which we try to explain which is the best machete for different uses by comparing all types. Make sure you also check out the Kukri, Parang, Golok, Bowie, Latin, Billhook, Cane, Barong, Bolo and Tapanga machetes in order to have a complete view of all that’s out there.

What is a Panga Machete?

Panga Machete is sometimes known as the African Machete or Caribbean Machete. The term “Panga” is derived from a Swahili word meaning, “Big Knife.” It is characterized by a distinctive, upswept curved shaped with a slanted tip.

The deep belly of the machete gives immense power, making it ideal for chopping thick and woody vegetation. In the Caribbean, Panga machetes were used as weapons. Panga machetes can also be used as a survival machetes and are a perfect tool for felling small trees and clearing thick brush. These machetes come in different blade lengths and thickness depending on the intended use.

What Are The Best Panga Machetes On Amazon?

Cold Steel Panga Machete

The Cold Steel 21-inch Panga Machete is styled after the standard machete for the entire African continent. The machete is perfect for chopping down saplings, cutting thick brush and small trees. It comes with a sturdy, ultra-sharp blade that is forged with 1055 carbon steel for maximum strength, durability and excellent corrosion resistance properties.

The blade boasts a tough spring and is surfaced with a black, baked-on anti-rust finish to further enhance its resistance against moisture and humidity. With a blade length of up to 16 inches, this machete can make a perfect tool for clearing long woody vegetation and thick brush without worrying about injuring yourself. The machete is relatively lightweight for its length meaning that it is still fun to swing.

The length of the machete should match your height and not the point where you intend to cut. If you are tall, the Cold Steel 21-inch Panga Machete will make your work easier and quicker. You will not have to stoop over or crouch to make cuts at the ground level.

The Cold Steel 21-inch Panga Machete comes with a highly durable, polypropylene handle to ensure a comfortable and firm grip. The handle is shaped in a way that it will not slip out of your hands easily. The Cold Steel Panga Machete is also rugged enough to resist breaking, chipping or cracking; making it a perfect option for those looking for a long lasting machete.

The lanyard hole on the handle allows you to hang the machete safely in your garage when it is not in use.

Pros & Cons of the Cold Steel 21-inch

Pros

• The blade has a tough spring and is surfaced with a black, baked-on anti-rust finish for enhanced resistance against moisture and humidity
• The blade is forged with 1055 steel making it tough, durable and easy to sharpen
• The machete is styled after the standard machete for the entire African continent
• The machete can be used for chopping down saplings, cutting thick brush and small trees
• Rugged enough to resist breaking, chipping and cracking making it even longer lasting
• Durable, polypropylene handle that is specially designed for a comfortable, secure grip

Cons

• The machete does not come with a sheath
• The blade comes dull and you must sharpen it after purchase to regain an ultra-sharp edge

Cold Steel 97LPMS Panga Machete

If you are looking for an affordable and long-lasting Panga machete, the Cold Steel 97LPMS Panga Machete is a perfect option. The machete is forged with the 1055 carbon steel for enhanced toughness, durability and incredible sharpness. The blade is further surfaced with a black baked on Anti-Rust Matte Finish for enhanced resistance against moisture and humidity.

The thick, extra-long blade and heavy tip give you extra chopping power. The long blade also ensures that you have a great deal of range for additional safety while clearing thick or woody vegetation. The strong and sharp blade makes the Cold Steel 97LPMS Panga Machete ideal for a wide range of outdoor tasks, including chopping small trees and cutting through brush. The machete is specially molded after the standard machete in the entire continent of Africa.

The Cold Steel 97LPMS Panga Machete has a strong, long polypropylene handle designed to give you a comfortable, secure grip. The machete comes without a sheath. Overall, the old Steel 97LPMS Panga Machete is a well-designed machete with excellent features and capabilities that you get even in the most expensive machetes on the market. If you are looking for a machete with superior steel and are tired of having to pay more for a decent sheath, the Cold Steel 97LPMS Panga Machete could certainly work for you.

Pros & Cons of the Cold Steel 97LPMS

Pros

• Molded after the standard machete in the entire continent of Africa
• Has a strong, long polypropylene handle, designed to give you a comfortable, secure grip
• The 2mm thick blade makes the machete ideal for chopping small trees and cutting through brush
• The blade is made with tough 1055 carbon steel for maximum toughness, durability and long lasting sharpness
• It is easy to sharpen with a stone and retains its sharpness for long
• Also comes with a tough spring and is surfaced with black baked on Anti-Rust Matte Finish for enhanced resistance against moisture and humidity
• It retails at a ridiculously affordable price

Cons

• The machete comes with no sheath
• The blade comes dull and requires sharpening after purchase

Caribbean 21.5 Inch Panga

The Caribbean 21.5 Inch Panga Machete has a design that unique for Africa and the Caribbean. The machete has a deep belly which provides weight for slicing and chopping. The blade is made with tough carbon steel, giving the machete excellent rust and corrosion resistance properties and strength to do the toughest cutting tasks.

The carbon steel blade is harder than stainless steel blades and is able to retain its sharpness for a longer period than any other type of steel. The blade has coat protection that is visible, thus helping the blade not to get rust. The machete features a full tang construction for enhanced durability and sturdiness.

The handle is made with two pieces of wood that are riveted together through the tang to form a strong and firm handle. The handle is shaped in such a way that it won’t slip out of hand while in use. The Caribbean 21.5 Inch Panga Machete comes complete with a durable green rice sack sheath with a belt loop ring for easy storage and transportation.

Pros & Cons of the Caribbean Panga Full Tang Machete

Pros

• Has a deep belly which provides weight for slicing and chopping
• The blade has coat protection that is visible, thus helping the blade not to get rust
• Has a design that is popular in Africa and the Caribbean
• Comes complete with a durable green rice sack sheath with a belt loop ring
• The carbon steel blade retains its sharpness for a longer period than any other type of steel
• Full tang construction for enhanced durability and strength
• The wooden is triple riveted for enhanced durability

Cons

• The handle wooden is not as durable as handles as other top-rated machetes
• There is no lanyard hole
• The blade should be sharpened immediately after purchase to achieve an incredibly sharp edge

United Cutlery UC2819 Colombian Panga

The United Cutlery UC2819 Colombian Panga Machete is what warriors turn to when taking on the jungle of Colombia. This Colombian machete is excellent for hackling through toughest trees and vines. With a blade length of up to 15 inches, you can safely clear long or thick brush without worrying about injuring yourself. The blade is made with black coated stainless steel for an ultra-sharp cutting edge. It is easy to sharpen with a stone and has a razor-like cutting edge.

The full tang protrudes into the handle giving for maximum strength and durability. The machete has an injection-molded handle that provides a comfortable hand grip. The United Cutlery UC2819 Colombian Panga Machete comes complete with a looped cord wrist lanyard that ensures it will not stray far. It also includes a molded black nylon belt loop sheath for easy storage and transportation.

Pros & Cons of the United Cutlery UC2819 Colombian Panga

Pros

• Has an injection-molded handle that provides a comfortable hand grip
• Includes a molded black nylon belt loop sheath for easy storage and transportation
• Excellent for hackling through toughest trees and vines
• Full tang construction for enhanced strength and durability
• The machete comes complete with a looped cord wrist lanyard that ensures it will not stray far
• The lanyard hole allows you to hang the machete safely in your garage when it is not in use

Cons

• It is highly cumbersome to get the blade in and out if you are wearing it
• The blade requires to be sharpened frequently to retain its sharp cutting edge

Imacasa 22-Inch Panga

The Imacasa 22-Inch Panga Machete is a classic, heavily weighted machete that is perfect for clearing thick brush or chopping woody vegetation. The machete is specially designed to excel in industries such as construction, agricultural and gardening.

The blade is made with the 1075 High Carbon Steel for maximum toughness, durability and incredibly long-lasting sharpness. It is further surfaced with a black finish for added resistance against moisture and humidity. The machete has three grooves in the base of the blade that increases flexibility.

The Imacasa 22-Inch Panga Machete has a durable natural color wood handle that provides a comfortable, secure grip. The handle has three rivets to enhance its durability. In addition, it is shaped in such a way that it will not slip out of hand while the machete is in use. The Imacasa 22-Inch Panga Machete is not aesthetically pristine and may have a minor blemish that is not considered defective. It comes with no sheath.

Pros & Cons of the Imacasa 22-Inch Pnaga

Pros

• The blade is made with 1075 high carbon steel for maximum toughness, durability and long lasting sharpness
• Has a durable natural color wood handle that provides a comfortable secure grip
• Has three grooves in the base of the blade that increases flexibility
• Heavily weighted making it perfect for tough cutting tasks
• Has an extra-long blade length making ideal for clearing thick brush and woody vegetation
• The machete is specifically designed to excel in industries such as construction, agricultural and gardening

Cons 

• The machete has no sheath

Condor Tool & Knife Viking 20-Inch Panga Machete

The Condor Tool & Knife Viking 20-Inch Panga Machete comes with a blasted satin finish high carbon steel that is annealed and heated treated to approximately 50-55 Rockwell hardness. The blade edge is hand finished and polished to razor sharpness.

The Condor Tool & Knife Viking 20-Inch Panga Machete has a smooth walnut wood handle that is known for its beautiful dark appearance and durability. The sheath of the machete is made from high quality, heavy duty and handcrafted leather.

Pros & Cons of the Condor Tool & Knife Viking 20-Inch Panga

Pros

• Has a smooth walnut wood handle that is known for its beautiful dark appearance and durability
• The sheath of the machete is made from heavy duty and handcrafted leather
• The cutting edge is polished, and hand finished to razor sharpness
• The blade is heat treated to approximately 50-55 Rockwell hardness
• Built for performance and durability
• The extra thickness and length make the machete ideal for the toughest cutting tasks

Cons 

• The machete requires sharpening before initial use

Swamp Master Machete

The Swamp Master is machete that is perfect for chopping and cutting green vegetation. The blade is made with high carbon steel with an orange finish for outstanding strength and excellent rust and corrosion resistance properties. With an 18-inch long blade length, you can use this machete for clearing brush and cutting woody vegetation without worrying about injuring yourself.

The Swamp Machete has a durable natural wooden handle that provides a comfortable and firm. The handle is shaped in a way that the machete will not slip out of hand while in use. The full tang construction further enhances the durability and strength of the machete.

Pros & Cons of the Swamp Master Machete

Pros

• The blade is made with High Carbon steel and has an orange finish for an outstanding strength and rust resistance properties
• Natural wooden handle for a firm and comfortable grip
• Extra-long blade making it ideal for clearing thick brush and cutting woody vegetation
• Full tang construction

Cons 

• The machete does not come with a sheath