Machis > Samto. Joins a few chapters sooner, is more durable, has more Strength, and has the option to mount. Samto is faster, but Machis already manages 3 AS with Steel Sword upon joining time, and he does similar damage with an Iron Sword that Samto does with a Steel anyways. And having 1 more Move unmounted isn't enough to make up for Machis having 2 more Move (3 post-promotion) on outdoor chapters.
Machis is also probably beating out Doga because of the classes involved.