Yup, it's awesome! And I wouldn't expect anything less coming from Bear. Mahalo buddy! A little flick of the wrist, and it bit nicely. And it fits great in a Tarahumara pack.
Good luck on that. Other than a Swiss Army knife or multitool, I generally prefer my tools separate. Plus I use the back of the machete for scraping and pounding. To each his/her own. Plus I would probably hurt myself with the Gerber machete/saw. That is also why I shy away from double bit axes and double edge blades. Probably due to my lack of skill. Only double edge blade I have is my taiji jian. Forgot about my push dagger, but I haven't touched it in a very long time. And I do believe I cut myself with it before.
Gerber did a recall on these, for that very reason. several people had tried to use the saw with wet or sweaty hands, and slipped up the handle slicing their hands (one quite badly) they changed the handle design to prevent your hand from sliding up. (previous version had a nearly straight handle). but for hunting (which is why I have it) it does very well, indeed. I might rehandle it at some point, just because I don't care much for a plastic handle, but I can't fault it's performance, and the back saw is seldom ever used. (primarily for notching)
The other thing I dislike, about the Gerber Gator and its Junior version? Notice where the rivets holding the handle to the blade sit? Pretty sure that's because it's not a full tang blade. So what happens, in a SHTF scenario, when the handle breaks? Now you're stuck trying to make a specialized handle, for a blade that's not full tang length. The really weird thing? If you look at the Gerber Gator Pro (with the hook on the end), it has a full-tang blade, with rivets on either end of the handle! No idea why they cheaped out on the other two blades, tho!
@natshare - probably because the design isn't theirs to begin with and Gerber is, in many senses, one step above a retailer. They farmed manufacturing out to the lowest bidder. I'd be hard pressed to buy another Gerber product and I own two of their folders. Quality is NOT what it used to be.
No doubt that @Bear makes fine quality blades. I plan on getting one of his machetes one day. They're better than store bought!
Agreed. Some of their knives are still okay, and like I said, I might find the Gator Pro machete and interesting addition to my pack, as it looks like it might make a good pestilence chopper. Personally, I have a Cold Steel Kukri machete, and their GI Tanto knife. They too are made by the C.H.INA corporation, but seem to be no less of a good quality, in spite of it. Mostly I like Cold Steel's offerings, because they haven't turned to making everything out of stainless steel!!
@Hanzo how did I miss this ?... thanks for posting the pics and all the kind words from you and the others... Guess it's time for another run since you got one of the last ones... (pays to be a buddy monkey on the same island :0) Not going to be as "pretty" as the "Supporters" grade... but the same steel and treatment... wood handles and maybe simple riveted leather sheaths :0) oh yeah... and affordable too... only.... ummm...... one meeeeeeeellllllllliiiiiiiiiiiooooooooonnnnnn dooooooollllllllaaaaaarrrrssss.... I mean banana chips :0)
