Machete Reviews

Reviews and comparisons of machetes and other large knives with fixed blades and properties similar to a machete.

Schrade Jethro Review: Kukri-like Survival Machete

January 13, 2017 Author: Michael

Today I am reviewing the Schrade Jethro (model SCHF48), a survival knife/machete hybrid with a 11.625″ kukri-like fixed blade that is more than capable of piercing, batoning, and powering through any heavy chopping jobs you can throw at it. Its official MSRP is just north of of $80.00, but with a little bargain hunting the Schrade Jethro can be found for under $50, making its price a competitive one for the quality offered by this large kukri inspired blade.

This bold, kukri-like survival machete is manufactured by BTI Tools, a company that produces Schrade products as well as Old Timer, Uncle Henry, and Imperial branded products. They are probably best known for their pocket knives, but feature a wide selection of products ranging from fixed and folding knives, collapsible batons, tactical pens to tactical and survival accessories and flashlights that are used by survival/outdoor enthusiasts, law enforcement, and even fire department personnel. Schrade knives were manufactured by Taylor Brands until 2016, but Smith & Wesson acquired Taylor Brands and incorporated it into BTI Tools. (more…)

Condor Kukri Machete Review

June 24, 2014 Author: Michael

The Condor Kukri Machete up for review (available at Amazon) is an excellent option for a large, affordable, fixed blade knife that’s perfect for heavy-duty chopping, hacking vines and shrubbery, cutting wood, batoning and clearing trails. It makes short work of tall brush, easily lops off limbs for firewood, and sharpens up quickly to a razor edge.

I reviewed the Condor Heavy Duty Kukri a while back and came away very satisfied with everything that model had to offer. Like the HD Kukri, this model is also made in El Salvador with premium build materials, including high-carbon steel, thick genuine leather, and a gorgeous hardwood handle. This stout blade can take plenty of abuse without bending, breaking or chipping.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Condor Kukri machete such an ideal choice for outdoorsmen who need a reliable machete to bring along in the woods and on the trail. (more…)

Kershaw 1074 Review: 18-Inch Camp Knife

February 28, 2014 Author: Michael

The Kershaw 1074 Camp Knife (18″ version available at Amazon) is one of the best in a series of popular and innovative knives manufactured by decades-old knife manufacturer Kershaw. The globally renowned US knife brand is a member of the KAI Group, which has knife manufacturing operations in China and Japan as well. The company is involved in manufacture of various kinds of knifes including camping knives, multi-tools, machetes, pocket knives and even kitchen cutlery.

With an 18-inch blade, the 2.1 pound Kershaw 1074 Camp Knife is the biggest in the Kershaw line of knives. In hand it feels more like a small sword than a knife. The sheer size of the knife makes it easy to use as a handy survival tool given its ability to cut, hack, slash, split and scrape among any other uses.

The massive 18-inch blade, high quality of the construction material, coupled with a comfortable and ergonomically innovative handle makes the Kershaw 1074 a formidable camping knife. (more…)

Woodman’s Pal Review (Model 481)

January 19, 2014 Author: Michael

Please take a moment to examine the Classic Woodman’s Pal. Part knife, part machete and part sickle. It’s a tool that’s held American interest for over four decades. Designed and manufactured in the USA by the master knife craftsmen at Pro Tool Industries, the Woodman’s Pal is unique in its ability to serve a wide variety of purposes. The question is can it serve them well enough to measure up with tools that have a dedicated purpose? Take a moment to read this review of the Woodman’s Pal 481 and get our honest opinion on this large, oddly shaped classic.

First things first. Straight out of the box this tool is certainly an attention getter. The unique curve at the tip of the blade which is intended to make it useful for everything from cutting through foliage, to chopping firewood, clearing downed trees and everything in between is a head turner. (more…)

Ka-Bar Kukri Machete Review (Model 2-1249-9)

November 16, 2013 Author: Michael

The Kukri style knife has a rich and romantic history. Designed for warfare, it is the prized possession of every Nepalese Gurkha soldier, past and present. On the other hand, a machete also has an exhilarating history as a weapon of war. It was used in a number of confrontations, from the Rwandan Genocide to the Battle of Havana.

Ka-Bar inventively took the ideas of each of these powerful knives and interweaved them into one. Thus was born the Ka-Bar Kukri Machete (Model 2-1249-9), a knife containing the shape of the Kukri, the ferocity of a machete and the chopping power of an ax. Read on to find out what makes the Ka-Bar Kukri Machete a very competent tool for heavy yard work, clearing bush, chopping and trimming.

Specs, Dimensions and Weight

The overall length (from the end of the handle to the tip of the blade) of this Ka-Bar Kukri Machete is 17 inches. The blade alone is 11.5 inches long and 0.165 inches in thickness with an edge angle measuring in at 20 degrees. It features a full tang design with partial flat grind. The entire tool weighs roughly 1.2 pounds (20 ounces). (more…)

Ka-Bar Becker BK4 Machax Review

November 2, 2013 Author: Michael

Ka-Bar Machax Review It was in the early 1980s that Ethan Becker founded his Becker Knife and Tool industry. He always had a fancy for industrial-strength tactical and survival knives for himself and it was this passion that triggered his interest in designing, manufacturing and selling high quality knives and other cutting tools. One of these knives is the Ka-Bar Becker Machax, which is also known simply as the BK4.

Becker’s knives of the BK&T line have grown and evolved a lot over the years and are now especially popular for their high quality design, exceptional build quality and all black construction. The growth of this line of knives is attributed to Mr. Becker himself spending lots of time outdoors using and testing many different types of knife designs and other outdoors equipment.

The Machax is one of his first designs and it was in the year 2008 that he collaborated with Ka-Bar, which gave him an opportunity to once again release the BK4 knife to the masses in response to its lasting popularity. (more…)

Gerber Gator Machete Pro Review – The Walking Dead Machete

October 18, 2013 Author: Michael

Gerber Gator Machete Pro Review Gerber is a well known brand famous for its wide range of field ready chopping tools. Should a zombie apocalypse somehow come to pass, you would probably want to have a Hummer with a plow in front, a half a ton of ammo and a dozen Gerber Gator Machete Pros for you and your boys. Billed as Gerber’s premium machete, the Gerber Gator Machete Pro is reminiscent of the classic Woodsman’s Pal, which has been the outdoors man knife of choice for decades.

It’s not just another big blade on the market, but a high strength, corrosion resistant, and multipurpose tool that you can use as a machete, knife, brush thinner or even an axe. You may already be familiar with this machete, as it was featured on the popular AMC TV series The Walking Dead. The character Glen can often be seen carrying and using the Gerber Gator Machete Pro in the show. (more…)