Ontario "Military" Machete 1-18

Vendor:Ontario

Ontario "Military" Machete 1-18

Sale price$54.99Regular price $69.99
Description

The Ontario 1-18 Military Machete is an American-made machete with an 18" black-coated carbon steel blade, a full tang, and riveted black polymer grips. Ontario Knife Company has built this pattern under U.S. government specifications for more than 70 years, and it is the same basic machete GIs carried from World War II onward. This is a new production machete in retail packaging, not issued surplus.

Short and Sweet

  • Ontario Knife Company 1-18 Military Machete
  • 23.3" (59.18 cm) overall with an 18" (45.72 cm) blade
  • 1095 carbon steel, about 1/8" thick, black zinc phosphate finish
  • Full tang with black polymer grips and steel rivets
  • Lanyard hole
  • Scabbard sold separately
  • Made in USA
  • Condition: New

Ontario Knife and the GI Machete

Ontario Knife Company takes its name from Ontario County, New York, where the company was incorporated in Naples in 1902. During World War II, Ontario produced 18" machetes for American troops in the Pacific and Europe, and wartime examples stamped "Ontario Knife Co." with a 1943 date still turn up on the collector market. The design has barely changed since. It uses a classic Latin machete profile: a straight, flat-backed blade that widens slightly toward the tip for chopping power. Ontario still makes the 1-18 under government specifications, which is why it remains the reference point for American military machetes.

1095 Steel and a Full Tang

The blade is 1095 carbon steel, about 1/8" thick, hardened to roughly 50 to 55 HRC. That softer temper is intentional on a machete, since the edge flexes and rolls instead of chipping when it hits a knot or a buried rock, and you can bring it back with a file in the field. A black zinc phosphate coating protects the steel from rust and cuts glare. The full tang runs the length of the handle, with shatterproof polymer grips secured by steel compression rivets and a lanyard hole at the butt. A scabbard is sold separately.

Brush, Trail, and Backyard

Survey crews, landscapers, hunters, and property owners rely on the 1-18 for clearing brush, cutting vines, and opening trails, and one owner reports chopping branches over an inch thick without trouble. Another says theirs has worked around the house and in the field for more than 25 years. At about 1.5 pounds, it has enough weight to bite into wood but stays light enough to swing all afternoon. Reviewers often call it one of the best machetes to start with, and at its price it costs a fraction of most premium bushcraft choppers. If you have large hands or wear thick work gloves, note that some owners find the grip on the small side.

 

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Curious About Sizing?

Given the massive variety of clothing we carry, a standard sizing guide is incredibly helpful for customers seeking the best fit.

Please understand that surplus varies widely in fit and cut and this sizing chart is general advice rather than tailor-level fitting.

Nearly every military has different sizing charts and schemes, which is why we've taken the time to put together this brief tutorial.

 

Jacket & Shirt Sizing

In absence of an established military size chart, we measure each jacket or shirt from armpit to armpit to get a rough idea of how it fits. If a garment is between sizes, we mark it one size down. For example, if a shirt measures 19.75" from pit to pit, it is marked as a small rather than medium.

To measure pit to pit, close up your shirt or jacket and measure from armpit to armpit. 

This is our measurement guide that we use to measure garments without an existing military size chart:

14"-15" PtP = XXS

16-17" PtP = Extra Small

18"-19" PtP = Small

20-21" PtP = Medium

22-23" PtP = Large

24-25" PtP = Extra Large

26-27" PtP = XXL

28-29" PtP = 3XL

Pant Sizing

We typically convert pants to US waist and inseam sizes. If a pair of pants is between sizes, we mark it one size down. For example, if a pair of pants measures as a 33 waist, it is marked as a 32 waist.

To take these measurements we lay a pair of pants flat on the ground. We then measure across the waist and double the measurement. For example, if a pair of pants measures 16" across the waist it will fit a US 32 waist.

To determine inseam we measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the cuff. For example, it a pair of pants measures 30" from the crotch seam to the bottom of the cuff we will list it as a 30 inseam or 30L.

Surplus Condition Guide

  1. Unissued
  2. These items are brand new. They may sometimes exhibit signs of storage. They may be new in their original factory packaging, but most times will not be. 
  3. Issued; Good / Issued
  4. These items are in issued/used condition but are fully functional. This grade of surplus item may also exhibit signs of use such as stampings, small stains or general dirtiness.
  5. Issued items will not have missing or broken buttons, zippers or be missing any functional components unless noted as such in the product description. Any items you purchase that are marked as "Issued; Good" but exhibit these defects will be replaced free of charge by Americana Pipedream.
  6. Grade 2
  7. These items are in issued/used condition but have defects that impede function. This may include missing buttons, broken zippers, holes and tears. They may also be missing components.
  8. This is the lowest grade of surplus item that we carry and they are not eligible for returns or exchanges due to condition.
Prop 65 Warning

All products that are NOT INTENDED FOR CONSUMPTION OR NOT FOOD PRODUCTS fall under this warning:

“WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.” WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including arsenic, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.”

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