Ontario Sawback Machete 18 inch Blade

(28 reviews)

4.2 out of 5 stars

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

Kevin

Oct 15, 2016

Pros: None

Cons: Materials, Blade Sharpness, Blade Material, Handle Material, Sheath/Scabbard

Bad knife, but with exceptions

I have the U.S. military version, same style yet shorter. I ordered this one to see the difference, and there are some big differences between the civilian version and the military version. Ill go through the civilian version.1. Not the greatest to hold an edge.2. Bad to baton wood3. sharpener broke first thingMilitary version is different in the fact there is no sharpener, in a nylon sheath, and holds an edge for a long while. My advice, try and get ahold of the military version.

Emil P
vasteras sweden

Aug 28, 2016

Pros: None

Cons: Handle Material, Blade Material, Sheath/Scabbard

Simple machete for abusive use.

Ontario 18" sawback is made of soft metal wich becomes dull easly, need to be resharpened quite often. The design is good because it's straight, easy and simple to use. The hollow plastic handle fell apart the first day, I'd put super glue in the rivets and hammered back in place. The carbid sharpener on the plastic sheath was broken within the first week, fixed it, again, with help of super glue. The sheath itself was too tight cause of a very fat rivet, I'd expanded the entry with help of folded paper wich I forced down on top of the rivet alongside with the machete blade. The sawback destroys the sheath, but also do work to saw branches, but it's far from excellent. The way I like this thing is because it's simple and "tacky", I'm not afraid to sacrifice this blade at all, therefore I get some dirty work done with this tool.

Amo
Calvert MD

Jul 09, 2012

Pros: Weight, Overall Quality, Blade Material

Cons: None

Loved it... You will too.

I bought one of these machetes about 10 years ago. I cannot say how many situations it was useful for.Its weight is heavy toward the tip, meaning you can to some good chopping with it. Eventually I got to the point where I left the camp axe at home. You can baton through anything. With a machete proper technique is critical - no death grip. If you see reviews of these breaking this is why, Improper operation. Remember this tool is made of a higher carbon steel than most. You really can count on this tool to last a long time if you learn to use it and maintain it. This leads me to why I'm getting a new one. On my last campout I let a friend use it, (I actually chop my firewood with this) he tried to do the same and somehow it broke. I would recommend this tool to anyone, and get a good sheath, i like the leather ones with a pocket for a stone.