Kershaw Camp 10 Machete, 10" High Performance Carbon Steel Blade, Glass-Filled Nylon Handle, Includes Protective Blade Sheath, Ideal for Camping and Outdoor Chores

I own the Kershaw 10, 14 and 18 inch. I have been using them for more than two years mainly for hiking and property maintenance. These are good quality large knives that work very well at limbing trees, opening coconuts, clearing a path of heavy brush, and removing large plants like banana and papaya.All of my Kershaw Camp knives came very sharp out of the box with a good working edge.Although I have an assortment of machetes from short to long, none of them hit with the authority of the Camp series of knives. The heavier blade doesn't require the velocity of a machete strike. The approximately 3/16ths of an inch steel also has a tendency free itself after a strike and not get wedged into the wood.This is a full tang knife with steel going all the way to the back of the handle. I added a paracord lanyard easily to the big cutouts in the handle to make a D-shape guard. I have never had a slip or drop with that set up. The rubber grip has very aggressive traction that smoothes out over time but shows no wear after some pretty heavy use. The plastic sheath is very functional and solid. I added a snap and strap to hold the handle while using the sheath in a drop leg configuration to control bounce. A leg strap keeps the whole setup in place when walking. Of course a baldric (shoulder strap) or pack mount are easy and quick to setup, too.The steel appears to be a simple carbon steel with a baked on finish that is durable enough for medium use but with quickly wear in heavy use. There's no need to strip any of these. The knife keeps an edge that gets me through the day but requires regular maintenance. The blade and handle fasteners should get a light coat of mineral after each use. I sharpen mine after ever use and they stay shaving sharp with about two minutes on a strop. Not bad for such a big blade.This is a solid choice if you want a very good knife with a versatile sheath that you're not afraid to use in the deep, deep forest without a rider on your homeowner's policy. I have better knives with better sheaths that cost hundreds of dollars more and do everything better - and they should! But bang for the buck? It's hard to beat the Kershaw Camp series.

What it is: A quality heavy cutting tool!What it is not: A machete. (it's really more like a short sword)It just doesn't get any better than this. If you are looking for a serious and versatile cutting tool for cold to temperate climates stop looking and buy it now. You would be hard pressed to find anything better, This will chop, hack, split, and cut anything you put in front of it. Chops dead-fall better than a hatchet or almost any axe in the price range and clears trails better than a big knife (I'm lookin' at you CS Trailmaster and RTAK II) and clear shrubby stuff like a long handle brush axe... minus the long handle ;) will do anything a machete will for a few swings before your arm gets tired. Leave your other blades at home... you wont be needing them.Pros:- One of the best "Big Blades" available period (Not just for the money)- Excellent heat treating - perfect temper- Scary sharp out of box!- Blade is Full Flat Ground with a nice convex edge and 3/16" thick!- Nice durable black powdercoat on blade, will wear with time but so far so good- The injection molded rubber handle is very comfortable in hand and not too "grippy"- Sheath is not too shiny and and has plenty of attachment points for your pack or MOLLE/PALS gear but this blade WAY too heavy for tactical use!*Get to feel like Crocodile Dundee "That's not a knife..."Cons:- They try to sell it as a machete which it is not. If you want to swing this thing around all day at thin springy vines and branches or grasses then forget it; it's just too heavy. Buy a tramontina instead or if you are headed for the real jungle get a Condor light machete.- As other Reviewers have noted the sheath isn't the best. It is a functional hard plastic that is annoyingly loud with zero passive retention, It is also heavy. But If you shove some foam rubber in the bottom or add a retaining magnet to keep it quite it should do just fine, for professional use; get a Kydex sheath.- Negative for your wallet; If you're like me it will make you want to buy two or three these; just in case this one walks off and they stop making them.- After you clear your property of all standing vegetation... It Might make you neighbors nervous when you're asking if they need anything cut down.Pro tip: Use Lemon Pledge to keep your blades clean and protected, it makes them cut better too! WD-40 will do the same job but can harm the finish.