Gerber Gear Gator Machete 25" with Plain Edge Blade and Saw, Gator Grip and Protective Sheath for Gardening, Survival, Hunting, Camping and Bushcraft, Black

Bought this as a gift for my husband and he loved it. Seems durable, sturdy and came very sharp.

Let's start out by shouting from the rooftops that this little guy rocks! There are a couple of minor issues, but it's definitely getting 5 stars for an amazing value at $15.59.Let's go over the good stuff first (and there's plenty of it):The Gerber junior has several attributes that take it way beyond just a good deal.As said above, the price is right. At $15 - $20, it's a total bargain ... Your argument is invalid.While this mini machete certainly isn't made of the finest, imported, hand crafted materials (refer to price), if used within its limits, it seriously gets the job done. Because it's lightweight and half the length of a full size machete, you can easily carry it on your belt, or strap it to a pack and you'll barely know it's there until you need it.That being said — Don't let the smaller size fool you. OK sure. You probably won't get far cutting through towering oaks or sequoias, but it will chop right through a 3/4 in diameter branch with one clean shot. You can take down one inchers with a couple more chops, and you can get through branches that are 2 in in diameter or more if you have a little patience and throw in a dab of elbow grease. Somehow they definitely found a pretty solid balance between being light enough to take backpacking but heavy enough to chop through some decent branches.Another rare and good thing to find in a cheap cutting tool (despite some reviews that say otherwise) is that the blade comes out of the factory pretty sharp. After a few minutes with a decent sharpener, you can get the edge to cut through Kryptonite. No complaints in that department. Especially for the price.To protect and haul your blade, the nylon sheath is decent enough. It seems like it should stand up to some punishment while still being light enough that it doesn't add any noticeable weight when the blade is sheathed and on your hip. The velcro strap isn't particularly sturdy, but hopefully it will hold up. For the money, you can't ask for too much more than that.Now on to the bad (just a couple of minor non deal breakers):The machete is not full tang. For those that are new to knives and machetes, the tang refers to how far the metal blade runs up the grip. The Gerber jr. is not a full tang blade. This could become problematic somewhere down the road and could potentially lead to a broken blade or grip if you are using your blade as a rock hammer. Don't forget that you aren't paying big bucks for a product that will last you generations. Despite it's ... lacking of tang, if you treat the blade right and use it properly and within it's limits (that means NO prying), it feels like it will last through many outings in the woods.The other little hiccup in an overall awesome product, is the saw function. It's a great idea (note the use of the word "idea"), and if absolutely necessary, you could use it to (eventually) saw through larger pieces of wood. However, I think that this one looks a little better on paper and is exactly as I said before. A great "idea." It just isn't that practical. The saw blades are sharp and staggered like a saw is supposed to be. The problem is that they are too thick to efficiently saw through large diameter material. When trying to saw back and forth, you seem to have to devote a lot of energy and attention to avoid getting the saw teeth stuck in the log every other stroke. It can become frustrating and time consuming, and if you're backpacking or camping, your time would probably be better spent searching for dry tinder or picking a guitar by the fire. Now remember. This is far from a deal breaker. How much sawing are you really planing on doing with your MACHETE anyway?The conclusion is simple. This Gerber jr. is a serious bang for your buck. It works. It looks solid. It feels solid, and it hasn't failed yet. Overall this blade is absolutely ideal for taking on the trail to help gather fire wood or clear a site for a shelter. Although it seems to be born to be taken into the mountains on a trek, it can also be used around the yard for small to medium sized clearing jobs. If you are looking for a smaller answer to a full sized machete and don't want to dull up the blade of your hunting knife, this bitchin' little piece of hardware is definitely for you.

Awesome

Is it great? No. Is it pretty good? Yes.The steel did take a good sharpening, but it was also not great out of the box. The "saw" side could also use a little TLC and filing to be something resembling useful.The handle is made of a nice material, but even as a guy with small hands... I'd prefer a bit more beef to hold on to. It's not thick enough.That said, I got the blade shaving sharp in ~15 minutes, took another hour to clean up the saw side and give it real teeth, and put some grip tape on the handle. It's OK.

My husband love it he is going to engrave in the knife so he can give it to a friend essay going away present. The length is perfect. I’m pretty sure this is gonna be a gift that is going to up be durable.

"You get what you pay for" doesn’t even apply here, because paying anything for this machete is a scam.Let me paint you a picture: You’re out in the woods, feeling like a rugged survivor, and you need to hack through some brush. Enter the "Gutless Wonder" Machete—a blade so pathetic it makes a butter knife look like Excalibur. This thing is less of a tool and more of a theatrical prop for a low-budget horror movie where the killer’s weapon bends on contact.First Impressions: A Blade in Name OnlyRight out of the flimsy plastic sleeve it came in you’ll notice two things:The "edge" is about as sharp as a spoon left in the dishwasher too long.The handle feels like it was molded from recycled grocery bags and regret.The balance is all wrong—swing it, and it either flops like a wet noodle or tries to escape your grip like it’s ashamed of its own existence.You bring it down on a branch, expecting a clean cut. Instead, the blade bounces off like it just remembered it left the stove on.Now you’re putting your whole body into it, like you’re trying to decapitate a zombie. The machete bends like it’s made of tin foil, and the branch laughs at you.The handle cracks, the blade warps, and you’re left holding a sad, metallic banana that will never cut anything but your dignity.Durability: Built to FailThis thing rusts if you look at it wrong. Leave it outside for five minutes? Congrats, it’s now a modern art piece titled "Regret in Ferrous Form." The steel is so soft you could probably bite through it, and the rivets holding the handle together seem to be held by prayers and false advertising.Final Verdict: A Weapon Against Your Own SanityIf you need a machete that won’t cut, won’t last, and will actively betray you, then congratulations—this is the blade for you. For everyone else? Burn the money instead. At least that way, you’ll get some warmth out of the transaction.Rating: 0/10 – A crime against cutlery."It’s not a tool, it’s a liability with a handle."the handle fell offUpdate: The Handle Fell Off – A Comedy of Errors"I thought this machete couldn’t get worse. Then it committed suicide mid-swing."That’s right. The Gutless Wonder didn’t just fail—it disassembled itself in protest after barely grazing a twig. One second, I’m trying to chop through a leaf, and the next, the handle nopes out like it’s got a better offer somewhere else.The Aftermath: Me, standing there, holding a sad, splintered stick, while the blade buries itself in the dirt like it’s trying to escape.Forensic Analysis of FailureHandle Material: Suspected to be balsa wood coated in wishful thinking.Attachment Method: Either chewed bubblegum or the tears of disappointed buyers.Structural Integrity: Less "rugged tool," more "IKEA furniture assembled by a sleep-deprived raccoon."New Rating: -5/10 – Actively DangerousThis isn’t just a bad machete—it’s a safety hazard disguised as a blade. At this point, you’d be better off:Using a rusty soup can.Biting through branches like a beaver.Throwing the machete at your problems and hoping for the best.Final Verdict: The Gutless Wonder isn’t just the worst machete I’ve ever used—it’s a metaphor for broken promises. If you buy this, you’re not just wasting money… you’re volunteering for slapstick comedy."The only thing this machete cuts is your self-respect."

I recently got my hands on the Gerber Gear Gator Machete, and I must say, it’s a fantastic tool for anyone who loves the outdoors. The first thing you’ll notice is the excellent grip on the handle. The Gator Grip texture ensures that it stays firmly in your hand, even in wet conditions, making it incredibly reliable.The blade is razor-sharp right out of the box, allowing for clean and precise cuts. Whether you’re clearing brush, chopping wood, or just feeling like a jungle explorer, this machete swings effortlessly and gets the job done efficiently.Overall, the Gerber Gear Gator Machete is a must-have for anyone looking for a durable, sharp, and easy-to-handle tool. Highly recommended!