To answer this question correctly, you need to consider some primary factors. First, you need to know what machete style works well with your needs. You also need to know what the best machete brands for brush clearing are. Once you have all this, you are all set to finding the best machete for clearing brush.
But if you are not only interested in machetes for clearing brush, we’ve got your back! This post is only one part of a series of articles meant to show you all you need to know about machetes and their uses. Thus, you can go further and get informed about the overall best machete or the best survival machete in order to have a complete view of all that’s out there.
In this article, we will discuss in details all you need to know about best machete for brush clearing. We will give you some valuable tips on how to choose a perfect machete for heavy brush clearing and recommend the 6 best machetes for Brush Clearing on Amazon. Here are some important details you need to know before deciding which machete is the best for brush clearing.
What Are the Best Types of Machetes for Clearing Brush?
First, you need to know what kind of vegetation you will be using your machete on. This is because the world’s vegetation varies and the different types of machetes are best suited for the work required of them. This explains why there are many differences in machete size, weight and shape.
In addition, machetes have different names and styles that are linked to where they originated. Some styles are ideal for certain types of work than others, but as to which machete is best, is extremely subjective. However, here is a rundown of best known machetes for clearing brush in the world.
Types of Machetes Optimal for Clearing Brush
Parang Machetes
The Parang machetes are believed to have originated from Indonesia and gradually spread to the rest of the world. Parang machetes are highly preferred for cutting through thick vegetation. Due to their significant length and curved shape, these machetes are quite effective when it comes to slicing through even the thickest vegetation.
Some Parang machetes are more weighted to provide greater momentum during strokes, while others are specially designed for moving via lighter vegetation. Parang machetes have a thicker blade, which makes them an ideal option for chopping woody vegetation. Parang machetes are also referred to as Bedog
Bush/ Latin-Style Machetes
Bush machetes also known as Latin-Style machetes. They came from Latin America and are specifically designed to be lightweight, highly portable, easy to use and capable of cutting green vegetation. Bush machetes have a popular straight blade that ensures that the machete is well balanced and can be easily sheathed. Their blades are usually elongated with a length ranging from 12 to 24 inches. The blade is also thick making them an ideal for clearing brush.
Billhook Machetes
The Billhook machete originated from Europe and Asia. They are forged from high carbon steel for maximum strength, durability and long lasting sharpness.
Billhook machetes were traditionally used by workers to clear brush, cut around trees and objects or shedding, the process of removing side shoots and buds from branches.
Billhook machetes are recognizable by a sharpened inner curve and a hooked blade. They are ideal of cutting, gripping and chopping. Their handles can be made of wood, metal or plastic depending on what the machete will be used for as well as the amount of grip that is needed.
Panga Machetes
The word Panga is a common in Africa and is also the name used to refer to a machete in most parts of the world. The Panga machete has a design close to that of the Parang machetes, except that they are straighter and thicker. They were traditionally used for chopping through moderately wooded, thick vegetation. Panga machetes are characterized by blades that have all the weight towards the front to them to easily chop woody plants and trees. They also have an extreme point at the front for incisions.
Heavy Machetes
Heavy machetes are characterized by a large cutting blade that has all the weight towards the front of the machete. This gives them amazing chopping power. Heavy machetes re commonly used to clear heavy brush as well as perform some agricultural tasks.
Bolo Machetes
The Bolo machete originated from the Philippines and were first used in the Philippines, Cuba and Indonesia before spreading to Western countries. They feature a large, elongated blade that curves ad widens to provide the much needed momentum for cutting and chopping thick plants and trees.
Bolo machetes also feature a true spear point that is versatile in the sense that you can use it for cutting down a whole tree or breaking coconuts. They also come with a full tang for maximum durability and strength.
How to Choose the Best Machetes for Clearing Brush?
To choose the best machete for clearing brush you need to consider some key factors. Here are valuable tips on how to choose the best machete for brush clearing:
Tip 1: Know the Type of Vegetation You Intended to Use the Machete On
The first step to choosing the best machete is to determine the kind of vegetation you intend to use the machete on. Brush can be classified into broad categories: Grassy Brush and Wood Brush.
- Grassy or Thin Brush
If you will be clearing thin or grassy brush, you do not require a machete with a weighted blade. A lightweight machete works well on such vegetation without straining your arms and shoulder. A light machete is also advantageous as it allows you to work for longer periods of time. For added convenience, go for a machete that is sharpened on both sides.
- Thick or Woody Brush
If you will be clearing woody or thick brush choose a machete with a wide belly near its blade tip. Where possible, go for one whose wide blade is coupled with a curved tip to allow you to slice through vegetation with minimal effort. The wide blade adds weight to the machete so that it creates more impact as it cuts. Even though the weighted blade takes some effort out of the physical chopping, enough strength is still needed to wield the hand tool safely.
Tip 2: Go for the Right Blade Length
Machetes comes in a large variety of blade lengths from as short as 12 inches to as long as 24 inches or more. Thus, you need to determine which blade needs works well with your needs. However, you may want to choose a long blade while cutting brush as the length prevents your hands from getting easily cut. A long blade also provides leverage to clear large swaths at one time so that one area of vegetation does not need to be chopped repeatedly.
Tip 3: Consider the Thickness of the Blade
Machetes come in different levels of blade thickness. Most machetes have a relatively thin blade measuring approximately 1/8 inches in thickness. This makes them relatively lightweight giving you more control while still providing enough momentum needed to cut through thin or grassy brush. The only shortcoming of thin blades is that they can break easily when used to cut tough, woody brush and vines.
Other machetes, such as KA-BAR Grass Machete come with thicker blades of up to 1/4 inches in thickness. These blades are specially meat for heavy duty chopping works. Although they are stronger than thin blades, thick blades tend to be more difficult to control.
Tip 4: The Machete’s Style Matters Too
As discussed earlier, different types of machete serve different purposes. For clearing brush, you should avoid Kukri and Barong machetes as these cannot cut through thick vegetation easily. You may want to consider heavy duty machetes, such as Bolo, Panga or Parang. These machetes are specifically designed for cutting through heavy vegetation.
Tip 5: Check the Construction Materials
There are three major types of construction materials used to make machetes: carbon steel, high carbon steel and stainless steel. Each of these three materials has its own pros and cons when it comes to a machete for clearing brush as discussed below:
- Carbon Steel: Blades made from carbon steel are stronger and tend to maintain a sharp cutting edge for long. However, since carbon steel is strong, they are usually harder to sharpen. Carbon steel blades can also rust easily and will require to be oiled regularly. Carbon steel blades are ideal for clearing thick or woody brush.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel blades have excellent rust and corrosion resistance properties. Since stainless steel is soft, these blades do not hold their edge for long and require to be sharpened frequently. Stainless steel is more costly than carbon steel and is usually found in more decorative blades.
- High Carbon Stainless Steel: High carbon steel blades combine the best of stainless steel and carbon steel. They are strong and have good rust resistant properties. They maintain a sharp cutting edge for long and are easy to sharpen. High carbon steel is costlier than both stainless steel and carbon steel. These blades are ideal for clearing thick or wood brush.
Tip 6: Choose a Machete with a Full Tang
When choosing a machete for clearing brush, it is important you choose one with a full tang wherever possible. A full tang means that the blade extends all the way to back of the handle. This design allows for maximum strength and longevity.
Tip 7: Mind about Your Safety
Using any type of machete requires practicing high level of safety. The sheath is one of the most important safety features as it allows you to store and transport your machete easily. The sheath should be sturdy and of a high quality. The handle of your machete also needs to be designed in a way that it cannot easily slip out of your hand. The material used to make the handle should also be comfortable enough and provide a firm grip.
What are the Best Machetes for Clearing Brush on Amazon?
To answer this question correctly, we have done extensive research to come up with a list of the 6 best machetes for clearing brush. All the machetes included in this list have been tested by real users and are proven to offer amazing results.
Kershaw Camp Series 18-Inch Machete
On the top of our list of the best machete for brush clearing is the Kershaw Camp Series 18-Inch Machete. The machete is perfect option for those looking for a truly heavy duty machete. The blade is made with 65Mn high carbon steel which is the equivalent to 1070 high carbon steel but is actually harder, maintaining a sharp edge for longer. It is also coated in durable protective black powder to protect the blade against rust. Also it is 1/4 inches thick making ideal for clearing thick brush.
Like other Kershaw machetes, the Camp Series 18-inch machete comes well-honed with a razor-sharp edge straight from the factory. The ergonomically designed polymer handle encompasses a 6 inches full for maximum strength and durability. For those who love using their machete with a lanyard, this machete comes with one at the back of the handle and the other at the front. The Camp Series 18-Inch machete also comes with a hard plastic gray sheath.
Pros of the Kershaw Camp Series 18-Inch Machete
- Polymer plastic handle covered with a sure-grip rubber for enhanced comfort and reduced slippage
- Gray hard plastic sheath with Velcro straps for easy storage and transportation
- Full tang for maximum strength and durability
- Black epoxy powder coated blade finish for improved rust and corrosion resistance properties
- Blade is forged from 65Mn High Carbon Steel for increased strength and long lasting sharpness
- 1/4 inch thick blade makes the machete ideal for clearing thick or woody thrush
- A blade length of 18-inch prevents your hands from getting injured while cutting vegetation
Cons of the Kershaw Camp Series 18-Inch Machete
- Horrible grip if your hard gets sweaty it will definitely slip and twist
- Sheath doesn’t have friction fit
Fiskars Clearing Tool 15-inch Garden Machete
What makes the Fiskars 15-inch Machete one of the best machetes for clearing brush is its high chopping power. With a weight of 2.2 pounds and a high quality carbon steel blade, this machete will ensure a clean cut when chop through small trees and brush in your backyard.
The 15-inch makes the machete ideal for performing a wide range of tasks including clearing thick brush, chopping roots, cutting tree branches and palms among other multiple uses. The axe-like blade allows for more controlled chopping and splitting. The blade is also somehow curved to prevent it from sticking in dense growth.
The machete comes with an ergonomically designed plastic handle that is uniquely shaped to provide a firm grip and reduce possible slippages. The fact that blade is made with high carbon steel means it can hold its edge for long.
Pros of the Fiskars Clearing Tool 15-inch Garden Machete
- Blade is made with durable carbon steel for maximum strength and long lasting sharpness
- Ergonomically designed plastic handle for enhanced comfort and reduced slippage
- Slightly heavy and thick blade allows you to cut via woody thrush with ease
- Blade is somehow curved to prevent it from sticking dense growth
- Lanyard holes allows you to hang your machete safely
Cons of the Fiskars Clearing Tool 15-inch Garden Machete
- Does not come with a sheath
- Might come with a slightly dull edge
SOG SOGfari 13-Inch Machete
SOG 13 Inch SOGFARI Machete will help you through any kind of vegetation with ease. With its perfectly balanced design and high quality stainless steel construction, this machete can perform a wide range of tasks including, preparing meals, harvesting crops, chopping wood as well as clearing brush. The deep cutting saw forged into the back of the blade and extended spiked tang will replace the axes, saws and hammers.
The blade features a smooth edge for hard cuts while the rubberized Kraton handle feels soft and comfort in your hands even after hours of use. The SOGFARI’s handle shape and material are simply outstanding. The SOGFARI blade is hardened to HRC 52-53, and sharpened to an edge that is keener that most machete.
Pros of the SOG 13 Inch SOGFARI Machete
- Full tang for enhanced durability and strength
- The blade is made with a slab of powder-coated 3Cr13 stainless and hardened to HRC 52-53 for maximum durability
- Comes with a sheath for safe storage
- Well shaped rubberized Kraton handle
- The 13-inch is very light for clearing thin or grassy thrush
Cons of the SOG 13 Inch SOGFARI Machete
- The blade loses its edge fast and needs to be sharpened frequently
- The blade is not ideal for clearing thick or wood thrush
- Blade can break or bend if used for heavy duty tasks
Jungle Master JM-021 Full Tang Machete
The Jungle Master JM-021 Full Tang Machete is a gorgeous machete with the finest details and superior quality you want in a brush clearing machete. The blade is made with stainless steel and it comes incredibly sharp right out of the box. Hand forged in China by skilled artisans and bladesmiths, the JM-021 machete is superbly made and guaranteed to last a lifetime.
The cord wrapped handle provides a firm grip and reduces chances that the machete will slip out of your hand. The cut out just above the handle allows you to choke up the blade for precision machete work. The machete comes with a sheath for the safe storage and transportation of the blade. The full tang extends to the handle to allow for maximum strength and durability.
Pros of the Jungle Master JM-021 Machete
- The long blade length enhances safety by ensuring you don’t injure your hands while working
- The blade is incredibly sharp and easy to sharpen
- Cord wrapped handle provides a firm grip and comfort
- Full tang provides maximum strength and durability
- The sheath ensures safe storage and transportation
Cons of the Jungle Master JM-021 Machete
- The blade is not strong enough for clearing thick or woody thrush
- The cut out near the handle is sharp and can injure your hand
Ontario Knife Co 18-Inch Military Machete
The Ontario Knife Co 18-inch Military Machete comes with many good features probably because it is a military machete. It features an 18-inch Latin-style blade made with high carbon 1095 steel for maximum strength, durability and long lasting sharpness. This makes it a great machete for clearing brush.
The blade is then coated with a heavy duty powder for enhanced corrosion and rust resistance properties. There is also a partial flat grind that extends about 0.5 inches up the blade. The blade boasts a full tang construction, making it stronger than most machetes on the market.
The Ontario Knife Co 18-inch Military Machete boasts an ergonomically designed thick plastic handle with three rivets that hold it in place for maximum comfort. An extended pinky notch at the end of handle prevents the machete from slipping out of your hand while at work.
Pros of the Ontario Knife Co 18-inch Military Machete
- Blade is made with high carbon steel for maximum durability, strength and long lasting sharpness
- Blade is coated with a heavy powder to enhance its corrosion and rust resistance properties
- Thick blade size and long length makes it ideal for clearing woody or thick thrush
- Full tang for enhanced strength and durability
- Ergonomically designed thick plastic handle for enhanced comfort and firm grip
- An extended pinky notch on the handle to reduce slippage while at work
Cons of the Ontario Knife Co 18-inch Military Machete
- It does not come with a sheath
- Requires sharpening immediately after purchase
Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe
The Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe is designed for ultra-fast powerful performance. It comes with an 18-inch blade for cutting tree branches and palms, chopping roots, clearing thick brush among other multiple uses. The axe-like blade allows for powerful, controlled chopping and splitting. The curve blade also provides a pull-cutting perfect for clearing vines. The blade comes with an ultra-sharp tip for push-cutting and chiseling action for the hard- to- reach cuts and awkward angles.
The Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe comes with a comfortable performance handle design with a beautiful texture pattern that allows you to choke up for precision work. For general use, grip the handle in the middle and to swing with maximum force, grip the handle at the end. The handle extends the swing arc by about 5 inches to allow you to put some power behind your swings.
The sheath of this machete feels tough and well made. The inside is a smooth synthetic material while the outside is made of medium weight, foam-backed nylon. The sheath helps to protect the blade while it is being stored in the garage during winter. Overall, the Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe is well made and is a perfect option for people looking for a long lasting machete.
Pros of the Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe
- The blade has an axe-like head for maximum power and controlled chopped and splitting
- The blade is forged from hardened steel for maximum durability and superb performance
- Comes with a comfortable high performance handle that makes it easy to handle the machete
- The nylon sheath helps to protect the blade when not in use
Cons of the Fiskars 29 Inch Machete Axe
- The heavy tip blade makes the machete less perfect for tasks involving short, quick movements
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