Best Survival Machetes For Preppers & Survivalists

Do you like to go camping? Are you a survivalist who spends days in the wilderness? If the answer is yes then you must get the best survival machete. Whether it is used to cut limbs, branches, vines, or grass, a high quality machete is a must if you want to get the most out of your outdoor experience.

If you have experience using a machete, you will know that most are 12 to 36 inches in length. But size aside, machetes differ greatly in terms of functionality, features, and capabilities. As a survivalist, you have to get the toughest machete possible to help you in challenging situations.

10 Best Survival Machetes - Comparisons

The Condor Bolo Machete is 15 inches long, with a powerful edge that can take down whatever you may encounter in the wilderness. The blade is complemented by the reliable Condor construction, reliable edge, and texture.

The Condor Bolo is full tang so it’s built for heavy duty use. With its 1075 high carbon steel blade, and its 3/16 width, the blade cuts through grass, bushes, branches, and limbs with a single stroke. The Condor Bolo is powerful, but it is also well made. Swing it a few times and you’ll realize how well balanced it is.

The handle is comprised of walnut that is resistant and durable. The grip is good and won’t slip, and it is light enough to make a full swing if necessary. The blade has brass rivets for extra strength, but they are concealed. The blade tip is also very sharp.

The Condor Machete is exceptionally sharp, maintains its edge, and is durable. Its sharp blade can handle a lot of different situations. It is a bit heavy, but the extra weight gives it a solid power feel. 

The Onion Halfchance has a 65 mm carbon steel drop point blade for cutting, slicing, and chopping. It has a sizable handle with rubberized texture for a nonslip grip. It is comfortable to hold and won’t wear your wrist out with extended use.

The Onion Halfchance not only feels good, but performs very well. It’s got the power to cut a sassafras tree without any difficulty. With a flat grind of 0.1 inches, you don’t need to exert a lot of effort to get things done.

In addition to the outstanding performance and feel with the Onion Halfchance, the finish is also exceptional. Chopping and cutting doesn’t slow it down and the powder coat finishing works great. Unlike other machetes, the Halfchance does not deteriorate quickly.

This machete has a good sized blade, and nylon sheath has been enhanced for extra strength. The blade is also designed, providing a nice balance of power and usability.

The CRKT Onion Halfchance is easy to use, moves nicely, and the handle is very comfortable to use. Its sharp blade is great for a lot of tasks and it is versatile enough to be used for camping, hiking, and other tasks. 

The Condor Heavy Duty Kukri Machete is 15 inches long with a 10 inch long, 5/16 inch thick, high carbon steel blade. It weighs less than two pounds, so it’s not going to slow you down even with repeated swings and cuts. The blade has a sharp edge and cuts through branches, grass, bushes, and clearings, without any difficulty.

This is full tang machete so there’s no need to worry the blade will fly off when you apply a lot of pressure. Swinging the machete is easy thanks to its light build, but the blade’s sharpness means you’ll need to do less work.

The included sheath is well-made and fits the machete nicely. A swiveling belt loop and snap closure are built in for even more convenience. With the way the machete is built, you will be able to use this for extended periods, without losing its power.

As the name makes clear, this is a heavy duty machete. It is shorter than other machetes but packs a lot more power. Usually heavy machetes tire you out, but the Condor provides you with more control, reducing the amount of time needed to complete a task. 

Also Read: Best Throwing Knife – Top Selections for Expert & Beginners

The name Ka-Bar is well known for quality products, and this machete is no exception. It is 17 inches long and weighs less than 2 pounds, so repeated swinging and cutting won’t wear you out. What makes the Ka-Bar the ideal companion is that it strikes a balance between power and portability.

The Ka-Bar packs a lot of power, and it only takes a few swings to chop wood, bush and grass without exerting a lot of effort. The machete handles very well and cuts large, thick weeds with ease. If you’re out camping and need to clear an area, a few swings of this machete will do the trick.

It also comes with a Cordura sheath that complements the blade nicely. There is also a hole in the machete’s handle so you can hang it for easy access. No matter how you use the Ka-Bar, it should be able to hold up fine.

The Ka-Bar Kukri Machete is as good as advertised. It has the power to cut branches, grass, weeds, and even more. It is a versatile tool that will serve you well at campsites.

The Condor Parang Machete comes with a 17.5 inch blade for cutting and chopping everything; from trees to brushes. Its full tang blade is designed for heavy duty use, and its 1075 high carbon steel blade allows for rapid cut and chops.

Its black powder epoxy coating adds to the blade’s durability and flexibility. Even though it packs a lot of power, the Parang Machete weighs just one pound. Its lightness minimizes wrist fatigue and the machete is finely balanced. The blade isn’t as thick as others, but it still provides a lot of cutting power.

The Condor’s curved blade enables you to cut hard to reach bushes and structures. The blade is also suitable for getting rid of vegetation, and for self defense against attackers, humans, or animals. The sharp blade is also perfect for getting rid of varmint that can make their way into your campsite.

The Condor machete is built for all around use, and it has the means to deliver the results. For cutting brush, vines, and small trees, you’ll only need a few strokes just to clear the field.

Handmade from Nepal, the Graco 10” is notable for its sharp, thin, 10 inch blade. Constructed from 5160 high grade carbon steel, the Graco is ideal for campers, hikers, and survivalists. This is also the type of machete you’ll want for removing branches and cutting small trees.

The machete can handle these heavy duty tasks because it’s been heat treated. This treatment, along with its fine balance, makes this a good machete for cutting and chopping in the woods.

The rosewood handle is durable. At 5 inches long, there is enough space for your hand, and it is also comfortable to hold. This is a full tang machete so applying a lot of force won’t cause any damage. The flat handle provides better grip compared to others, and the rosewood pieces are of exceptional quality.

The sheath is made of buffalo skin with cotton protection inside. The sheath not only provides excellent protection, but it also makes the machete easy to pull out when it’s needed.

The Graco 10” is a quality machete that cuts and chops with precision. The handle is adequate and should last a long time. Easy to use, comfortable to carry, and lightweight, this is the type of machete you’ll find useful in many situations. 

The Warlock is a multi-purpose machete, with its 12 inch blade suited for chopping and cutting. The blade’s tip tapers, providing extra power when you swing.

As a multipurpose tool, the Warlock cuts wood, branches, firewood, and bushes with ease. You can also use the Warlock to skin fish and other animals, and it also makes for an effective self-defense weapon. The sharp tip is perfect for piercing and also for stabbing.

The Warlock is constructed from 1075 carbon steel, and comes with a micarta handle so it is more comfortable to hold. The handle is ergonomic so even with continuous use you won’t suffer any wrist fatigue. 

Chopping power is good especially for firewood. Even with extended use, the Warlock can take a beating without losing its edge.

The Warlock is a powerful machete, with its 12 inch blade, it is more than capable of cutting and chopping bushes, wood, branches, and trees. The Warlock is designed mainly for chopping, but it is also good enough for a diverse range of other cutting and clearing tasks.

Also Read: Hunting for the Best Hunting Knife – Our Top Choices

The SP8 has a 1/4 inch thick, 10 inch long blade, making it suitable for hunting, camping, hiking, and survivalist endeavors. Constructed from 1095 high carbon steel, the blade retains its edge and does not need frequent sharpening.

This machete belongs to the Plus Generation line, meaning it is good enough to be used by the military, sporting enthusiasts, campers, and survivalists. When it comes to functionality, the SP8 works great as a camping tool.

The machete cuts wood cleanly, great for fabricating makeshift tables and chairs. You can also use this machete to clear trails and prepare firewood. The SP8 is also a good choice for clearing up your campsite of debris and bushes.

The machete is well balanced, and it is light enough to swing numerous times without tiring your arms and wrists. You can think of the SP8 as a large survival knife or hatchet, but only more versatile and durable.

The SP8 is one of the best multi-functional machetes we have tried. It’s thicker than average blade allows it to cut a lot of materials that ordinary machetes can’t. Due to its high quality steel, you can depend on this machete for a long time. 

The Bear Grylls Parang Machete has a 13.5 inch blade, and style wise, it looks a lot like a traditional machete. The carbon steel blade is tough as nails and sharp enough to pierce through hard objects with ease. It only takes a few strokes to cut through branches, trees, and other materials.

The handle has rubber texture grip for an ergonomic and comfortable grip. Because of the textured grip, the handle won’t slip off your hands even if your hands get sweaty.

With its sharp tip and edge, this machete can handle a lot of tasks. If you plan to do any serious camping, creating shelters, or clearing trails, this is a machete that you can depend on.

There are a lot of good survival machetes today, and the Bear Grylls is one of them. It is nicely balanced with good weight distribution. It is also versatile and performs a lot of the functions that a hatchet can. 

The SCHKM1 has a 1/8 inch thick, 13 inch long blade, just right for camping chores and helping the survivalist with various tasks. The blade is made of 3cr13 stainless steel, and it is hard enough to go through tough materials.

The machete weighs only 1.44 pounds, not bad at all when you consider that it is 19 inches long. The blade is sharp and retains its edge far better than ordinary bolo machetes. Its storage pouch is removable, providing you with greater flexibility when working. The shoulder belt sheath is made of polyester, providing storage for your machete.

Because the blade is full tang, it can take a beating without a dip in performance. The blade is hard, but not so much that it’s inflexible. For high impact activities, the blade’s thickness should be able to take a lot of punishment.

The blade’s curved shape and thick belly enables you to cut and chop with little effort but optimum results. We also have to say that its powder coating is really good. This is nothing like the flimsy coating found on regular machetes, but durable, and made to last in different kinds of weather conditions.

The Schrade is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an alternative to the usual machetes. With its black powder coating and sharp, durable blade, the Schrade offers high performance compared to the ordinary survival machete.

How to Choose Survival Machete

There are many types of machetes, but the factors you need to consider as a buyer are the same.

• How long do you intend to use the machete?
• What will you be using it for?
• Will you be relying solely on the machete or have a survival knife and/or ax?
• Where will you use the machete (swamp, jungle, desert)?

Once you have answered these questions you can choose what type of survival machete to buy.

Types of Steel 

There are two types to choose from, carbon and stainless steel.

Carbon: Carbon is stronger than stainless steel, so it is more suited for heavy duty work in the wilderness. However, it is prone to rust if not properly maintained. 

Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is not as durable as high carbon, but it is low maintenance. For light to medium duty work, stainless steel will do.

Sharpness

The sharper the blade, the better. In the past you had to shell out a lot of money just to get a sharp survival machete, but that’s no longer the case. It is also better if the blade does not need frequent sharpening.

Weight 

The thicker and larger the blade, the quicker the machete will cut through bushes. However, the extra weight makes the machete heavier. You have to find the right balance between weight and power.

Length

The longer the machete, the more you will be able to cut. The drawback is the longer the machete, the more difficult it will be to carry.

Material

Machete blades are made from different materials so you won’t be lacking in options. Just make sure that it does not dull quickly.

Final Verdict

A survivalist needs skills to survive, but it won’t hurt to have a well-made machete either. From cutting grass, branches, chopping wood, creating shelter, to self defense, there is no shortage of things that you can do with it. Hopefully these reviews have helped you make a decision.

Figuring out the best survival machete could take a long time, especially if you don’t know where to start. With the information here, you can just focus on these ten and decide which one is the right one for you.