Elk Ridge - Outdoors Fixed Blade Machete - 20.5-in Overall, Black Stainless Steel Blade, Orange and Black Injection Molded Handle with Lanyard, Nylon Sheath, Camping, Hunting, Survival - ER-280, One Size

I have used a lot of different machetes and I will not address those. But I was very impressed with this one. I bought it to leave at our little hide away campsite in the woods. After using it to do some trail clearing through heavy brush, I suddenly realized I like this better than my rather expensive BucknBear machete. It feel comfortable in the hand and even with wet gloves or bare hands you can still maintain a good grip. It arrived very sharp (for a machete). I have used it slice through 1.75" green limbs in a single pass.After working with it for two days...and cutting a lot of stuff it did require a little touch up on the edge...but this is to be expected. There were no bends, chips or rolled edges...just slightly dull in the last 6" of the blade (the part that did most of the cutting...including roots in the dirt!). A few strokes with a quality flat file and a few passes with a stone to smooth the raw edge left by the file, things were back to normal. I also like the fact that this is a "full tang" machete (the metal part of the blade extends all the way through the handle...much stronger and safer!). Actually...I can find no negatives with this tool.The sheath is adequate but I don't like the fact that one must snap two snaps on the sheath to hold the blade in place. This is because of the curve of the blade. While it's not a deal breaker, access and stowing is bit cumbersome. Thankfully, I usually walk with my machete in my hand so this is not a big deal..but is worthy of noting.As an FYI... I never carry my machete in the "working" position while walking a trail. In the normal position...should you trip and fall that puts the blade in front of and under you. I have found the safest way is to carry it backwards (swap ends). There is an area at the beginning of the blade that is not sharp (look at the stock picture between the handle and shiny part of the blade). I hold it there rather than on the hand grip(also provides better balance...less tiring to carry like this). Basically the blade end is exiting my hand towards my little finger (rather than thumb and first finger...the working position) and that puts the blade pointed outward and to your side (rather than in front of and under you). This provides a much better "balance" for carrying and should you trip and fall the blade will be pointed away from you (towards the side) as you naturally reach for the ground. This is a much safer way to carry it while walking. When it's time to use it, just roll it around to the proper position and begin your cutting duties.Several friends are now using these machete's as well...all are very happy. Be aware there are reviews here with pictures talking about the poor quality of this tool. However, the picture they provided is NOT this machete. Thanks for taking time to read my review. I hope you enjoy this machete as much as I have.UPDATE 07/07/17Several weeks back after returning to my vehicle from a hike through the woods...I laid my machete down. Then drove off and left it! It was a sad day when I realized it was no longer there. OK...time to order another working machete. So, what did I do? I ordered another Elk River machete. That's right...I was happy right up until I lost it! Now I am happy again because I was able to use my new one this past weekend. ...Still happy!

This is one MIGHTY Mechte! Its built sturdy and will 100% get the Job done! This Mechete is mean for hard hitting , its not a bit flimsy! I have had several Mechets before but first one like this I ever ran across. Many others they will wobble when you hit something or break off or chip the metal, Not this bad boy! It's not however the same color as the pic sore sale. Mine has a Orange outer handle and the rest is a rubber &black. I swear it looks like a over sized meat cleaver in a way! You cant beat the price for 23 bucks and change! I love it! I plan on using this to clear off a bunch of stubborn bushes etc on a piece of my land. By the way IT IS VERY SHARP!!! I think this will for sure be my new fav Mechete. I have bought $50 Mechete's and more than are not as well sturdy as this one, At least IMO. Will update after a good week of putting it to the test!!UPDATE: Put it to work today and some smallstuff and surprisingly it did not cut like i thought it would, I couldn't believe I was having to chop at certain rather small branches twice. Good thing I have a perfect size knife sharpener for this! It came feeling damn sharp feeling so it was a big surprise when I put it to work. After I get done with it though it\s gonna cut through a sheet of paper

Beautiful weight finished with a nice edge straight out of the box and an ergonomically fitting rubber grip with a hand guard as depicted. the only reason I gave this 4 stars is because almost fresh out of the box (after a couple swings at some thin brush) the blade had a bit of wiggle in the handle which almost instantaneously got worse. Its nothing serious nor do I feel like the blade will ever fly out because it is bolted in three places, however, I had to use a very small star shaped Allan tool to tighten but it seemed to be doing nothing but slowly stripping the screws, which was upsetting and im afraid to do anything more because they are a very soft steel. A good price for a cheap machete, you cant expect too much out of these things and compared to my Gerber Gator machete (an absolute piece of crap which has ended up with a bent, warped, or chipped blade on every return) this is a good purchase.

I just chopped through all kinds of brush, saplings, small trees, vines, etc. This is not a toy, it's a legit full tang Machete. I love the knuckle guard so when you're really swinging you don't catch some ugly whips to the knuckles. Very sharp, holds it's edge well. Good weight, not a piece of paper, but not a brick either, well balanced. Enough mass that with a good thrust/swing, it's going through 3/4" thick vines and trees like butter. Nice sheath for keeping it and it hugs it nicely.Not a prop like so many other machetes on Amazon.

Had it for a week and the blade started breaking off. Had to throw it away and buy a better one.

OK. Very dull. Boy bf could cut a SMALL (1/4"?) With it. Have to pay someone to at least make it cut something!It does have a nice sturdy handle and looks pretty cool.

Had to go to the post office to pick it up this morning. It shipped in a box that would have held 24 of them with space to spare. The post office could not leave it in our box. Unwrapped it and noticed it was pretty heavy. It came very sharp even though the metal blade is quite thick. Went hacking around in my "jungle" and it cut everything. I was cutting tropical alfalfa (it is like a tree here) that was 2.5 inches thick with one good swipe.The handle had a guard for your knuckles<---- a nice feature. The handle was fairly easy on my hand and the way the blade is weighted it seemed to produce its own gravitational momentum with every chop. The canvas cover was a nice touch and the cord off the handle. The cover can be worn on your belt like a scabbard. I hope to have this for a long time.

A great chopper. Feels great in the hand. Well made heavy blade just what I hoped it would be.