Reviews and Ratings for Ontario Field Machete 18" Blade, Orange Knuckle Guard - 8516

(4 reviews)

4 out of 5 stars

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1 star

Ontario Field Machete 18 inch Blade, Orange Knuckle Guard

Price: $37.95

Save $6.55 (15%) Off Retail

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David
WV

May 12, 2020

Pros: Weight, Overall Quality, Blade Material

Cons: None

A beast!

I clear russian olive, briers, vines, various creeping inundating vegetation. This tool excels because the steel is so hard and heavy. There is a smashing effect that busts through fiber even when the edge is dull. I find that muscling this is likely to pull tendons in my arm so I consciously do a golf swing type style, letting the weight do the work. It's a bi**h to sharpen. I wore out a large mill file but when I finally got the factory edge to field sharp, it doesn't need much after that. A few touch up strokes with a good file will bring it back. I find this machete to be the most effective non-motorized clearing tool ever. I simply wade into the jungle and beat it down. This machete doesn't quit. One fellow said his D handle broke on this tool. I haven't had a problem with these Ontario D handles. Mine are still working, no cracks or looseness. For the price this a great deal. This machete outperforms $100 machetes I have purchased. I also have the Ontario 12 inch and 18 inch, all with D handles. This is a hard core, no BS tool. You can't go wrong with an Ontario military machete.

Dane F
Conroe, Tx

Oct 22, 2012

Pros: Weight, Blade Material

Cons: Handle Material, Finish

With a little work, It's PERFECT!

Ok, so many of you might not have the capabilities that I have, BUT... This is a solid piece of heat treated 1095 steel. The handle SUCKS, and the Grind leaves much to be desired. But with a simple grind of the handle (belt grinder) and then changing the grind to a solid flat grind (using bare hands and dunking in water after ever pass to keep from destroying the heat treat) this machete is amazing. Chops like a dream! Before it chopped thick stuff fine, but anything under 1" it would bog down in, instead of slicing clean through like a normal machete would. With the full flat grind it chops thick stuff even better and slices through anything 2' and less with ease. I will have to admit the handle took a little more work than I wanted, and looking back I should have just cut the hole thing off and made a new one, but I was determined to do it at no additional cost. I had to grind through much of the plastic very slowly and even some of the tang in order to shape it correctly. But now it is a dream machete for an AMAZING price.

Terry
miami ok

Mar 25, 2013

Pros: Blade Material

Cons: Blade Sharpness

goood

this is a good useful tool. the first thing you need to do is reshape the edge. I am a surveyor so i use a machete all the time. take the bevel back about a inch with a file or belt sander. dont over heat the blade. it will be devasting chopper.You may choose to cut a finger groove in the handle after using and find your pinky finger tender from d guard. It is a good stout blade for your go bag instead of a hatchet.

C Nagy
Charlotte, NC

Jan 28, 2011

Pros: Weight

Cons: Handle Material

Functional

The weight of this machete makes it very functional for light to moderate clearing activities. I have used it to chop down 2 inch trees, when necessary. The weight also means that even a marginal edge will still get the job done. I have beat mine to death and sharpen it with a file. The edge is notched and rough, but it gets the job done. HOWEVER, the plastic handle is junk and broke not long after purchasing the machete. I now have to wear heavy gloves to use the machete and use a lanyard to keep it from flying out of my hand.