I also have the Vex, Waki, and highly recommend. These along with some other VERY nice recent release have made the recent few months a BANNER few months for great Busse and kin releases. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

And I also had help from a forum friend in scoring a Condor El Salvador machete - It is BY FAR, the nicest and highest quality machete I have come across. And only $50 with leather sheath! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

I haven't had the opportunity to use the El Salvador yet. But, I am VERY confident it is a SERIOUS butt-kickin' chopper. Being a bit smaller than my Waki, I think the Waki is likely to have more power. But, the Condor El Salvador is thicker and heavier than my Tramontina and much nicer finished. I assume they are both sufficiently tough for machete's. The Tram is lighter and faster - so more suited for lighter limbs, brush, etc. But, the El Salvador is pretty stout for a machete and should chop thicker limbs quite well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I assume the Waki will hold an edge better - once I get a nice convex edge on it. But, in all honesty, as much as the Waki came with a pretty decent edge for not being convex, the El Salvador came with a nicer wicked convexed edge. (* The Northwind's edge is still better though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)
Still, for a $50 machete with leather sheath... with THAT nice an edge - WOW! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

I have a VERY long wish list.... too long to even look at right now. But, where I am right now - is needing money for bills. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

And in spite of how long my "Wish" list is, the reality is that my knife collection is larger than justified considering I need money.

So, unfortunately, I am looking at having to sell knives .... today. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />

Buying knives and my wish list will have to wait. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I had to pass on the S5LE - I am just broke and it is actually just a bit higher priced than I had hoped for. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Sadly, I hope Jerry and Dan don't release anything nice for a while.

.