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Pros: None
Cons: None
It's a beast
I maintain a section of forest that is around 25 acres and my primary work is clearing invasive species like scotch broom, himalayan blackberries and ivy. My large machete has always been too large to comfortably pack around in my satchel or small pack of tools and the large machete is often too large to use in tight spaces (heavy underbrush and dense trees). I've had my eye on the Condor Bushcraft Parang but it wasn't significantly smaller than my other machete so I couldn't justify getting it--but the Impossible Machete is perfect for the job.The compact size in no way detracts from this things cutting ability. It cuts as good if not better than my other, larger, machetes and can accomplish more in much less room. This little beast will easily cut through several inches of woody plant and Himalayan blackberries are no match... even slicing the old-dried-vines with ease.The only major drawbacks of this blade are: (1) the carbon blade and (2) the base of the handle is pretty unforgiving. (1) The carbon bladeDon't get me wrong--the carbon steel is an amazing material and this little beast is perfect for field work. I bought it knowing what I was in for and I already pack battery-cleaner brushes and an oiled rag with me for all my tools. This is just one more tool I clean before putting it back in the sheath... and I store it in a wrapped oilcloth. I have other carbon steel tools so the time consumption isn't the issue... the issue with carbon-steel is if I want to go extended periods of time out on the trail I don't want to have to pack cleaning materials... which relegates this machete to a working tool (which is why I bought it) and keeps it from being a survival tool that you can stuff in a car or backpack and forget about until you need it.(2) The handle design is ergonomically amazing and although the leather the grip is wrapped in is a little slippery and the grip shape demands to be used in a specific-grip-technique: it handles like a dream once you master the grip... what I mean by unforgiving is if your hand does slip down to the base of the handle the bare metal will bite you if you don't have gloves on. All other machetes I've used have some sort of "nub" or rounded base on the handle where this bad cat is pure metal...This only happens when you don't use the correct grip but after chopping for an hour or two my hand slips to the base frequently enough to comment on it.Footnote: I do wish condor would recommend an oil that can be used on the sheath and the blade. None of my other carbon tools have a leather sheath so using 3 in one wasn't an issue but now I'm contemplating switching to mineral oil as it is my understanding 3 in one isn't good for leather.
