/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #61047

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Anonymous Fri 29 Mar 2013 23:20:40 No.61047 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>61369 >>61985 >>62373

My annual camping trip is coming up and this year i've decided to switch from an axe and saw to a machete, just for the reduced weight.

I've browsed around and since i don't want to spend a lot of money on one i've decided to choose between either the Cold Steel kukri machete or the Gerber Gator machete.

I know that CS has a bad rep because of CSF (i know this is not /k/), but i would like an unbiased opinion.

My pros for the CS kukri are: front weight, sturdiness, hard handle.
My cons for the CS kukri are: edge-retention, sheath, no shock resistance.

My pros for the Gerber gator are: Saw!, comfortable grip, sheath
My cons for the Gerber gator are: Length to thickness ratio, not so sturdy handle.

>pic is a gift

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 29 Mar 2013 23:23:21 No.61054 Report

Quoted By: >>61058

I've got the Gerber, and I love it. That saw feature is pretty fucking great, and more than makes up for the handle, imo.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 29 Mar 2013 23:26:12 No.61058 Report

Quoted By:

>>61054
I've read quite a few times that people use it more because of its saw than its blade. And that tips the odds for the gerber IMO.

I've seen that the handle has hexbolts, so im guessing you can tighten it, right? Does it get wobbly after a while?

Also how long have you had it?

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 29 Mar 2013 23:36:15 No.61085 Report

Quoted By:

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 29 Mar 2013 23:56:47 No.61173 Report

Quoted By:

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 00:07:57 No.61196 Report

Quoted By: >>61297

CS is pretty hit and miss with their products. I wouldn't recommend them but I've had one of those no name $10 machetes that you find at Walmart and other places last me for around 5 years now. I might have just gotten lucky, though.
If you like the saw then Ontario has a good one. I personally would rather just carry a folding saw with replaceable blades if you are going to be doing anything more than light work because they are a bitch to sharpen and they really don't weigh all that much.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 00:40:06 No.61297 Report

Quoted By: >>61314

>>61196
So in your experience you would recommend getting a machete and saw separate?

I've thought about this being a possible problem, namely because a saw back cannot be batoned. And batoning is a major use element of the machete.

Also, would like to hear arguments against CS kukri machete. So far i've seen it stand incredibly well against all sorts of punishment.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 00:45:57 No.61314 Report

Quoted By: >>61329

>>61297
Yes. Multi-use items nowadays are shitty.
You can baton just fine but the saw won't stand up to much and there is a reason saws aren't made in the same way as a machete.
>arguments against CS
Hit and miss products. I don't know enough about the kukri to tell you specifically but for past experience the folders have bad locks, the steel is often poor quality, and is generally badly made but sometimes they make things that will last for years if properly cared for. There is no real way of verifying if you are getting trash or a quality blade with CS or any other big manufacturer.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 00:52:18 No.61329 Report

Quoted By: >>61336

>>61314
You're right, and i do share your views about folding mechanism, i've even seen a 40 dollar model with plastic bearings. That being said, the kukri machete is a thick piece of metal with a resilient handle (or so the reviews say). My biggest concern is really the steel itself.

My worry with the gator is the length (it can bend and break), and the saw, well as you said, should be bought separately and it cannot be batoned, hence its probably not a good choice.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 00:55:57 No.61336 Report

Quoted By:

>>61329
>thick piece of metal with resilient handle
If that is the only reason you want it then you'd be better off getting an old mower blade, a file and some hickory.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 01:07:14 No.61369 Report

Quoted By:

>>61047
If your main concern is length look into the Gator Jr. It's comparable in size to the CS and still doubles as a saw.

I just picked up one myself a few days ago. Haven't had the chance to use it yet but I can tell you it has both a sturdy blade and handle as well as a comfy grip. Only complaint is it was quite dull out-of-box but I fixed that by sharpening it.

Swede !i.kb1O6KGY

Swede !i.kb1O6KGY Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:31:09 No.61683 Report

Quoted By:

Why no bells for the grizzley bear?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:43:23 No.61700 Report

Quoted By: >>61705 >>61706 >>61711 >>61717 >>62080

>the art of manliness

I-Is this thing legit?

Is intimidating/fighting back really the right thing to do vs a black bear?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:46:12 No.61705 Report

Quoted By: >>61717

>>61700
Yes

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:47:19 No.61706 Report

Quoted By: >>61717

>>61700
It's its brown lay down, if its black fight back. If a black bear is attacking you, and not running away, it wants you to die.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:48:12 No.61711 Report

Quoted By:

>>61700
Yes. It is the thing to do with everything but big cats.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:50:03 No.61717 Report

Quoted By: >>61722 >>61730 >>61774

>>61700
>>61705
>>61706
If a bear is charging you, you WON'T be able to tell if it's a small grizzly with black fur, or a Black Bear. And black bears can have brown fur, too.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:51:06 No.61722 Report

Quoted By:

>>61717
I can, been hunting bear and helping with my families guide service since I was young.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 03:55:25 No.61730 Report

Quoted By: >>61745

>>61717
Color doesn't matter, any decent outdoorsman can tell the diffirence from a quick look at its face and/or shoulders.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 04:01:17 No.61745 Report

Quoted By: >>61785

>>61730
If you see it. Most encounters I had with bears was a loud noise in some bush 30 feet off the trail, then a black bear running off into the woods.
Had they run towards me, I wouldn't even have seen them before the attack.
Grizzlies were less scary, they were either visible from far away, or you didn't even notice them at all cause they gtfo long before.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 04:14:19 No.61774 Report

Quoted By:

>>61717
I can because there's only black bears where I live

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 04:18:39 No.61785 Report

Quoted By: >>61794

>>61745
The two kinds usually act way differently as well.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 04:22:07 No.61794 Report

Quoted By: >>61938

>>61785
That's all well in theory, but during an attack it won't help you all that much. The only thing you can really do if a bear charges is get your pepper spray out in time, if you're lucky.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 05:36:27 No.61938 Report

Quoted By: >>61957

>>61794
I don't carry spray, if a bear charges me one of us is going to die, I haven't lost yet.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 05:45:00 No.61957 Report

Quoted By: >>61964

>>61938
I always carry spray. Had 18 bear encounters so far (12 black, 6 grizzlies). Been mock charged twice (both by black bears, I think), haven't used the spray once, yet.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 05:49:10 No.61964 Report

Quoted By: >>61967

>>61957
I've shot most that I've encountered, since I help my family's guide service, and i hunt. However when baiting I've had more than one bear sit 20 feet away and wait till I leave.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 05:51:25 No.61967 Report

Quoted By: >>62003

>>61964
Did you hunt them or did you just shoot every bear you saw in self defense?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 06:14:47 No.61985 Report

Quoted By:

>>61047
>>grizzly

>>europe

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 06:24:13 No.62003 Report

Quoted By:

>>61967
I track the wounded ones that the city people shoot. I've had 6 actually charge me when cornered, others I've hunted. I've not had to shoot any in self defense besides those.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:05:16 No.62052 Report

Quoted By: >>62059 >>62078

I never carry guns, and someone trying shoot a black bear is a stupid asshole. But, if I was in grizzly territory, I think I'd have to start carrying a shotgun.

If you respond to a black bear by shooting it, it's because you're either a blood thirsty ass, or it's because you're too damned stupid to realize how easy it is to deal with them without anyone dying.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:08:34 No.62059 Report

Quoted By: >>62065

>>62052
Because bears always act in predictable ways and you never walk on a trail that happens to lead right between a sow on one side and her cubs on the other, or a wounded bear that can't retreat away from you.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:16:10 No.62065 Report

Quoted By: >>62077

>>62059
Sure, sometimes you also have to open your eyes. Hell, human beings are unpredictable. But I don't shoot them when they look at me funny.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:34:57 No.62077 Report

Quoted By: >>62079

>>62065
>sometimes you also have to open your eyes
>implying you can control all situations
>implying shooting at bears in specific circumstances = shooting at all bears every time

And I'm done talking to you.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:35:02 No.62078 Report

Quoted By:

>>62052
>someone trying shoot a black bear is a stupid asshole
I hunt them, I don't just try to shoot them. I've also killed several that were getting into the garbage of local resorts, those I don't eat.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:36:01 No.62079 Report

Quoted By:

>>62077
Don't argue with a fool etc etc

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:38:13 No.62080 Report

Quoted By: >>62086

>>61700
Black bears are the only ones that *may* (but usually don't) see you as potential food and attack offensively. Grizzly bears will see you as a threat if anything and attack defensively. And polar bears see you as the tastiest delicacy in the world and will hunt your motherfucking ass down.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:50:25 No.62084 Report

Quoted By: >>62088

Is there a reason to keep these dangerous animals alive?
From what I understand they are at the top of the food chain and it wouldn't matter if they went extinct.
Everytime people say I should care about the polar bears, I think how easily they could kill me and I'm happy they are dying out.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:51:55 No.62086 Report

Quoted By: >>62091

>>62080
Grizzlies may also do that if they're starving. And all black bears I've ever encountered hauled ass out of their as soon as they saw me.
While the only bear that ever tried to get inside my tent to cuddle was a grizzly.
Those graphs help nothing to decide how to act.
A better guideline is:
>If a bear walks away or stays in place, walk away slowly, facing him.
>If a bear approaches, stand your ground.
>If a bear comes closer than 25 feet, use bear spray or shoot it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:56:16 No.62088 Report

Quoted By:

>>62084
We killed off all animals at the top of the food chain in Germany. Now the deer bite off all young saplings and run in front of cars, and the boar destroy a lot of crops unless they're hunted all the time.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 07:59:05 No.62089 Report

Quoted By: >>62092

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America

Take a look at this. Interesting in that a lot of stupid people, taking pictures of bears and stuff. Also black bears kill as many people as brown.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 08:01:55 No.62091 Report

Quoted By:

>>62086
For black bear you stand your ground(unless cubs obviously) and wait till it leaves. Usually it'll circle you out of sight, popping its jaws, woofing etc, then leave if you don't.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 08:03:18 No.62092 Report

Quoted By: >>62108 >>62113

>>62089
Another interesting thing. It seems more women are killed by black bears and more men by brown bears.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 08:33:50 No.62108 Report

Quoted By:

>>62092
That's because black bears are wusses and bullies, and grizzlys fight with honor.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 08:40:29 No.62113 Report

Quoted By: >>62119

>>62092
Well with a black bear you intimidate them to leave, women are weak looking. I'd imagine most women wouldn't be out much where grizzlies are present either.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 08:43:15 No.62119 Report

Quoted By:

>>62113
Looks don't matter, but women are pretty bad at intimidating behaviour when it comes to bears.
And higher voices sound more like prey animals than competing but stronger predators.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 09:24:38 No.62140 Report

Quoted By:

What is the size limit of a tree you could cut down with a machete? I don't see it working out.

Camping up in private property(where we were allowed to cut down trees for shelter/tools) in B.C. We brought an axe some saws and a neat little thin balded axe designed to take branches off cut down trees. On a minimalist trip to the same area we brought a saw with only two blades and were still able to take down trees with a diameter of 6-7 inches by doing 1 horizontal cut near the base to about halfway in then cutting a 45 angle down on the same side to the halfway point and knocking the wedge out, then we would cut horizontally into that center point from the other side while applying some pressure towards the open wedge side. The tree falls into the wedge side and we drag it out into the open and propped it up and sawed off the branches.

I wonder if there is a reasonable way to have an axe head that is removable so it can sit centered in your pack and use the handle as a walking stick. Something about a removable axe head seems dubious.

If I had to bring one wood cutting tool it would probably be an axe but if weight was a large consideration the saw can do it all at a fraction of the weight. I can't imagine a machete being able to do that.

The camping property was bought specifically for cutting wood and had been zoned as such. There were a few species like birch that we were told we could cut and told to leave everything else alone. We used fallen wood were possible and only cut when we needed to. IIRC the birch trees grow like weeds there and can interfere with more desirable tree growth.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 15:28:59 No.62373 Report

Quoted By:

>>61047
i have both and the cs kukri blows the gator out of the water. im positive its a higher carbon steel and it holds its edge VERY well. whats more is its very stout and hard to flex so you dont get that wiggly blade you find on longer thinner blades. and as for shock resistance it doesnt seem to be a problem, but then i do have beefy hands. the only thing i really like about the gator is the handle, the sheath, and the saw surprised me too. overall its decent but it doesnt come close to the cs kukri or even my ontario. ontario makes a mean machete for a few dollars more.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Sat 30 Mar 2013 15:32:50 No.62379 Report

Quoted By:

I have a Gerber Gator and love the thing, it sharpens easily and I have taken down trees up to 5 inches thick with it.

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