KAKURIJapanese NATA Tool Knife 8.2" Made in Japan, Bushcraft Hatchet Axe with Sheath for Camping, Outdoor, Campfire, Gardening

Purchased many woodworking tools from KaKUrI so I know they manufacture quality tools. I recently moved and wanted a fresh start with better quality tools for gardening. I gave away all my old garden tools to friends that are first time homeowners. For the new house, I wanted smaller tools (hand saws, matchete, shears) with very high quality that I can store in a cabinet drawer.What I liked about the Japanese Matchete & Hatchet Axe?-COMPACT size with good feel and balance-FORGE STEEL blade that is stout and very sharp-OVERALL quality of product from oak handle, thick japanese steel blade, and leather case-THE COOL FACTOR of the blade and handle plus the black leather sheath make it coolWhat I used the NATA for?-CHOPPING massive vines that were 2 to 4 inches thick to make way for new shrubs-CUTTING up thick brush that was overgrown in small wooded area-HACK overgrown shrubs on the property lineDefinetly would by again.

This is a very nice Nata but I worry about breaking the handle since it is not a full tang. And for the price I expected the sheath to be real leather, not plastic. I’m sure it will perform the light chopping duties I expect to address with it.

Well made, partial tang Japanese axe. Does what it says it's going to do. Heavy, sturdy, sharp just what it takes to be an axe.

Well made, nicely balanced, holds an edge well. Nice cross between a machete and an axe. Easy to carry.

Bought this a few months ago. It looks and feels great, just the right amount of weight to it. However just took it camping this weekend for the first time and I was making some kindling from a 2" piece of wood for it's first tryout when I noticed the chip in the middle of the blade. A bit disappointed because I really like this Nata. I'll have to file it out some how.

I first heard of the nata, from story in Kowabana volume 7 and was curious about how well it works. As I had a bunch of small volunteer trees to take care of, I went ahead an order one. It feels very nice in the hand and easily chop through the volunteer trees. The one thing I would have preferred, is a full tang, but outside of that it is well made. One other flaw is in the scabbard. The one strap for locking the nata down, gets in the way of the blade. This has given it a slight cut (fixed with duct tape). Remember this hatchet knife comes sharpened and is not a toy.

Have used a few times now doing light chopping and to baton larger pieces for the campfire. Handle and fastenings remain tight and strong, blade shows no ill effect, and weight is not excessive enough to not take along even when bike packing. Very happy.

I haven’t used it but by the weight of it, I know it will be a great camping tool.