The best and most convenient way to get rid of stubborn brush in your yard is to purchase a machete. In this article, I will be sharing 7 of the best machetes for clearing brush that I personally loved the most.
Last year, I was a bit worried about how to clean my yard. A friend of mine suggested that I get a machete, but deciding which one to get wasn’t easy because I’d never had one of them before. After trying a few different machetes on the market, I’ve compiled 7 of them here that are definitely worth considering.
I have tested each machete, and the reviews here are my personal opinion about them. Before moving on to them, let’s briefly overview some of the features you need to consider before purchasing the best machete for clearing brush.
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Buying Guide for Purchasing the Best Machete for Clearing Brush – 2023
When I went to get myself a machete, I thought it was a no-brainer, and I just had to pick the one that looked the sharpest; I guess I was completely wrong here. Buying a machete for a clearing brush requires careful selection, and it isn’t always the most expensive tool that does the best job.
Here I have compiled some handy features to consider while purchasing a machete for clearing brush. So, let’s get onto the first feature.
Type of Machetes
There are so many different machetes available in the marketplace that you could easily get lost in them.
You can classify these machetes based on their area of origin. Let’s say the Parang Machetes; the basis of their origination was Indonesia. These are some strong machetes and are suitable for cutting through thick vegetation.
Another type of machete is the Latin-style machete. These obviously came from Latin America. The main feature that sets them apart from other machetes is that they are lightweight and easy to handle.
The next type of machete I came across was the billhook machete. These came from Europe and Asia and are made from carbon steel to provide maximum durability and extra sharpness. They are ideal for chopping green vegetation.
Panga machetes originate from Africa and are super sharp; they are often used to cut thick wood vegetation. Heavy machetes can be useful for clearing off heavy brush and other vegetation. Lastly, the bolo machetes come from the Philippines and are suitable for cutting thick plants.
Vegetation You Have
The next thing you need to consider is what kind of vegetation you have. The vegetation type plays an important role in deciding which machete to go for. For instance, you can either have a grassy brush or a woody, thick brush.
I won’t suggest going for a heavy machete for a thin brush. You get your work done by using a lightweight machete in such a situation. It is also easy to carry around and works well in the longer run. To have an easier hand, make sure to purchase a lightweight machete with sharpened sides.
Coming towards a thick or woody brush for that, you need to choose a machete that has a wide space near the tip of the blade. I had a very thick brush on my lawn, and I accidentally got a lightweight machete that ended me in a lot of trouble. Make sure you go for a weighted machete for a thick brush coupled with a wide blade with a curved tip.
Blade Length
If you focus on the machetes available in the market, you will get to know that they are available in different blade lengths. They can be as short as 12 inches and as long as 24 inches or even more.
Now the selection is the main part. I suggest you go for a length that is neither too short nor too long. This will prevent any injury and reduce the time it will take to chop off the brush. A pro tip is to purchase a long blade because this way, you won’t have to repeatedly chop off the brush again and again at one single point.
The thickness of the blade
Most of the machetes have a thickness of 1/8 inch. Due to these thin blades, they are light in weight and provide the appropriate momentum to cut through brush or grass. One thing I dislike about thin blades is that they can break too easily. You can find thicker blades but remember they are much more difficult to handle and are often heavier.
Style of the Machete
In the beginning, I told you about how different types of machetes exist based on their origin. All of these machetes serve different purposes, and you must acknowledge if you are purchasing the right machete or not.
It is good to purchase the Bolo, Parang, or Panga machetes for cutting through brushes. They are suitable for heavy brushes and are easier to maneuver as well.
Material
You can find machetes in 3 different constructions. One is carbon steel, the second is stainless steel, and the third is high-carbon stainless steel. Carbon steel blades are most optimal for clearing thick brushes. One odd thing about them is that you have to oil these blades regularly so they won’t rust up. If you do have rusty tools I’ve written an article on how you can fix them and keep them clean and ready to use.
Stainless steel blades are resistant to rust, but you need to sharpen them often; they are also much costlier and usually found in ornamental machetes. Lastly, a high-carbon steel blade can be the best blade for a machete. They clear thick brush and are the easiest to sharpen.
Full Tang Availability
Whenever you purchase a brush-clearing machete, make sure you go for the one with a full tang. This means that the whole blade is spread to the back of the handle. Because of this, you will be able to have better control over longer time intervals.
Safety
No matter what kind of machete you use, it is important to care about your safety. A sheath can serve the purpose of having the machete stored and transported safely. The handle must be designed ergonomically so it won’t slip out of your
Best Machete for Clearing Brush You Can Buy Today
Hooyman Bush Machete
This machete is the right one for cutting through heavy and thick brushes. Its comfortable handle and heavy blades at a very affordable price made me call it the best budget machete for clearing brush.
I could get clear cuts in my garden using this machete without making my arms sore. Thanks to its protective sheath. My previous machete didn’t come with a sheath, and I had to carry it around carefully not to damage the blades. Thankfully I don’t have to worry anymore about this one.
As it was a budget machete, I was initially skeptical about using it on roots and tough plants. However, after several sessions of clearing brush in my yard with this machete, I can recommend it to anyone out there.
I also tried using this machete on thick brushes; fortunately, it worked well even on the thickest weeds and bamboo trees.
Regarding durability, I was quite satisfied with the blades and their overall design. The balanced design made it easier to cut through fresh vegetation. Also, this machete didn’t make my hands feel sweaty because of the no-slip design.
Overall I liked this one because it worked on the thick brushes I had in my yard. For my hands, the size of this machete was perfect; however, I believe this one would run a bit shorter for bigger hands.
Condor Tool & Knife, Bushcraft Parang Machete
I wanted a machete for my yard that I could use for all purposes. After many tests and trials, I found this tool the best all-purpose machete on the market. This machete was able to cut through thick and thin brushes.
Moreover, the blades on this machete were pretty heavy. This helped me in chopping off the heaviest brush around my lawn. I used this machete for about an hour on a thick brush to see whether it was comfortable or not.
Due to its polypropylene handles, this machete was very easy to hold, even for a long time. If I ever suggest you guys go for this machete, it would be because of the comfortable handles. The comfort it offers has made me obsessed with this one.
I got rid of the most stubborn brushes without straining my hands. My previous machete used to give me blisters all over my fingers, so this time I made sure I was picking the right tool. Like other machetes, it also came with a protective sheath and a lanyard hole.
Because the sheath was made of heavy-duty nylon and accompanied by a belt loop, it was easier to carry around my huge yard. One of this machete’s best features was its blunt grind, which made handling stubborn brushes easier.
Beginners might have a hard time handling this machete. If you are a beginner and want something convenient, go for the KA1248-BRK Machete Cutlass because it is easier to handle.
KA1248-BRK Machete Cutlass
The Cutlass is just a monster at cutting out thick wood. And this is the best beginner-friendly pick if you are starting gardening and want to clear out medium brush. The corrosion resistance blades lined with traction instantly made me love this machete.
I used it rigorously around a medium-length brush and had no issue tackling it. In short, this machete worked for me as a slicer for cutting the brushes off. I found it to be the sharpest machete ever, not to forget its solid grip.
It came with this stylish safety sheath and belt that you can use to store your machete while walking in the woods. I loved the gothic black matte finish this machete had. Even if I don’t use this one for cutting brushes, I would adore it as an ornament.
Fiskars Clearing Tool Garden Machete
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I used this Machete to clean an entire hillside of overgrown weeds and misery. I even used it to kill a Copperhead when it slithered out from underneath a rock and tried to bite me. Fortunately, I had this amazingly sharp and sweet-looking Machete in hand and I pulled a Samurai move and cut the bugger in half. It was amazing.”
Gerald Cumberbatch
The Fiskars 15-inch Machete’s great chopping strength makes it one of the best machetes for clearing brushes. This machete’s 2.2-pound weight and high-quality carbon steel blade gave me an easy time cutting through even the smallest brushes in my backyard.
Its 15-inch length is drool-worthy. I found this one a great choice for clearing heavy bushes, slicing roots, and cutting tree branches. Thanks to its ax-like blade, I had an easier hand at chopping and splitting the brush precisely. For the vegetative part, I like how this machete’s blade had a curve. Because of this curve, it didn’t get stuck in thick vegetation.
Additionally, This machete is specifically curved to provide a solid grip and prevent it from slipping out of hands, all praise to its ergonomic plastic handles. Due to the blade’s high carbon steel construction, I could use it for a long time.
Condor Tool & Knife, Golok Machete
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Craftsmanship is stellar! My wife bought me this because I lost my Gerber machete and was bummed about it, so for my replacement she got me this. I must say this blade was crafted for everyday use in some of the harshest conditions. Fits my hand perfectly. And all in all, one great machete.
I’m a fan!”
Armando R.
This one is the best if you want a machete that can cut through brushes and has a longer reach. Golok has everything one could ask for, a sharp blade, an ergonomic handle, and extended reach. Even though it is one of the high-end picks on the list, I believe the performance is worth every penny.
The material used here was premium quality and didn’t disappoint me even for a second. And, of course, it had to be like that because Condor promises premium quality. The design was too elegant, ranging from walnut handles to sharp blades.
It came with this nice protective sheath and sharp blades that were too fun to work with. The 19-inch length was ideal for eliminating all the thick brushes at once. Plus, the blades of this machete were very easy to sharpen.
However, if you aren’t willing to spend too much on a machete, I suggest you go for the Kershaw Camp 18 (1074) Camp Series Machete. It comes at a much better price tag and still performs best.
Kershaw Camp 18 (1074) Camp Series Machete
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“When I bought the Kershaw Camp 10, I was just filling a hole that my 30-year-old Collins manchette was going to make one day. Nope, this ain’t it. This is my favorite new chopper, heavy brush, small tree-cutting machine, The spine on it is awesome, never going to run out of steel, and the handle I was a little worried about is great. I may add a lanyard to it, but that’s about it, AND IT COMES WITH A SHEATH AT NO EXTRA CHARGE! Don’t know how they pulled it off at the price, but I have 2 now and I am very happy I saw this when I did.”
Mark, The Florida Cracker
I would suggest this machete to anyone who requires a heavy-duty machete. One exceptional thing about this machete was its blades. It is made using 65Mn high carbon steel, similar to 1070 high carbon steel but is tougher, allowing me to keep a sharp edge for a longer time.
This machete also came coated with a long-lasting protective black powder. It helped me to keep the blade from rusting and use it for a longer period of time. It was 1/4 inch thick, which made it perfect for removing heavy brushes.
It also came equipped with a razor-sharp edge right out of the box. I started using it as soon as I got it in the mail. The ergonomically designed polymer handle spanned 6 inches, providing optimal strength and longevity. A durable plastic gray sheath was also included with this Camp Series 18-Inch machete.
However, not getting the high-quality protective sheath was a big turnoff for me at this price. And because of this reason, I would prefer the Hooyman Bush Machete as it is affordable, stronger and at the same time comes with a high-quality protective sheath.
Jungle Master JM-021 Full Tang Machete
The Jungle Master Machete is a stunning brush-clearing machete with exceptional craftsmanship. Made of stainless steel, the blade was razor-sharp and ready to use just out of the box. There was no need to sharpen the blades or adjust the cutting edge.
Because of the cord-wrapped handle, I got a secure hold of this machete. The comfort of this one kept it from slipping out of my hands even once. The machete had a sheath to keep the blade safe while being stored and transported. Also, this full tang helped me tackle a lot of stubborn brush.
I had one of these for over a decade and loved it. Unfortunately, I didn’t use it as intensively as trying to cut down century oaks, but I’ve put it through some good treks, and it did come out as brand new every time.
How I Tested The Products Listed Here?
To test the machete, I, of course, started with my lawn. Before starting the tests and trials, I did not brush off my lawn for about a month because I wanted to check every tool rigorously.
I tried every machete on thick as well as thin brushes. Because my yard had every kind of brush available so I was lucky in that stance. I started with the thick brush and checked if the tool was able to cut through smoothly or not.
Next, I tried the machetes for cutting through thin brushes and branches lurking around. I tested whether the machete could get through many brushes together all at once or if I had to repeat the strokes.
After this, I check whether the blades are made of good quality stainless steel. I even left these tools out to see if they could withstand harsh weather conditions. This was my way of testing, and I made sure to access every aspect of these machetes.
After getting all the information about the sharpness and design of the blades, I tested the comfortability of these tools. I gave at least an hour trial period for each of the tools mentioned here to see if they are comfortable in hands or not.
One important thing that I ensured was that the handles were soft and didn’t make my hands sore, even under heavy pressure. Plus, I checked for the handles to see if they were short or long to get hold of them in the right direction.
Lastly, I confirmed that every machete was easy to carry around and did come with a protective sheath. I tested whether these sheaths were of good quality or not and were easy to transport from one place to another.
Conclusion
Hopefully, I have provided enough options for you to choose from. To have your machete perform well, make sure you select the right one. However, if you haven’t made up your mind yet, let me share my personal favorites with you:
- Best Buy Pick: Kershaw Camp 18 (1074) Camp Series Machete
- Best Budget Pick: Hooyman Bush Machete
- Beginner Friendly Pick: KA1248-BRK Machete Cutlass
As a precaution, be careful while handling the machete to avoid any mishap. Need to purchase a good leaf blower, you can check it out here. Best of luck!
FAQ’s
How Much Should A Good Machete Cost?
You can find machetes ranging from $20 to $40. It is important to look for the quality of the blade and handle to get the most bang for your buck. A high-end machete would cost $40 or even more than that.
What Size Machete Is Best?
There are no strict measurements for a machete to be the best. A machete with at least a 10-inch long blade might work best in most cases. It is better to never go below this length.
How to Sharpen a Machete?
A sandpaper or belt Sandler would work best to sharpen a machete. These are professional and one of the easiest ways to sharpen a machete. Make sure you follow the appropriate precautionary measure before doing so.
When she is not busy writing or working on her latest gardening project, Duaa can be found watering her houseplants, experimenting with DIY balcony and urban gardening creations, or cookingin the kitchen with ingredients she has grown in her own garden.
With her passion for nature and her wealth of knowledge and experience, Duaa is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their connection with the world of gardening.
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