Though they are many types of machetes, few have had the effect on human history as the Panga Machete.
The Panga is sometimes called a “Rozador”, “Carribean” or African machete. In Swahili, “Panga” translates to “Big Knife”. It has a distinctive, upswept curved shape with an upturned tip.
Its deep belly provides it with immense chopping power. This makes it suitable for slightly thicker and woodier vegetation than say the “Latin American” type. The design also features three grooves “Tres Canales” which are said to help the blade flex and not snap under impact.
When colonial powers took slaves for harvesting sugar, it spread throughout the Caribbean. In Haiti, it was used in the only successful slave uprising the western hemisphere has seen since Spartacus.
Pangas are also the type of machetes used in Machete Fighting, and namely the Haitian art of “Tire Machét”. The distinctive point allows the blade to make powerful stabs as well as deep cuts and slices. Perfect for making holes in coconuts (as well as people) and shelling crabs.
Surprisingly, Pangas are not as popular as other types. Our list of the best panga machetes can help you hold a piece of history.
The Best 5 Panga Machetes of 2020
| Model | Image | Details | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condor Viking |   | 20" Blade 1075 HC Steel 26" Overall 2.5mm Thickness 2.02 lbs Leather Sheath | Read Our Review! |
| Cold Steel Panga |   | 16" Blade 1055 HC Steel 21.63" Total Anti-Rust Finish 21.4 oz 2mm thick | Read Our Review! |
| Caribbean Panga |   | 15.5" Blade Carbon Steel 21.5 Total Full-Tang Canvas Sheath | Read Our Review! |
| Marbles Swamp Master |   | 18" Blade Carbon Steel 24" Overall Full-Tang 1.2 lbs 2.33 mm | Read Our Review! |
| Okapi Panga |   | 14" Blade 1055 HC Steel 22.6" Total 2mm thick Made in South Africa | Read Our Review! |
Panga Machete Reviews
Condor Viking Machete Review
Condor Knifes and Tools make great machetes, and we reviewed their “El Salvador” ,”Bushcraft Parang” and “Golok” elsewhere on this website.
The Condor Viking comes in their staple 1075 steel. This is a really decent steel that has the best features of low-carbon and high carbon steel. It’s tough, durable and easy to sharpen.
The blade itself is 20″ and it’s tip heavy to really add muscle to your chopping power. The longer blade also gives you a great deal of range for additional safety, too. At 2.2lbs, it’s relatively lightweight for its length so it’s still fun to swing.
The length of the machete should really match your height (and not where you cut). If you hold in in your hand with your arm straight down, will it touch the ground? If your especially tall, the Viking machete will make your work quicker and easier. You won’t need to stoop over or crouch to make cuts at ground level.
Another key design feature to the Viking is that it’s partially sharpened on the reverse side, too. This means it will make cuts and slices on your backswings. It will really reduce the time taken for trail clearing and briars.
Usually, there’s a lot to be desired about the sheaths that come with cheap machetes. However, the one included is a durable stitched leather sheath. It snaps shut with three buttons to hold the blade securely. There’s also a belt loop for easy carry, too.
The main drawback with the Condor Viking is the price. It costs several times the other functional designs on this list. If you value a superior steel and are tired of having to pay extra for a decent sheath, it could work for you.
Cold Steel Panga Review
Cold Steel make a lot of great blades at great prices. What makes their Panga special is that it’s actually made by Lasher tools of South Africa. You’d expect them to be well skilled in making this particular blade design.
Still – what do you really expect for just [amazon_link asins=’B00HZIH4DQ’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’pocketknife06-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f19aa852-d3d8-11e6-8209-f560a01e133e’]. If these things matter to you, you might be better off with the Condor. However, the Cold Steel Parang has a lot going for it. It’s well constructed, easy to sharpen in the field with just a file and has an injection molded handle.
This last point might escape notice. Handle rivets loosening are a common problem in other machete types. So the Cold Steel Panga’s handle stays firm and fixed even after a lot of battoning.
One of the downsides is it’s hard to grip the handle when it’s wet. And you can expect to sweat quite a bit working a machete for long periods.
The blade length is 16″ long so it’s shorter than the Condor Viking, but you can still powerful full-force swings with it. Just click the thumbnail to see Cold Steel’s cutting video:
Impressive stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree. If you’re not put off by having to sharpen the blade, the Cold Steel Panga is an absolute bargain.
Swamp Master Review
Marbles is a Michigan company and has been in business for over 100 years. Their “Swamp Master” panga machete is manufactured by Imacasa in El Salvador, the parent company of Condor. So they know a lot about making machetes.
You can see a cutting test here:
The handle is 6″ of hardwood held in by three rivets. There is a large, brass lanyard hole. As you can see, the blade and handle is painted bright orange, and this is to help you find it in long grass and in the bush. Some people do take exception to the color and scrape it off without undue effort.
Another advantage is that the Swamp Master comes with a workable edge. Sure, it’s not hair-shaving sharp but it’s a lot sharper than other El Salvador machetes.
A downside to this panga is the handle. There are quite a few reports of it not sitting flush to the full-tang of the blade. It is still a workable tool, but you might need to do some work with some epoxy and a belt sander to stop seeing daylight through the pins.
Marbles have definitely got the panga design down (no doubt due to their African connections) at just [amazon_link asins=’B0050KLV2G’ template=’PriceLink’ store=’pocketknife06-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’aaefd54d-d4f1-11e6-81b3-658045df1e3c’] – it’s a great price. Just bear in mind that sadly doesn’t include the sheath, nor sharpening stone…