How does that sucker feel Ish? Fast, but tough enough to handle abuse?

I have not tried that. My favorite beater machete is my Condor Golok:



Tough enough for anything. Cheap enough for my amature modifications.

Yes! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I used mine a bunch the other day, held up great to batoning and chopping

I will throw my vote in for the ESEE Lite Machette. If by beater, you mean something that you wouldn't mind breaking or losing, it isn't the right choice at $50+. But, if you mean something that can taking a beating and still hold its edge, it is a great choice. I have had one for years and it has held up well. The sheath that came with it has been replaced with a generic one I picked up at a military surplus store though. As mentioned above, the ESEE supplied sheath sucks.

It's funny Skunk mentioned the Bear Grylls Parang Machete. I noticed them at the base exchange here at 29 Palms. It is the biggest blade they carry. I handled the display one they have out and was impressed. Then, a few days ago, we ran across a group of Seabees who all had them on their packs. Seabees are Naval Mobile Construction Battalions of sailors whose primary job is to build stuff in very unsafe areas. Think well armed and trained construction workers. These men and women can provide their own security in a combat zone and continue building.

The Seabees had nothing but good things to say about the Gerber Parang, and theirs were well used by the looks of them. The only negative thing they had to say about them was the marketing name (Bear Grylls) and the orange handles. The color is good for survival, but not so much for combat. At $19, I am thinking about picking one up while here.

Good post JJ. And I think that you will be impressed by the BGP. Yeah I know about a guy that does some weird stuff hawking it and yup, it is kinda flashy (but the orange can be overcome). I guess there can't be a better recommendation than the guys you saw with it.

Mine feels fantastic! It's off to Jeff now, but the handle is nice and Fat...fits the hand like a dream. The blade looks like a "good quality machete"...not pretty, but functional. It's light, and I can't wait to cut some stuff. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

the Kabar kukri is more than reliable i have had one for many years and it has been on major outings with me and never failed.
1. the grip is very nice gives a very nice grasp and very comfortable when chopping.
2. factory edge on mine at least came shaving sharp and held that edge for a long time.
3. cleans up easy and coating does not really drag on cuts
4. cheap
5. kukri my favorite blade only reason i dont use it anymore is i had a custom kukri made to my specs
6. comes with functional sheath almost all other brands you buy come with crap one with exception of few
7. only thing i think might be better but a bit bigger little more to carry is ontario 18 inch machete with molded d ring handle with d ring cut off so you dont bust your knuckles.

Thank you dawgs for all the intel. I bought a BGP, in spite of my disdain of the PRC manufacture location.

I was surprised that Miles was the only Kukri supporter. I've never owned any Kukri-shaped blade so I have no experience with them.

ESpock, a Kukri is the ultimate chopper in knife length blades (well maybe AFTER the Dog Father) but most of us don't really have much if any experience with them. And for a lot of us they are harder to sharpen, I think mostly due to what we use to sharpen our blades with (flat stones 2-4 inches wide).

Oh and I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the BG. Mine wasn't as sharp as I wanted but with literally just seconds spent sharpening it with a diamond hone, it is now where I like to keep my choppers. NO, NOT razor sharp, but with a more durable, toothy edge.

Now if Dan would just put out a 14 inch bladed .150 inch thick Res-c handled parang, he'd sell a BUNCH of them.

He could put out a combo of oh say the SS4 and the above mentioned parang, and make a killing.

I was pretty impressed with the Condor golok. It has a heavy-duty carbon steel blade with a distal taper.

I like the Cold Steel Magnum Kukri. I use it in North East Florida. I slash away at palmettos mostly but I have processed some oak with it and no edge damage at all. YMMV

Franco

Probably won't be cheap but this is one of the coolest machetes I've seen~