choosing a machete for the sheath?

[geronimotwo]

I've been wanting to get my girls a camping/survival machete.  there are many options available, but the two that grab my attention are made by marbles, mainly because their sheath has pockets.  they also include a sharpening stone in one of the pockets and I could add a fire starter and some other goodies.   I have heard good things about their survival shovel in the past, but have no personal experience with their equipment.  the ad says "carbon steel", but doesn't specify what type. does anyone have first hand experience with the quality of their steel?  any preference on the wood vs plastic grip?  i'm curious why more companies don't have pockets on similar products?

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Marble%26%23146%3Bs+Outdoors/Marble%27s%C2%AE+Scouting+Jungle+Machete/MA12714.html

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/products/Marble%26%23146%3Bs+Outdoors/Marble%27s%C2%AE+Black+Machete/MA12714BLT.html

[Tallpine]

I dunno ... I think I might just get a separate pouch/sheath for the other stuff.

I've always been a little dubious of those holsters with six cartridge loops on the outside 

[Harold Tuttle]

corneta's are fancy:

[lee n. field]

corneta's are fancy:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_zYVXpWl9Pa4/TFONfYKZWjI/AAAAAAAAHN4/wivvgG74ayU/s1600/SBW_2222.JPG

Looks like stuff my brother came back from 2 years in Guatamela with.

[charby]

A file will sharpen a machete and be quicker than a stone. You are whacking brush with it, not carving meat.

[geronimotwo]

I dunno ... I think I might just get a separate pouch/sheath for the other stuff.

I've always been a little dubious of those holsters with six cartridge loops on the outside  

duly noted,  but I like the idea of them grabbing the knife and having the other stuff on board.
 
they would likely appreciate the cornetta's sheath, any problem with the steel?

[Perd Hapley]

i'm curious why more companies don't have pockets on similar products?

That probably means that most customers don't want that feature, or won't pay extra for it. Fewer features allow the supplier to charge less, I suppose.

I think most machetes are sold without a sheath.

[Perd Hapley]

The orange one looks interesting, but I have a machete with a similarly-shaped handle, and it blisters the dickens out of my hand. YMMV

[geronimotwo]

The orange one looks interesting, but I have a machete with a similarly-shaped handle, and it blisters the dickens out of my hand. YMMV

my machete is an old military with a similar wooden handle.  it fits me well, but agree that it can be rough for extended use. 

[tokugawa]

tape the handle with friction tape and use gloves. And find one with a stub at the end of the handle so it does not slip out of a tired hand.
 The old USMC ones are pretty good, but they are probably all in collections now.......

[Perd Hapley]

tape the handle with friction tape and use gloves. And find one with a stub at the end of the handle so it does not slip out of a tired hand.

My solution was to use a different machete.

[tokugawa]

Still gotta hold it somehow...... unless you have Jedi mind control!

[Perd Hapley]

The one I had a problem with was one of the South African made machetes sold by Cold Steel. I think the main problem is that the handle is too thick. And I think my hands are normal-dude-sized hands. I guess. Could also be that the texture was not grippy enough. I may try to cut that grip down sometime. Modestly-priced machetes can be good fodder for tinkering.

[AJ Dual]

I'm perfectly happy with an $15 one by Fiskars I got at Home Depot.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Axes-and-Striking-Tools/Machete-18#.UfyZUtLMA-A

I use it for brush clearing and improving the shooting lanes at my club's multi-stage archery/deer stations for club work-hours. It cuts well and seems just right for an actual... well, machete-machete, assuming one does not want one to be a I'm-too-embarassed-to-admit-I-want-a-short-sword-"machete". For that, something a bit beefier might fit the bill.

No sheath, since Fiskars figures you're going to just hang it in the garage with the rakes, but: http://burnsarmysurplus.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18

Or it would be pretty easy to fab one up with a scrap of Kydex, a drill bit, paint-stripper heat gun, and some paracord in about 30 minutes of work. The lacing pattern you make in it could hold onto all the utility pouches you might want.

[Perd Hapley]

I'm perfectly happy with an $15 one by Fiskars I got at Home Depot.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Axes-and-Striking-Tools/Machete-18#.UfyZUtLMA-A

You bought it for the Bear Grylls color scheme, didntcha? 

[geronimotwo]

I'm perfectly happy with an $15 one by Fiskars I got at Home Depot.

http://www2.fiskars.com/Gardening-and-Yard-Care/Products/Axes-and-Striking-Tools/Machete-18#.UfyZUtLMA-A

I use it for brush clearing and improving the shooting lanes at my club's multi-stage archery/deer stations for club work-hours. It cuts well and seems just right for an actual... well, machete-machete, assuming one does not want one to be a I'm-too-embarassed-to-admit-I-want-a-short-sword-"machete". For that, something a bit beefier might fit the bill.

i've been happy with the fiskar products as well.  the shorter (marbles) ones i am looking at have a slightly thicker blade which is not ideal for traditional machetying, but tend to be better for light chopping (and would make a better short sword, now that you mention it).

[Lee]

A Woodsmans Pal is a functional gift that will last them a lifetime.

[geronimotwo]

A Woodsmans Pal is a functional gift that will last them a lifetime.

but you can't stick a pig with it, if the need arizes.

[Hawkmoon]

My solution was to use a different machete.

My solution is to use a Woodsman's Pal



http://www.woodmanspal.com/products/woodmans-pal-military-premium-tool-only

[roo_ster]

I like the orange one.

These days I like my woodsy gear to be obnoxiously bright colored, so go with the orange 'chete.  I like to be able to see gear when I drop it.

Also, if it is for smaller folk, a plastic handle ground down to fit, sanded, and wrapped with some grippy tape is nice.  Did that for SWMBO, a 5'-nuthin gal.