I was a little weary of buying this. I got it at Cabelas on sale. First time I used it was in Florida to cut some palm branches near our camp site, I was shocked at what one swing could do. I use it all the time to trim branches and prep fire wood. I have no idea about the sharpness but it will cut through a branch about the size of your arm with only a few swings. One disadvantage that the Napelese had that they didnt add is near the handle should be an area for precision work and whittling.
I suspect there are multiple places this tool is manufactured. I was stunned by how sharp and tough the blade was on mine, and it has performed very well -- out of the box it was the sharpest machete I've ever owned, and no visible damage despite some clumsy use. I'm so shocked by the negative reviews I have to leave my own.
Handle is excellent, though not easily used with two hands. Doesn't slip and seems full-tang, virtually no percussion during use.
Sheathe is a bit awkward, and the base of the blade is easily uncovered (be careful if you have young children or are accident prone). Difficult to draw quickly but it won't slip out by accident. Only downside I can think of. Fearsome chopper due to the tip-weight. Best thing I ever got from Gerber.
Just bought this today at cabelas and this thing is so dull I couldn't cut a 1/2 inch stick in half with a full swing. I've spent and hour sharpening it and it's still barley useable. What a joke.
First of all, let me say; this is NOT a blade you can make razor sharp and expect it to perform properly. If anything, I believe the factory edge angle is a bit severe, considering the steel it's made from. I worked with the edge for about an hour, shortening the edge planes and making the cutting edge narrower and more sturdy. I then took it on a tour around my family farm when I went home on leave and it performed admirably; I saw no chipping or bending along the cutting edge. The Gator grip is quite comfortable and long enough for my very large hands (4 3/4 in across my knuckles), which isn't something I get to say as often as I'd like. Overall, it's a good buy in my opinion; I have three now, one in my personal vehicle, one on my bug-out bag, and one on my hunting pack.
I was very excited to open up the packaging to my new kukri, but I was quite dissatisfied when I pulled it out because it hadn't been hardened. I tried to use a sharpener and a whet stone on it but it hasn't made any improvements whatsoever. The only area where there is actually a blade is the very end but as for the rest of the blade, it's quite dull.
Some of Gerber tools are a little disappointing but this is a multipurpose machete that has a decent stabbing end and has a well balanced weight. Its more of a zombie killing weapon than a survival tool but it works very well and does not brake or rust.
Not sure about where the complaints are coming from about this blade but I personally feel that this is a cheap and very well made blade and I don't say that often. In fact I think I only said that once about another blade Gerber made back in the day. Anyways I've owned one for two years now and it has done the following: Chop, whittle, slice, incise, poke, prod and even served as a cooking plate over the fire. What it hasn't done was fail. Yes at first I too was skeptical about this blade considering it would appear to be cut from sheet metal but you have to remember that this is a mass produced product. It isn't made in Portland, it isn't hand made and it is kukri like shaped. But something like that, it's held up extremely well. Obviously it's not meant to be a pry bar. It's meant to be a chopper and that's why I bought a second one. Just FYI, if you do use it as a pry bar it will bend like alot of machetes so don't. I didn't try but just looking at the design you know it will bend if you try. Anyways after coming and going and coming back from the Amazon rainforest this the blade or now blades that I carry.
I found this on sale this past weekend with a folding auto assist knife for $29.99 originally marked at $89.99, only one in the entire store. I took this as a sign from the gods that it was there just for me. I scurried home and unpackaged the beast, and went outside to give it a go on limb that had fallen in a recent blizzard. First I want to say, it was pretty dang sharp out of the packaging. With 6 swings I cut through a 4" thick limb. The grip felt nice and tacky and didn't slip in my hand. Needless to say, I was impressed. Once it warms up around here I'll be able to go out and give it some abuse, and see how it preforms. I would have given this a 5 star review, but the sheath is a little lackluster in my opinion. First off I think the addition of some molle strapping on both sides would make this more user friendly for lefties such as myself, and the 2 piece rivets that are being used aren't top notch. I've had one of the rivets separate and fall off in the 4 days I've had it. I'll be making a new kydex sheath for this.
Took this machete on a 3 day camping trip. After shopping some fiere wood, I noticed that what use to be the sharp edge of the machete was not missing pices of the machete. I have to say I was dissapointed since I was looking to keep this machete as part of my survival gear, but I can trust it. I will try to get another from Gerber see if the Lifetime warranty is real, but I am skeptical of the quality of the other machetes.
This is a great tool especially going outdoors. Good job Gerber!
I recently got this product and it gets the job done and would be a monster for self defense and clearing brush. but i people need to realize you don't use it for chopping big old trees that is what your axe/ chainsaw is for machetes are for smaller game so to speak. its sheath is also very top notch with the draw back of only right handed carry as i am not affected by this but im sure some will be.
Instead of using 1050, one of the most downed upon steel grades use 8650 it is a whole stronger than 1050 and the price does not vary to much.
I would like to see this exact same blade but with 1/2 to 3/4 of the back of the blade having a serrated edge for sawing. Would also be nice if the sheath had an edge sharpener on it as well.
Felt so proud and happy, im a Nepali and this is national weapon of Nepal, called "KHUKURI".
hi i really like that this brand get this awesome tool of Nepal, that could have been much better if you guys had put at-least the name of the country as its recognition. Nepalese khukuri is renowned worldwide now still need so more effort, any ways thanks for building this tool new way.
I just got this yesterday. Bloody amazing! There is but one thing I didn't like. It's for right side carry only. I'm a left hander and while it doesn't bother me I know several people this will bother. That is the only thing I didn't like.
I have always loved the kukri design
its perfect to be a machete.
