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Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Material, Materials, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Sheath/Scabbard
Grab OKC’s 5160 Steel, Before It’s Gone
Hey, at this price for the seemingly rapidly disappearing OKC, 5160 alloy steel, this purchase was a no brainer, even w/out a sheath. This completes my collection of the OKC, “Bushcraft” line in 5160: Utility, Field Knife, Woodsman (now made in 420 stainless?), and Machete. I don’t know what’s going on, but most of OKC’s 5160 steel products are discontinued, or, out of production. Cost of steel? Tariffs? Uninformed consumers, satisfied with 1095 carbon steel? Spec Plus knives in 5160 are all but gone. Bushcraft Field Knife and Utility are still available, and highly recommended for this excellent steel; and large, comfortable, old school handles/scales. On a recent camping/fishing trip, after putting OKC Bushcraft Utility thru the rigors of camp/bushcraft/field knife duties, as I was dicing steak for a breakfast omelet on our last day, a buddy said, “Wow! That knife does everything, don’t it?” Yep, it do. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bushcraft Machete arrived with a very sharp 30 degree edge. It has a fairly comfortable handle with fine fitting Micarta scales (better fit than my 125th Anniv. RATK II, go figure?). I like the bird’s beak pommel for retention. Weight forward balance with fulcrum 3” ahead of handle, but still nimble in the hand. Blade is 3/32” thick (definitely a machete, not a camp knife). Bushcraft Machete has good lateral flex to the blade. OKC’s Master Bladesmith, Dan Maragni’s 5160 steel is tough, and holds an edge longer than its 53-55 Rockwell hardness would seem to indicate. According to Mr. Maragni, he was looking for alignment of the micro structure of the 5160 steel when he conducted extensive research on a heat treatment for this steel. I believe it is this, “alignment of the micro structure,” that gives this steel edge retention beyond its HRC value. Whatever. Good stuff, Maynard! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Don’t pass up a chance to get this great 5160 spring steel. With a little care, this machete will be around for the grandkids to use. This is a deluxe, “Top Shelf” machete; now, at a bargain basement price.