What is the best steel for machete blades? It is a question that is frequently asked but the answer is inevitably not as straightforward as some would want! As many experts can confirm, machetes are primarily differentiated based on the type of blade they have. A carbon steel blade will behave and feel a lot differently from a stainless steel blade. Also, we have the newer models featuring blades made from refined, high-carbon stainless steel blades.
These three categories represent the most durable and well-made machetes available on the market today. Depending on the one you choose, you will have a very different experience, both in terms of how light and durable the blade will be, and in other ways as well.
Why Choose Stainless Steel?
The most basic blades are made from stainless steel. This has been the material of choice for machetes during past years, and it continues to be a popular one today.
Today, however, stainless steel just means carbon steel with an added portion of nickel and chromium. The price is generally higher. The chromium and nickel have the tole to protect the steel from oxidation, so stainless steel blades tend to be extremely durable.
Two other benefits of stainless steel blades are that you don’t have to work too hard to reshape them, and that they will never require as much maintenance as a carbon steel blade. That will make your machete a lot more manageable and easy to use at the same time.
Is Carbon Steel a Better Choice?
An even more traditional choice than stainless steel is a carbon steel blade. Carbon steel machetes have blades made from a mixture of iron and carbon, giving the blade added strength and ensuring that it’s slightly more brittle than regular steel. Carbon steel has been around since the dawn of the iron age, and it will stay sharp for a long time once you sharpen it.
The only downside is that, because of its immense durability, steel is much harder to re-sharpen. Fortunately, newer sharpening methods exist that make the process more convenient for beginners, and carbon steel also remains one of the cheapest types of blades on the market.
The Advancements of High Carbon Stainless Steel
High carbon stainless steel adds to the brittle nature of regular carbon steel and combines it with the oxidation-proof construction of a stainless steel blade. According to many experts, this is not only the newest, but also the best combination of materials when it comes to fashioning the perfect machete blade.
Stainless steel high carbon machetes will often feature blades that are just as durable as carbon steel, but also have the protection that a stainless steel blade offers. Due to their rust resistance, they are able to last even longer than a common carbon steel blade, and due to the higher concentration of carbon, they are easier to modify and re-sharpen.
If you want the best survival machete blade for your money, either one of these three choices will be suitable. You simply have to make your decision regarding which of them will be best suited to your needs and which will help you avoid any budget issues as well.
