ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete 12.375" Condor Classic Finish Blade, Micarta Handles, Tan Canvas Sheath
* Pricing Info

$93.95

MSRP* : $139.56 | You Save* : $45.61 (33%)
rated 3.6 stars out of 5 Read 5 reviewsWrite a Review
Part #: RCDARIEN | ESEE Knives
In Stock
Calculate Shipping
Save to Wishlist
Earn 940 knifeREWARDS Points!

Description

RCDARIEN: Darien Machete

ESEE Knives

The Darien machete features an ergonomic Micarta handle for all-day comfort and a 12.375" blade, measuring 18.1875" overall. It weighs a mere 15.5 ounces and comes standard with a rugged, tan-colored canvas sheath. With 1075 steel construction, the Darien is a chopping machine whether in the Amazon or the jungle in your own backyard. It features the same "no questions asked" warranty as the standard ESEE Knives line.

Expat Knives was born out of adventure. Adventures where the right tool can help squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of the experience, rather than detract from it. Tools that last as long as the memories. Tools that reflect life over the horizon: simple and timeless. Whether camping in the Himalayas, building a fire to stay warm in bombed-out bunkers in the Balkans, stalking elk along the Salmon River in Idaho, canoeing the Boundary Waters, or building a bamboo shelter in the Amazon, an adventure is there to be had. Whatever your adventure, Expat Knives are designed to enhance it, to enable you to thrive not only in the field but in the kitchen as well. And with any luck, you may just be fortunate enough for those two places to be one and the same. Get out there. Live life intentionally. Make memories. And take an Expat Knife with you.

WHO IS EXPAT?

Yes, "Expat" is a real person. A trainer, adventurer, world traveler and a lot of other things mixed in between. While working in some of the more sketchy corners of South America, Expat contacted ESEE in the search for high-quality, worst case scenario jungle survival training. Thus began a close association that has lasted for over 15 years. Expat has logged thousands of miles throughout the third world, sometimes with the ESEE team, but always with ESEE products. From armored motorcades in Colombia and trekking in the Himalayas, to earthquakes in El Salvador and hunting in the Balkans, ESEE Knives have been a constant companion. He has been a student, a translator, and an instructor for Randall's Adventure Training. Throughout his time overseas, he has developed some unique insights on tools and adventures and is currently working with ESEE to bring these designs and experiences to others. What began with a cleaver will end up... well, who knows? That's the whole point of the Expat Experience.

Specifications

  • Blade Length: 12.375"
  • Handle Length: 5.8125"
  • Overall Length: 18.1875"
  • Blade Material: 1075 Carbon Steel
  • Blade Thickness: 0.094"
  • Blade Hardness: 54-56HRC
  • Blade Style: Machete
  • Blade Grind: Flat
  • Blade Finish: Condor Classic
  • Handle Material: Micarta
  • Sheath Material: Canvas
  • Sheath Color: Tan
  • Weight: 15.5 oz.
  • Weight with Sheath: 20.0 oz.
  • Made in El Salvador

UPC Code: 811328025602

Related Categories

ESEE Knives, ESEE Expat Knives Series, 1075 Blade Steel, Micarta Handle Material, Fixed Blade Knives, Fixed Blade Knives Machetes, Made in El Salvador

Badges

Product Handle Badge: Micarta Handles
Product Steel Type Badge: 1075 Carbon Steel

Customer Reviews

ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete 12.375" Condor Classic Finish Blade, Micarta Handles, Tan Canvas Sheathrated 3.600 stars out of 5 (5 reviews)
3.6 out of 5 stars
5 star
3
4 star
0
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
1
ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete 12.375" Condor Classic Finish Blade, Micarta Handles, Tan Canvas Sheath
rated 5 stars out of 5
Robert
 Clearwater Florida
Feb 08, 2022
Pros: Blade Sharpness, Weight, Overall Quality, Materials, Handle Material
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard
Understand what you are buying, the knife is worth it.
I collect more than I abuse, but this goes with most things I collect. The Darien Expat is my 14th machete in my current collection. I have a variety of special purpose machetes. This is important to understand, all machetes and most knives are built to meet specific functions. Machetes range from solid chunks of steel to “bendy” spring steel, from knives to swords, from heavy cleavers to ultra lite knives, they all tend to purpose built. I included this breakdown, to help those that think any tool is the right tool?😆 It’s not! There is no perfect tool for everything and machetes are no exception. That being the case, I want to say why I believe this tool to be a great value that you can enjoy. The Darien Expat knife is designed as a small machete with influences of both bolo and parang. 1075 steel, springy yet easy to sharpen! This always comes at a price, it means it will need more honing/sharpening than hard steel machetes. This is a feature if you understand the benefits of easy to sharpen. The micarta handle scales are beautifully made, smooth, and ergonomic, and a sign of quality. The sheath is very good, for a canvas sheath.The cons are : the guard is too small to protect your hand so a tight laniard is needed to help prevent cutting your hand, in some tasks; the sheath does not stop the knife from being pulled, even while fully secured. A better Kidex sheath recommended. I am designing a sheath for my knife that will have better retention. Finally I cannot say this is a perfect tool for all bladed tasks, because such a tool does not exist. This machete is a well designed affordable quality tool that I am very happy with. The sheath, less so. If you can live with the realities or replace the sheath and hone more often, then I know you will like this machete as much as I do. Robert
ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete 12.375" Condor Classic Finish Blade, Micarta Handles, Tan Canvas Sheath
rated 5 stars out of 5
Andrew
 Lewisville, TX
Oct 15, 2021
Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard, Blade Sharpness
Mine's a winner!
I'll be honest: the mixed reviews had me really going back and forth on this one. Glad I bought it anyway, as mine has demonstrated solid edge retention.It merits noting that while this is indeed made by Condor in El Salvador, it does carry ESEE's no questions asked warranty, so my advice is to buy one, test it to whatever degree you need to be satisfied it will be trustworthy and if it passes, give it a quick sharpening and enjoy. If it fails, you'll easily be able to swap it for a good one.That concern out of the way, we can now talk about the knife's other qualities:I'm of the school of thought that a good machete should be nimble, able to mow through brush, tall grass, and light limb chopping with very little effort exerted and that's exactly what this blade delivers in spades. If you're looking for a monster tank chopper to completely eliminate your need to pack a hatchet/axe, this isn't gonna do it for you.I will mention that I was concerned the stock thickness was thin enough that the blade could flex under hard use, but the progressive nature of the grind prevents that. It's thinner than most machetes on the market, but it's still rock solid. The spine is nicely finished in my opinion. Comfortable in all grips, but sharp enough for bark-scraping purposes. It should be noted that it does not have a 90 degree spine for striking a ferro rod, which I consider a plus. Ferro rods come with strikers for a reason; Using your knife (an inferior tool) is just silly.In the nit-picking department: the grind on mine isn't totally even. It's enough that it's noticeable, but not enough that it in any way affects sharpening or cutting. The factory edge was an acceptable working edge, but a couple dozen strokes on the fine stones of a Spyderco Sharpmaker turned it into a slicing terror (gotta love simple carbon steels for sharpenability!).I love the handle: Micarta is my jam to begin with and the handle is VERY beefy, but nicely rounded (with an overall ovoid shape, so it doesn't twist in your hand in use). People with small hands may struggle, but it's perfect for my hands (I'm generally between a Large and Extra-Large glove size, for reference). The pommel-end isn't finished as nicely as it could be (it's more a series of straight grinds than a consistent curve), but that's an area your hand is never on so it doesn't matter. The lanyard hole is placed well and I definitely recommend the use of a paracord lanyard with any machete.The only thing I can really find fault with is the sheath, which seems like it was designed for something longer. Because of this, the blade won't sit securely at the bottom of the handle, and once the handle goes in, the whole thing twists a bit because it is not wide enough. Not a big deal, but it is slightly annoying that it rides with an outward cant on your belt because of this. The "retention" loop with snap is a joke. It is far, far too long and the entirely blade easily comes out/goes in whether it is undone or not. I'm flirting with the idea of shortening it so I can have some positive retention from this sheath, but I'm more inclined to just get a custom sheath instead. The factory sheath is serviceable - the nylon is thick and durable so it's not going to fall apart on you, it just fits the knife very very poorly, so it's really only held in by gravity. My personal activities don't involve me inverting myself, but if yours do this could be a deal-breaker with this sheath.All in all, it's my dream machete made real. A refined bolo that keeps the weight light and the performance high. If that sounds like your kind of thing, I very much recommend the Darien.
ESEE Knives Expat Darien Machete 12.375" Condor Classic Finish Blade, Micarta Handles, Tan Canvas Sheath
rated 2 stars out of 5
Dann
 Oklahoma
Feb 16, 2021
Pros: Weight, Handle Material
Cons: Overall Quality, Blade Material, Materials, Blade Sharpness
Almost useless for lack of edge retention
This lightweight and fun to swing package rolled its edge on small limbs and dried brambles. I picked up a rock off the ground and buffed out the rolls. An Old Hickory kitchen knife of similar length is more useful. I regret spending my money on this.
Read all 5 Reviews »