I just finished a contract job of clearing some growed up brush in between the next door businesses garage. I use a cold steel kurkri machete to do it and did not stop to sharpen at all. I am going to rate this product based on ergonomics of comfort, edge retention, edge capable of holding and difficulty of resharpening, as well as comfort of wear, and as well as cost effectiveness. The rating will be on a scale of 1-10 with an explanation of why I subtract any points, if any at all for the given category.
Ergonomics's of comfort - 8/10.
-2 points. The reason I deducted two points was because sometimes it had a tendacy to twist at the bottom and create unpleasant rubs and pressures on the palm of my hand.
Edge Retention - 5/10
When I bought this machete, it had come with the first 5 or so inches blunt without a full edge cut. I had to make an edge on it via hard, hard file work and diamond hones. I sharpened it as best as I could in lieu of not being Japanese and hone it down, but could not create and edge at the tip as sharp as near the handle. -4 points. -1 point for not keeping that edge for chopping plantation. It's not like it was thick wood, just some mildly thickening vines and plants with hollow stocks. It also had a hard time doing a hatchet type chop, even at alternating angle. I give it kudos however for taking an accidental brush against the concrete on the end and not nicking hardly at all.
Edge Capable - 6/10.
As explained above, I could not get an edge at the top the same as I did out of the bottom without taking an afternoon to reshape and hone it back down to razor sharpness. I don't have the time to devote to it, so i will make some. -4 points.
Resharpening - 9/10.
It's not very hard to resharpen at all, even with small Arkansas stones and not larger ones. However, it does take alot of time to do and seems to be very stubborn when re-sharpening. -1 point.
Comfort Of Wear - 10/10
Barring that you don't sit on the ground, the cordura sheath has a loop that hangs it lower than most of my field knives so its (the handle) not poking me in the ribs all the time. it does not flop around too much, but obviously you don't want to do combat maneuvers with it dangling down. The two latches that hold it in, top and bottom, keep it very secure. I was close to deducting a point for awkwardness of pulling it in and out of the sheath, but you get used to it after a little work.
Cost Effectiveness - 5/10
Due to the fact that it came to me flawed and seems to have an issue with taking an edge the WHOLE length of the cutting edge and then holding that looses it alot of points. If I could do it over again I would have saved my money and gone with a more expensive Ontario with better materials and probably been more satisfied.
Overall - 43/ 60
HOWEVER, FOR THE PRICE THIS TOOL DOES IT'S JOB! It needs a little sharpening after working, so count on doing that. For the price, its ok. I'm sure there are better machetes out there and I would most certainly like one but once you get this one squared away it does alright. The coating stays and keeps the cruddy wudlys off pretty good. $25 will get you one straight from Cold Steel, sheath included. I suggest looking on e-bay as they are cheaper. I used the 13" model, but they have a magnum model that is 17" and only $30.00. I payed around $15 on e-bay for mine.
http://www.coldsteel.com/97kms.html
Ergonomics's of comfort - 8/10.
-2 points. The reason I deducted two points was because sometimes it had a tendacy to twist at the bottom and create unpleasant rubs and pressures on the palm of my hand.
Edge Retention - 5/10
When I bought this machete, it had come with the first 5 or so inches blunt without a full edge cut. I had to make an edge on it via hard, hard file work and diamond hones. I sharpened it as best as I could in lieu of not being Japanese and hone it down, but could not create and edge at the tip as sharp as near the handle. -4 points. -1 point for not keeping that edge for chopping plantation. It's not like it was thick wood, just some mildly thickening vines and plants with hollow stocks. It also had a hard time doing a hatchet type chop, even at alternating angle. I give it kudos however for taking an accidental brush against the concrete on the end and not nicking hardly at all.
Edge Capable - 6/10.
As explained above, I could not get an edge at the top the same as I did out of the bottom without taking an afternoon to reshape and hone it back down to razor sharpness. I don't have the time to devote to it, so i will make some. -4 points.
Resharpening - 9/10.
It's not very hard to resharpen at all, even with small Arkansas stones and not larger ones. However, it does take alot of time to do and seems to be very stubborn when re-sharpening. -1 point.
Comfort Of Wear - 10/10
Barring that you don't sit on the ground, the cordura sheath has a loop that hangs it lower than most of my field knives so its (the handle) not poking me in the ribs all the time. it does not flop around too much, but obviously you don't want to do combat maneuvers with it dangling down. The two latches that hold it in, top and bottom, keep it very secure. I was close to deducting a point for awkwardness of pulling it in and out of the sheath, but you get used to it after a little work.
Cost Effectiveness - 5/10
Due to the fact that it came to me flawed and seems to have an issue with taking an edge the WHOLE length of the cutting edge and then holding that looses it alot of points. If I could do it over again I would have saved my money and gone with a more expensive Ontario with better materials and probably been more satisfied.
Overall - 43/ 60
HOWEVER, FOR THE PRICE THIS TOOL DOES IT'S JOB! It needs a little sharpening after working, so count on doing that. For the price, its ok. I'm sure there are better machetes out there and I would most certainly like one but once you get this one squared away it does alright. The coating stays and keeps the cruddy wudlys off pretty good. $25 will get you one straight from Cold Steel, sheath included. I suggest looking on e-bay as they are cheaper. I used the 13" model, but they have a magnum model that is 17" and only $30.00. I payed around $15 on e-bay for mine.
http://www.coldsteel.com/97kms.html
