I need a machete for bush bashing

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Where can I buy a decent machete knife? If I head back to the Northern Prom. I want to have a machete handy !!!

[ofuros]

http://www.forestrytools.com.au/index.php?id=754
http://www.forestrytools.com.au/index.php?id=467
http://www.forestrytools.com.au/index.php?id=828
Good service & fast delivery

I'm sure Bunnings & any other large hardware stores have them in the garden tool section too.

[Lophophaps]

Machetes are hard work. You may do better with a pair of light pruning cutters. Maybe both.

[Gadgetgeek]

if your nearest surplus/disposal has tramontia machetes you are half way there. They are cheap, and generally need a sheath made, (cardboard and duct tape work) and a little sanding of the handle. Sharpening is pretty easy with some 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. just lay the paper on a soft surface like a bit of neoprene or similar, and run the blade backwards over it. 16 inch is a good balance between power and weight.

[Strider]

Isn't the prom a national park?

[Stew63]

Machetes are hard work. You may do better with a pair of light pruning cutters. Maybe both.

^^^This^^^ I would also go the pruning cutters and/or a light bush or pruning saw.

[north-north-west]

No you don't. Harden up and learn to walk through scrub.
Besides, as has been mentioned, the Prom is a National Park and cutting of vegetation by visitors is banned.

[Moondog55]

No you don't. Harden up and learn to walk through scrub.
Besides, as has been mentioned, the Prom is a National Park and cutting of vegetation by visitors is banned.

Besides the vegetation in that area can't be cut with a machete, machetes only work well on soft rainforest vegetation.

[neilmny]

Isn't the prom a national park?

x2 - Though shalt not it's a national park!

[Imprint]

Can't go past the Cold Steel Bolo
http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/97LBM/ ... CHETE.aspx

If you can get it sharpened by one of those mobile knife sharpening guys - they'll set a new edge which is a a lot easier to maintain when out bush.

[stry]

If you have far to go, it simply is not practicable to cut your way through.

Whether or not you have far to go, it will be easier and probably quicker to either thread your way though (bit harsh NNW ) or go around.

In some stuff, particularly blackberries, it's often possible to get up on it and walk/stagger/stumble over the top.

In this age of obsession with the small screen, the "go around" option seems to not be thought of, but it does work rather well.

Not that fussed about a minor snip here and there in a NP.

[walkabout]

Not harsh at all. The "go around" option doesn't make for good "reality" tv but it could be a good test for navigation skills.
.

[Snowzone]

No you don't. Harden up and learn to walk through scrub.
Besides, as has been mentioned, the Prom is a National Park and cutting of vegetation by visitors is banned.

Exactly!

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Alright , No pruning/slashing the way to make the track easier in a Nat. Park. You are right. However the rangers /track workers do clear the tracks once every year or two .
I can cope with bush bashing but not on every single hike. Yes I do walk around impenetrable walls of vegetation. Yes I can and do use a map and compass.
I did ask and look around at Bunnings and they had nothing like I had in mind. The chap there didn't even know what I was talking about when I said " a machete for hacking through a jungle ".
;-P

[perfectlydark]

Are you talking about going off track or not? If on track you shouldnt need it. If off track you shouldnt be cutting a new track through.
so no, you dont really need it. Wear long sleeves, go around tough sections. Its pretty easy.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I shall not be slashing anything in a National park with any sharp tool. I did warm to the idea retrospectively .I do wear long sleeves and pants if I am forewarned about some tough bush bashing ahead. The Northern Prom circuit was indeed just one of those such trips. If there is a track in some places it is often over head height in scrub and thickets.

[Suz]

you need to hit up the edward scissorhands costume dept. that'd sort you out. or maybe just a scythe: http://geekologie.com/2015/04/oldschool ... s-weed.php

[Lophophaps]

you need to hit up the edward scissorhands costume dept. that'd sort you out. or maybe just a scythe: http://geekologie.com/2015/04/oldschool ... s-weed.php

What a wonderful idea. Two questions. Where can I find the bloke with the scythe and who will carry the striped tent? Are mules allowed in national parks?

[NathanaelB]

I did give a Gerber Parang a go while trying to navigate patches of gorse or dense nettle while living in NZ, but it's useless ... not just that particular tool but the parang convex format with non-jungle vegetation. There's not enough leverage.

The brush thinners ofuros linked to on Forestry Tools (one of my fave online stores) would probably do the trick, or other flat or concave edges like the sickle style or hawkbill http://www.machetespecialists.com/tyofma.html