KA1248-BRK Machete Cutlass

I bought the Ka-Bar Cutlass Machete a couple months ago and have been delighted with it. The carbon steel blade is easy to sharpen, takes a great edge, and holds the edge well. One important use for me is working inside our hedges. A long machete just won't work there as I cannot get a long enough swing to cut anything. The Ka-Bar is just right: short enough to swing well, heavy enough to develop some momentum. It easily cuts branches and stems over inch thick with one stroke, and easily handles bigger than that- it just takes more swings. It's also a real good size for camping when you don't want the burden of something bigger. It feels good in my hand, and the hook at the end of the grip helps a lot for retention. The sheath has gotten some negative comments. While I would prefer it was all synthetic to resist mold here in Hawaii (no problem with that yet tho), I use the sheath mainly for storage and have no real gripe with it. I have two other short machetes which I liked a lot, both traditional hand made Philippine pieces. One, hand forged from what I suspect was a leaf spring from a vehicle, with buffalo horn grips was a favorite until I got the Ka-Bar. The Ka-Bar has more mass for better chopping. When I am finished for the day, I clean the blade, sharpen it, and oil it before putting it away. Treat good tools well and they will treat you well for a long time. I expect this one will. UPDATE: We are just back from several days at a campground on the North Shore of Oahu. I used the Ka-Bar Cutlass Machete for splitting ironwood/Australian Pine (Casuarina)logs up to 5 inches thick into kindling, and it worked fine. The technique is simple: wearing heavy gloves, lay the blade on the middle of the end of an upright log (that is, bisect it so you get two roughly even sized pieces), letting the tip end of the blade project several inches beyond the log. Whack the top of the blade with another piece of wood to set the blade into the log, then, holding the machete handle firmly, keep hitting the projecting part of the blade until you have split the log. Repeat until you have pieces appropriate for kindling. Don't hit it like you are trying to kill an attacking T.Rex, just firmly. Do bisect the log: if you try to cut a quarter off, the blade may veer out of the side of the log, and hit your leg. Self-amputation is widely regarded as exciting, but considered bad form. And yes, do wear shoes while doing your wood splitting. Your toes are attached for a reason. Keep them that way. UPDATE II (February 2013): I have now used it on a camping trip on the Salmon River in Idaho, camping again on the north shore of Oahu, and cutting bamboo for a couple hours in the mountains above Honolulu, as well as routine yard work. I am still delighted with it. I generally sharpen with a diamond sharpener it before each use, and spritz it with WD-40 before putting it away. On the Salmon River trip I used it to fell dead Ponderosa pine up to about 5 inches, to trim off the branches, and to baton the logs for kindling. Camp on north shore: split ironwood again for firewood. Bamboo: I helped remove invading bamboo from around a radio transmitter station/tower. Most of the bamboo was 1" to 2" diameter, so not the big stuff. It worked like a dream, and after two hours was still quite sharp. Green bamboo, by the way, is softer and easier to cut than dry (brown) bamboo. So far the sheath is holding up fine. I have not experienced the problems several others have reported, but I use it more for storage than hard use on my belt. If you'd like a video showing how to baton firewood, just go to YouTube and plug in "baton firewood". There are a number of videos, some by people who look like they have never done it before, but you'll get the idea. Just remember to keep splitting the log in half, not shaving a skinny piece off the log. Also: Keep a firm grip on the handle when you hit the blade. You do NOT want this thing flipping out of the log and hitting anyone.

I have owned this blade for over 12 years and it continues to be my go-to for camping, hiking, yard work, you name it. The blade is full tang and the balance is much nicer than a kukri style, making it easier on the wrists. I have sharpened it around 3 times and it holds an edge exceptionally well. It's also not as long and flimsy feeling as a traditional machete, making it great for batoning and splitting wood. You can quickly and easily cut through standing or fallen timber since it has a head weight similar to a small camp axe. The blade is also broad enough to use as a makeshift trowel and I've even used it to flip burgers once. The handle is very comfortable, durable, and doesn't strain your hand after prolonged use. It even comes with a hole on the end for attaching paracord or something. The one thing I don't like about it is that the included sheath is kinda cheap and over time the blade tends to slice through the threads holding it together when you pull it in and out. Mine is still holding together, but just so. I will definitely find someone to make me a kydex sheath for it soon. Another thing is that when I'm sweating a lot, the handle does get a bit slippery, but this is to be expected with anything really. I added Talon grips (kinda like skateboard grip tape) to mine to decrease the likelihood of it flying out of my hand when Im chopping and sweating like a pig. For the price, this is by far the best machete you can buy and I can't recommend it highly enough.

This is the winner to me. You should always carry at least 2 knives with you when you go off into the wilderness or in nature. One large and 1 small,but if your state allows and you want to gamble and carry just 1, take the Ka bar cutlass. I think this is the king jack of all trades knife period. It will chop and split wood and do all the small knife tasks as well.If weight vs usage is a concern this is clearly the answer.I got the edge extremely sharp. I think I could cut the head off of a deer with 1 swing It will fit in your pack or you can strap it on the outside. The feel is great as well. the sheath is leather and nylon with a swinging belt loop that straps the handle. It is not my favorite but it is ok. I don't know why I did not write a review before. I have had it for several months and it is keeping it's edge very well. I think I paid 42 bucks for this. It was worth it.I own several knives and machetes. I am really happy and satisfied with this blade the most.I own a lot of Ka-bar knives just because when I am looking for a good deal on a particular style of knife, Ka-bar just seems to have what I am looking for. Thinking about buying a second one to be a 2 fisted cutlass machete swinging mad man. UPDATE 9/2013- After use of all the knives axes and Machetes I have I have to say that This is the most useful. Again I don't think you should try to venture out into the woods with just 1 knife and if you did I would take this over any knife 9 inches or under. I have given this blade a respectable beating and it has earned my trust and respect. If you ever got lost or stranded or injured and needed to prolong your stay in the woods and needed to use the woods to construct shelter, traps, fuel for fire, or whatever this is by far a better option than whatever fixed blade knife under 9 inches that you would carry and yes I bought another 1.

This Ka-bar CUTLESS is phenomenal! It has not failed me once from the mountain, campground and even back yard. Every task has been handled with ease and comfortabilitly. The Kraton G handle is astounding. I love this CUTLESS blade because its just sexy in general. And you know what they say, if it looks good, it'll cut good. It came to me quickly and razor sharp. And every question I had about ka-bars were answered after my first few swings! The blade is coated and is just amazing for lack of better words. Ill definatly rely on ka-bars perhaps for the rest of my life! Update 02/19/13 Upon reading other reviews about the carbon steel floding and becoming damaged; if the knife is used improperly or hit against an object such as metal or rock bending or chipping of the blade is to be expected. thats just a sliver of common sense. on the trail, this thing is bored, once you leave the trail and are faced with heavy brush thats when this knife shines!yesterday i ventured forth to a new mountain of which i had plans to conquer, clearing a trail was easy with this Ka-bar, and although this is the only Ka-bar knife ive personally owned its not the only one that ive handled. And definatly not the only one that ill buy. the jist of this update i want to speak of the 3 main choices i had when deciding which knife to buy from Amazon of course ( cuz theyve got the best prices lets be honest ). i was torn 3 ways between the cuttless, the grass machete, and the kukri. you cant go wrong with either one (unless you use it improperly). my personal preference was a long blade with ample cutting power and a good heft to the it, something that will seperate a branch in a few easy swings. thats exactly what i got when i chose the cuttless machete. ive carried this thing through what could be heaven and hell, and it has not failed me at all. i can recall a specific event that required me to dig the blade into the ground tip first (to use as a handle on a descending platform)and the knife held my weight while remaining clean and still very sharp, a quick brush off and it was back to bush wackin'. processing wood is a breeze, and even when i had a little field and stream knife for what some people call "fine" work i still found that my Ka-bar did a better job. im gonna vere away for a moment and say that the sheath is absolute garbage, but it does its job and my knife hasent been lost so for that im grateful. weather you choose the cuttless, grass, big brother, or kukri your gonna get a knife that comes razor sharp, from a company thats an american icon for cutlery excelence since before WWII. YOU CANT GO WRONG WITH KABAR!

this is a really tough real manageable big blade, it dwarfs the large bowie which dwarfs the kabar tanto, and fighter. it is a little more than half the thickness of the large bowie but the blade is by no means flimsy you couldn't get it to bend with bare hands, but i prayed with it and no breaks or bends, it is flexible but not flimsy. great bush craft tool, would need smaller knife for finer chores but, a pocket knife can fit the bill if worried about the weight of two fixed blades, u can make this work for shtf, it comes factory razor sharp, not hair popping but will shave. decent point very strong could be used as thrust weapon if needed, with good penetration, not excellent. worth double what i paid, i have all of this series but kukri and out of large and short heavy bowie this is my favorite. handle is identical to the bowie in size, with tie loop on sheath you can comfortably set or stand while wearing this machete, it comes down to the bend of my leg and ties there i am 6ft tall, it doesn't get on my nerves like the large bowie when i walk. it is a great sheath for what it is, you can deploy the blade without unsnapping bottom snap, but it will not come out until the top is released, so i rotated the bottom snap and snapped it under the sheath. the design of the sheath makes the bottom snap useless,it took me a year to finally buy this because i thought it would be a pain to get out of the sheath, but actually it is easier than a bowie its size, cause the half open top design covers the bottom half of the blade so you only have to pull out 6 inches of blade instead of 11, but its also secure and easy to re sheath. i love it, u can wear it on atv in truck, on horse, or on foot. the weight is no issue cause the sheath is comfortable. if you have Nancy wrists you may have issues. my girl has small hands and wrists so it's hard for her to use it safely, she is a small lady though, no offense to the ladies. or men with Nancy wrists. hope i was helpful. GOD BLESS THE USA AND OUR TROOPS

How could Ka-Bar associate this terribly cheap Sheath with such an awesome blade?!!? Pro's: I really like the blade! Great design, balance & quality.. (so far) .. Sharp- like get to work on something or combat ready Sharp! Such a nice looking machete, blade, knife!!! The handle Rules, seriously.. in feel, comfort, grip, size & look!.. Even the Sheath looks good, but! Con's: seriously cheap, terrible quality Sheath for a blade that is really Sharp. I'm torn: because this is a really nice blade & such a ridiculous & cheap *ss Sheath, scabbard!.. Ugh!

This is a great knife. Lightweight, sturdy as hell, good sheath, keeps an edge very well. Mine did not come sharp, as many have said theres did. This really is not an issue as I had it sharp 30 seconds later, and have not had to sharpen it since. In the field, I use a sterling knife sharpener because it is lightweight and does a fairly good job. Not that I need it for this (it retains its edge extremely well) but if you own a sterling sharpener you will be glad to know the angle on this blade seems like it was made for the sterling sharpener. (probably the sharpener made for it, I believe those are made for ka bar knives, but thats a topic for a different thread). Yes, the blade needs to be oiled. There is quite a bit of healthy debate on whether carbon, or stainless steel is best for knives. Lets just say this, my father is a metallurgist and he says both have their advantages, but 1095 cro-van steel is some of the hardest steel made for tools. I can see this, it retains its edge beautifully. I also own a stainless knife, love both, but for a tool like this machete that is designed to be abused I think carbon steel is best. Oiling it is not a big deal, and if you do get rust on it just sharpen it off. I would recommend this knife if the price tag were $100. At $45 its impossible to beat.

As much as I hate to use the old adage "A jack of all trades, but a master of none" when talking about tools, it applies so perfectly here with Ka-Bar's.. large knife..small machete.. camp axe.. boarding weapon.. whatever you want it to be. Usually, when I hear people apply the term to a knife or tool, it's with a scornful tone. In the case of the cutlass, I say it with endearment. As an avid backpacker and trailblazer, I want to share my thoughts on why I have deemed this as my most trusted and worthwhile tool: a blade which I keep on my belt at all times when on extended stays outdoors. To anyone who values traveling lightly, this is a ~20 oz (with sheath) multi tool you will never regret having in your pack or on your leg. However, do not be mistaken: an ideal set up when venturing in the wilderness ALWAYS dictates, at the very least, a small to medium sized knife, and a larger tool blade such as a machete or axe. All of which depend on your location and goals. Relying only on one blade for everything is risky. Which brings me to my first point; the absolute uniqueness of the cutlass's design and functionality. It's pretty hard to categorize this beaut but in the most objective of observations I think it is best described as a large knife. Many people list the blade thickness at 1/8", but with a ruler at the base of the spine it clocks in at just under 3/16 of an inch: a length much thicker than traditional brush machetes (as a reference point my Ontario 18 is in the 1/16 - 3/32" range and that is considered a rather stout machete for its size). It's very forward heavy with the large belled blade and, overall, is surprisingly heavy for its size at around 16 oz. This design is overtly made for massive chopping action very similar to a hatchet or small axe. And when you take your first few swings with it, you'll feel like you're, in fact, wielding a hatchet. Much like the increasingly popular kukri design, it chops with as much gravity as it does technique. When properly wielded and maintained, it cut through small to medium diameter wood of all types like butter. In fact, in my experience it has performed just as well if not better than any hatchet I own. Unfortunately, the cutlass will still get outclassed in chopping by a good cruiser or hand axe and even extremely robust blades like the Cold Steel Gurkha Kukri. Regardless, refer back to that "machete" label in the product description because when put to the brush and briar, the cutlass can perform in league with full sized machetes. 11" (I admittedly think I'd prefer it at 12 inches) is just enough surface area on a blade to get good horizontal momentum and connection, that it can clear trails with the best of them. This style of blade was favored by sailors due to the ease with which it could cut through thick nautical cordage on ships. Perhaps the icing on the cake is the fact the cutlass is still just small enough to do finer work with the back half of the blade. It may be more clumsy and time consuming than a proper bushcraft or wood working knife, but it can be done much easier than with an axe or full sized machete. I can think of numerous occasions in the Sierra Nevedas where the workload was light and it was the only blade I used all day. From proportioning firewood to chopping up a few vegetables, everything was achieved at zero inconvenience. If forced to take only one blade into catastrophe and the unknown, my cutlass would be at my side. Though I'd much rather have a Gransfors Bruks axe next to my wood pile, an Ontario 18 in the swamps of Georgia or the jungles of the Amazon, and any Mora on my belt with fresh game or fish, I could carry my cutlass with confidence knowing I could use it for any of the above tasks. It is my permanent companion on extended stays in nature and provides a psychological comfort on par with a firearm or fire starter. Buy it with confidence and trust it with your life. It's a tool that will last generations with the proper care. As a side note: To make it a true jack-of-all-trades knife, I recommend the factory hollow grind (which, admittedly, is an odd choice of grind for a knife like this) be replaced by a more consistent convex angle on the bell, and 2 - 2 1/2" of a scandi grind near the rear for finer work. This is a relatively common modification made to machetes to give them more versatility. The hollow grind did work fine for me, though. The 1085 steel is easy to sharpen on a hollow grind and still retains the edge decently. Just be careful as it is more delicate than convex on a tool made to be used and abused such as this. Also, the sheath is only just decent. The leather and cordura will not hold up to repeated exposure, especially if you live in wet areas. I was able to get quite a bit of mileage out of mine before it was completely unusable. If you plan on using this blade extensively, I recommend investing in constructing your own kydex sheath. It can be done cheaply with minimal tools. Check out some tutorials online.