Gerber Gator 18” machete review.

[Jrez]

If you need a machete, get a machete. If you need a saw, get a saw.

[csxconductor]

How many recalls would you like Gerber?
Gerber: yes

[old_timey_prospector]

I actually have one of these that I've beaten the crap out of. It's a pain to saw with, it doesn't chop heavy, and the edge needs tending to a little more frequently than some might like. But for all its faults, three things even it out:

It keeps a straight blade even when it's mistreated,
It absorbs hand shock like a mf,
And it holds up to way more abuse than it was probably meant for.

Excellent beater tool for the truck box or back of the car.

[fabianf.]

You’re better off getting a pet Beaver

[BobSmith-kdlq]

Old Fiskars machetes were awesome. The edges needed a lot of work, but I've had mine over 12 years and has one dent in the blade where I whacked a nail that I didn't see. I can easily cut through 1½-2" branches and saplings. Sadly, they don't make em like that anymore

[eugeniotapia]

I just used a Gerber sawback the other day to decapitate a 5ft rattler that came into my property, worked perfect like chopping thru butter. Don't do much brush/wood work with it tho so can't sound off there. The best machete EVER my Dad brought back from central America being Green Beret advisor during the whole Nicaraguan Honduras throw down in the mid 80s !

[bigmikeg]

Gerber is that kid that studies for hours every night but still only get's a C average

[wafflelife]

Ok so I’ve learned something I’ve never thought of using the lanyard as a slip guard will always be doing this now

[mrtahoe]

Had mine three years now used it on cutting ice damns on roofs and sectioning snow blocks for efficient snow removal. Still works great

[LouBear]

I’ve broken so many of those. Def don’t recommend.
I really like Schrade brand myself.

[sauceelf]

My brothers got me one of these when I turned 14, it sucked so much, but bless them

[dcard]

I think you're better off just having a folding saw in your pack and only using any saw back as a last resort

[hoffthegreat]

First thing I've seen here that I actually own. It's a damn good machete, best father's day gift I've ever received.

[juanjoseeltres]

Maybe you're THE ONLY Honest reviewer.... ever. I do appreciate your honesty.
I have a question:
If you had to have only three essential blades to survive with... what might they be?

[CountDoucheula]

If you actually look at the saw, there is no offset to the teeth, which would usually create a kerf (a wider area for the saw blade to slide through).
The sawback is intended for notching when creating traps/shelters or processing bone whilst skinning

[SmoothBrain]

I'm certain machetes we're made for brush and very small branches (1"-1 1/2" diameters)

[PilotTed]

Best saw back I ever tested was the one on the glock field knife. That shit saws effectively for just a knife.

[TheGeneralSoundwave]

Thank you for this. Bought one a few years back and never though to stress test it like this

[mtnman]

Found one of these at a thrift store for a buck looked like someone was chopping g rocks with it. Reprofiled the blade and sharpened it and it works great

[yacobshelelshaddai]

Pretty sure I have this exact same machete. I’ve heard that they are crap though and that they break at the handle quite regularly and have a crappy rubber handle it’s not even comfortable and that’s where they often snap apparently. $80+ here in Australia at BCF. Bit of a rip off for something that I don’t have full confidence using after hearing that.