10 Best Survival Machetes for Survival in 2022 [with Guide]

Machete, also known as a survival knife, primarily originated in the Caribbean and Central America. As useful as it sounds, it is known for its versatility as well.

It can be used both as a knife and as a survival axe. While the upper Blade, more substantial in weight, provides the force for chopping, the machete blade is significantly used to cut. 

Besides being an agricultural tool, it can be used for various purposes ranging from cutting and maintaining trails, clearing bushes and vegetation, carving wood, and hunting to campsite management! 

If you are looking for the best survival machete, here is an in-depth review article to help you in the selection of one…

1. CRKT Chanceinhell Fixed Blade Machete

Chanceinhell, a fixed blade machete, was designed by Ken Onion, the award-winning knifemaker. It is resistant to rough use. This thick steel blade that is made of carbon has a black powder coat which makes it durable in any environment. 

It is as easy to sharpen as it is to use. It is designed in a way that it does not weigh too much to be carried and has multiple lanyard holes that facilitate several grip options. It also has a nylon sheath with a velcro belt loop system which can be adjusted according to your comfort. 

You can either keep it dangling or snug it against your belt. It also has a paracord fob along with the sheath for emergency use or to hunt down a truck or a pack. It is the best survival machete you can find.

Specific Features:

• Size – One Size
• Length of the Blade – 12″ (304.8 mm)
• The thickness of the Blade – 0.1″ (2.54 mm)
• Weight – 1.25 lbs (0.57 kg)
• Colour – Onion 
• Steel – 65Mn Carbon Steel
• Edge – Plain
• Blade Finish – Bead Blast with Powder Coat
• Handle – P.P. Core and TPR Overmold with Textured Grip
• Style – Fixed Black Knife with Sheath 
• The material of Sheath – Nylon
• Weight of Sheath – 6.1 oz. (172.93 gm)
• Batteries – None 

2. Schrade SCHKM1 19.7 Kukri Machete

Also known as Gurkha Blade, it is one of the best survival machete available after the above mentioned CRKT Chanceinhell.

Schrade SCHKM1 is a versatile cutting tool from Nepal. It is a large knife with three parts — pointed tip mainly used for stabbing, a wide midsection which helps in chopping and is narrow near the handle, which makes it perfect for carving and shaping. The curve of the Blade facilitates a deeper cut. 

On your next hiking, camping, or bushcraft missions, be prepared with the kukri. It is dependable because of its quick and easy access with the convenient polyester sheath along with a removable shoulder pouch, leg strap, shoulder strap, and belt loop that makes it one of the best cutting tools.

Specific Features:

• Size – 19.7″ (50 cm)
• Weight – 1 lb (6.6 ounces)
• Length of the Blade – 13.3″ (33.8 cm)
• The material of the Blade – 3Cr13 Powder Coated S.S.
• Sheath – Polyester 
• Steel – Stainless 
• Handle – Safe-T-Grip 

3. SOG Tanto Machete (Model: MCO4-N)

It is the best survival machete one can use to protect oneself on an adventurous exploration. The stainless steel, rubber handle, and working saw make it a perfect outdoor survival tool. 

It can be used for hunting, clearing brush features, and cutting wood. With this, you will get a versatile survival tool that has working saw on the back of the blade, plus it also comprises sharp teeth that can cut deep.

It is a heavy-duty survival knife machete that is made in durable 3Cr13 stainless steel along with 2 fixed blade machete hunting knife edges that can pierce, saw, and cut. 

Specific Features:

• Size – One Size
• Weight – 13.50 oz. 
• Length of the Blade – 10″
• Steel – 3Cr13MoV
• Handle – Kraton or Rubber Handle
• Edge – Straight 
• Sheath – Ballistic Nylon 
• Batteries – None

4. Kershaw Camp 18 Machete (Model: KS1074-BRK)

It is made with robust and 65Mn steel with a black powder coating — perfect for hard-use. Cut, split, slash, hack or strip with it anytime, anywhere. 

It is a fixed blade of full tang construction with a polymer handle covered by rubber over a mold which facilitates a stable grip. It is convenient to carry, provided with a molded sheath that has nylon straps. 

Whether you are in a zombie apocalypse or a deep jungle, it is the best survival machete.

Specific Features:

• Weight – 2.6 lbs
• Length of the Blade – 18″
• Material – 65Mn steel
• Handle – Polymer Wrapped in Rubber Overmold 

5. Gerber BroadCut Machete (Model: 31-003152)

This machete is a modern version of the jungle tribesmen’s machete which is designed to slice cleanly. The hook and cut notch make it perfect for clearing vines and bushes, and its heavy fine edge blade is resistant to corrosion. 

The rubber handle with large finger choil as well as safety lanyards facilitates a comfortable grip and confident use. It has an innovative hook + cut notch that will give extended reach for manipulating vines/branches for removal.

Specific Features:

• Weight – 1.13 pounds
• Dimensions – 19.7×28×1.2 inches
• Handle – Rubber 
• Edge – Fine
• Colour – Grey
• Batteries – None 

6. Fiskars Machete Axe (Model: 385101-1002)

This machete is designed for fast and powerful performance. It helps in taming the unwanted vegetation in your garden. It is the sharpest and is corrosion resistant. 

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The curve helps facilitate a variety of tasks at a fast pace. The handle provides a secure and comfortable grip. It is divided into three parts – axe-like blade head for splitting and chopping, blade curve for fast pull-cuts, and a sharp tip for chiseling and push-cutting.

Specific Features:

• Weight – 2.5 pounds 
• Dimensions – 1.75×7.43×31.5 inches
• Sheath – Nylon 
• Warranty – Lifetime 

7. Condor Tool and Knife Engineer Bolo Machete

Often known as the best survival machete, it is made in El Salvador. Made with the highest quality materials, with a tang construction, it is a long and heavy carbon steel blade with a hardwood handle. 

It is known for its durability and can be used to cut firewood and medium to large branches. It is crafted from the highest quality materials that make it best-in-class for performance and durability. It offers a condor classic blade finish along with hardwood handle and brown leather sheath.

Specific Features:

• Weight – 3.4 pounds
• Size – 15″
• Steel – 5mm-1075 High Carbon
• Material – Synthetic 
• Handle – Hardwood
• Sheath – Leather

8. Ka-Bar 2-1249-9 kukri

This Kukri Machete is known for chopping down weeds, cutting small branches, and even clearing an entire campsite. 

Made in Taiwan, this kukri-style machete has a Kraton G thermoplastic handle with a black leather and corduroy combination sheath. Ideal if you have a thing for camping. With this one, you will get Ergonomic Kraton G thermoplastic elastomer handle, plus also includes black leather/Cordura combination sheath. 

Specific Features:

• Weight – 1.7 pounds
• Size – 17″
• Blade – Fixed
• Blade Length – 11-1/2″
• Steel – 1075 Carbon
• Shape – Kukri
• Stamp – Taiwan
• Sheath – Leather/Corduroy Combination 

9. Condor Tool and Knife Parang Machete 

This Condor machete is often used to chop off the hardwoods. The steel blade consists of a high concentration of carbon, with a coating of black epoxy powder. 

It is designed like a tang, has a brown hardwood handle, and the belt sheath is made of black leather.

This is an excellent survival machete that is acceptably sharp right out of the box. Its balance is perfect, plus the handle is very comfortable as well. 

Specific features:

• Weight – 2.5 pounds 
• Size – Large
• Length of the Blade – 17 1/2″ 
• The material of the Blade – 1075 High Carbon Steel
• Finishing – Epoxy Black Powder Coating 
• Colour – Black
• Handle – Hardwood 
• Sheath – Leather 
• Dimension – 26×3.5×1.75 inches 

10. Condor Tool and Knife Warlock Machete Knife

One of the knives with the most extended blades; it is perfect if you are into camping. It is often used to cut down logs, branches, bushes, and bushes.

It is almost 20″ with the Blade being 12.5″ and is made up of high carbon steel. This comes with a handcrafted leather sheath and is the best survival machete.

Specific features:

• Size – 19.5″ 
• Blade Length – 12.5″
• Steel – 1075 High Carbon
• Weight – 2.07 lbs
• Thickness – 5.0mm
• Handle – Micarta
• Sheath – Leather 
• Finishing – Epoxy Black Powder Coating

Best Survival Machete Buying Guide

The machete being one of the best survival tools combines excellent chopping power along with the finesse of the knife. You can find a wide range of styles with survival machetes that are designed for numerous tasks.

A top-notch machete comes with an extended metal blade and a robust handle used either as an implement like an axe or in combat like a short sword. They are of great use in homes, vehicles, jungles, and so forth. Machete blades are common of 12.8 to 17.7 inches long and they are under 0.12 inches thickness.

Your survival machete has to be well-designed for the task at hand. Wide ranges of tasks that you can try are Self-Defense, Skinning Big Game, Harvesting Produce, Bushwhacking Dense Brush, Opening a Can, Shaving Bark, Pruning Shelter Supports, Cracking nuts, Creating Tinder, Sawing Down Trees and so on. While choosing your survival machete, a few features you need to pay heed upon are-

1. Durability

The first and foremost thing to look for in a machete is its durability. The feature can be judged by the quality of the material it is built from. 

2. Quality 

Do a quick quality test based on the material of the knife. For instance, a high carbon steel blade with a fine edge will make your task easier. The material of the handle should be checked so that you can have a relaxed and comfortable grip.

3. Price

Be economical. Do not buy the unnecessarily highly-priced ones, but the reviews are full of negative feedback. Check the brand, the quality, the design, and balance these with the price charged.

4. Design

When buying a knife, always look carefully into the design and construction. For instance, if you need a strong, straight blade and you find none, as a result of which you opt for a curved blade, it will not serve the same purpose, even if it is the best in the market.

5. Brand

Come on, all of us know that brand matters. Well, known brands are very unlikely to engage in fraudulence. Most of these brands provide a lifetime warranty. Even if you are charged a higher price, it is worth the product and benefits.

Conclusion — Best Survival Machete

You should have at least one survival machete with you, whether you have a bungalow amid a forest or you stay in the countryside. Well, you might be a Hollywood persona as well. The survival machete will help you protect yourself in extreme environments.

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