This is my most viewed video and I've gotten some criticism about it. What a lot of people see as product failure is really user error. The fact is that nowadays I will pack this is my only cutter leaving my folding saw or other knives behind for basic bush tasks. I've used this to chop though four inch hardwood with a fraction of the effort of a saw. With this I can split wood effortlessly that no machete or knife could and or course mow brush stuff down for hammock hang and a camp or dig a cat hole really quickly. Two years later this goes with me everywhere because it's so versatile.
Thanks for your video. I have a made in Japan Nata that is sharpened on both sides. The blade is not as long as yours, but the handle may be slightly longer. It's a great tool, but I find myself going back and forth between a hatchet and the nata, so generally I think one could easily substitute for the other, except the nata doesn't have a hammer end, so I guess I'd have to come down on the side of the hatchet in a pinch. I have an old Estwing hatchet that my dad got me when I was about 8 years old for my yard work business that I started. It's now 63 years old and still looks and works great.
Thanks for the comment! There are a LOT of variations to the Nata for sure. For backpacking and stuff this is more practical than an axe for the simple fact that it's so easily packable and does what I need it to do. If I was gonna build a log cabin or something I'd still want the power of an axe for sure.
The loop of leather near the middle of the sheath is a “secondary” belt loop ( I prefer it). It lowers the sheet and gives a better angle for removal from the sheath.
Seems like a decent tool for light brush. Im considering making my own version of this machete. If I do mine will be longer and wider across the spine. The extra spine width and the extra length would give it more strength and the weight would help with the cutting force when the tool is used. Thanks for the review
This is quite a bit more capable than your average machete. To me it bridges the gap between that and a camp axe. Making a cruder version of this from leaf spring material would be a viable option for you. You could get more weight and spine thickness. Most NATA blades look exactly like that and don't have the curve like this one does. Thanks for the comment!
I love my Nata (Barebones via Bespoke Post) and have had no issues. Mine arrive razor sharp, so I don't know why yours didn't. Definitely my go to field blade.
Cool. It works for people like you and I but others not so much. I've recieved other blades from them that were shave sharp. I just got the Nata Hatchet which I'm definately going to need to keen up. Thanks for chiming in Allen.
I've found that as a chopper it really has a sweet spot about a third of the way down from the tip that delivers a lot of force efficiency. I'm sure it's entirely possible to break the blade by hitting something really dense near the tip with a enough force that it doesn't just bounce off. Nice goin' ya brute!
@@timothydornan6517 interesting comparison. I also have a kukuri which I like a lot too but it's blade is too thin for splitting. It's strictly machete action. I'm glad you're like the nata.
@@NateBuker I’ve had a few. One Nepalese kuk that was as useful as it was pretty, and another from the same company that was a solid kilo of ugly steel. The blade on the second one appeared to have warped during quenching, so I have it set aside, handle off and slowly rusting, waiting for me to find the time to straighten it and re-quench it. I might thin out the cheeks while I’m at it. It’s a bit beefy.
Looks like a really nice tool to have. I'm not going to buy a hatchet since I'm expecting to have to trek through some brush and need a machete, but don't want to carry a machete AND a hatchet. This seems to be a nice compromise between the two.
Hi David. The Nata has traditional use in Japanese construction as well so I imagine creating notches and chisel tasks is it's intent -- it's certainly sharp enough for it though the handle doesn't provide a pummel for heavy duty work. I used the tip for digging and cutting through some roots making a fire pit last week.
I've chopped through several 3-4 inch oak limbs, split lots of oak and maple firewood and some light duty yard work. I've had this for a year and a half and have only taken a honing rod to it a few times to keep the edge nice.
Would it be ok to use on a birders of paradise trimming? I currently use a light weight hand saw that looks like a machete. I saw it. So, curious if you can do same w this?
Couldn’t agree more. I’m a Pacific Islander and we were practically born with a machete in our hands. Watching the lack of West want in machete videos makes me cringe.
It's been holding up well and I haven't been gentle with it I've chopped through several 3-4 inch oak branches and split lots of oak and maple with it and have only used a honing rod to keep it keen. It has developed some rough spots but is still performing wonderfully. If I ever need to grind a new edge I'll need some ideas.
@@NateBuker Neat, thanks for the response. I saw a guy on another machete review video use a dremel tool with a flat round bushy bit to sharpen and reshape a really dulled out machete.
Yes it needed a nice honing. I did that and have another video where I easily take down a three inch tree with it. Other people tell me they got theirs razor sharp out of the box. Oh well.
My bad for choosing springy targets on the get-go. Believe me I've done plenty of clearing and hardwood chop-throughs with this. I have plenty of blade choices and I take this wherever I go now.
hello sir im not expert on chopping using machete or axe. but i observe the way you chop using Nata, you put alot of energy using your body. you hack so hard to separate into parts with suddenness or violence. i will not correct your way of doing it, but i want you to try just using the own weight of Nata and a lil bit of elbow swing with angle.
I'm not impressed by the chopping performance you showed - maybe reprofiling it to a scandi or slightly convex grind would help to improve the performance. No matter, how tough the wood is, a 1-1.5" sapling shouldn't require more than 1-2 strikes.
Not many people are impressed with my chopping performance here! Choosing a less springy point or providing tension to the area to cut would have helped cut that branch. If you want Mr. Slick demo guy I'm not him. Thanks for the comment!
@@mannihh5274 I've been using this for over a year now for everything from brush clearing, processing firewood and even chopping through four inch oak limbs. I think the blade design decisions have resulted in an extremely versatile tool, but if you want a camp knife or an axe get a camp knife or an axe. For me this has fit in my kit by being one very capable tool. My only complaint is that I still think the handle is too small.
Neither. I chose some silly, springy targets for this at first. I've done big brush clearing and hard, thick wood chopping with this since and it performs well. I carry it on my pack wherever I go now.
This is my most viewed video and I've gotten some criticism about it. What a lot of people see as product failure is really user error. The fact is that nowadays I will pack this is my only cutter leaving my folding saw or other knives behind for basic bush tasks. I've used this to chop though four inch hardwood with a fraction of the effort of a saw. With this I can split wood effortlessly that no machete or knife could and or course mow brush stuff down for hammock hang and a camp or dig a cat hole really quickly. Two years later this goes with me everywhere because it's so versatile.
I admittedly haven't tried anything other than a packable shovel for cat holes, how would you use this for that task?
Just got the upgraded version today and my first machete. Thanks for this review looking forward to building a collection.
I wasn't aware of the upgrade. I'll have to check that out. Thanks.
Thanks for your video. I have a made in Japan Nata that is sharpened on both sides. The blade is not as long as yours, but the handle may be slightly longer. It's a great tool, but I find myself going back and forth between a hatchet and the nata, so generally I think one could easily substitute for the other, except the nata doesn't have a hammer end, so I guess I'd have to come down on the side of the hatchet in a pinch. I have an old Estwing hatchet that my dad got me when I was about 8 years old for my yard work business that I started. It's now 63 years old and still looks and works great.
Thanks for the comment! There are a LOT of variations to the Nata for sure. For backpacking and stuff this is more practical than an axe for the simple fact that it's so easily packable and does what I need it to do. If I was gonna build a log cabin or something I'd still want the power of an axe for sure.
The loop of leather near the middle of the sheath is a “secondary” belt loop ( I prefer it). It lowers the sheet and gives a better angle for removal from the sheath.
I don't quite see how that works as a secondary belt loop but I have used it as a fastening point on my pack's molle webbing.
it works well to put the blade on your back
Was wondering about that bit of leather on the sheath.
Seems like a decent tool for light brush. Im considering making my own version of this machete. If I do mine will be longer and wider across the spine. The extra spine width and the extra length would give it more strength and the weight would help with the cutting force when the tool is used. Thanks for the review
This is quite a bit more capable than your average machete. To me it bridges the gap between that and a camp axe. Making a cruder version of this from leaf spring material would be a viable option for you. You could get more weight and spine thickness. Most NATA blades look exactly like that and don't have the curve like this one does. Thanks for the comment!
I love my Nata (Barebones via Bespoke Post) and have had no issues. Mine arrive razor sharp, so I don't know why yours didn't. Definitely my go to field blade.
Cool. It works for people like you and I but others not so much. I've recieved other blades from them that were shave sharp. I just got the Nata Hatchet which I'm definately going to need to keen up. Thanks for chiming in Allen.
Min broke about an inch and a quarter/half frome the handle. Clean break. Have seen several pictures of other blades breaking in rhe same spot
I've found that as a chopper it really has a sweet spot about a third of the way down from the tip that delivers a lot of force efficiency. I'm sure it's entirely possible to break the blade by hitting something really dense near the tip with a enough force that it doesn't just bounce off. Nice goin' ya brute!
Great review, thanks. I think I'll purchase.
Awesome! So stoked to hear that you're finding all kinds of uses for it! Dan's getting their field hatchet for his b-day tomorrow. lol!
I barely got started here. Haven't tried the chisel-tip feature yet. I have a feeling this is gonna see a lot of places with me. Thanks, Kim!
Hollow ground edge. Very nice, just got one myself.
The extended belly of the blade is useful for draw cuts as one might do with a kukuri.
@@timothydornan6517 interesting comparison. I also have a kukuri which I like a lot too but it's blade is too thin for splitting. It's strictly machete action. I'm glad you're like the nata.
@@NateBuker I’ve had a few. One Nepalese kuk that was as useful as it was pretty, and another from the same company that was a solid kilo of ugly steel. The blade on the second one appeared to have warped during quenching, so I have it set aside, handle off and slowly rusting, waiting for me to find the time to straighten it and re-quench it. I might thin out the cheeks while I’m at it. It’s a bit beefy.
@@NateBuker but yeah, as far as first impressions go, this little Nata is a beaut. Factory edge took hair off my arm, but not cleanly.
Mine will be here tomorrow.
Badass....I love it, sir.
Thanks for the knowledge.
Living down here in tropical South Florida, that looks like an excellent coconut chopper!!!
Most certainly!
Looks like a really nice tool to have. I'm not going to buy a hatchet since I'm expecting to have to trek through some brush and need a machete, but don't want to carry a machete AND a hatchet. This seems to be a nice compromise between the two.
That's my take away of it. I always have it on my adventures now.
Is the tip of it sharp also? Could be used for notching or chiseling. ?? Thx for the review.
Hi David. The Nata has traditional use in Japanese construction as well so I imagine creating notches and chisel tasks is it's intent -- it's certainly sharp enough for it though the handle doesn't provide a pummel for heavy duty work. I used the tip for digging and cutting through some roots making a fire pit last week.
Take some rest Dad. ^^ I just ordered it today, love the design and heavy duty from your review.
Excellent review
Would you recommend this for clearing burdock, thistle, and some smaller branches from ranch paths?
Just keen up the blade edge a bit and it's a fine machete.
Have you done more work with it to see whether it holds up under use?
I've chopped through several 3-4 inch oak limbs, split lots of oak and maple firewood and some light duty yard work. I've had this for a year and a half and have only taken a honing rod to it a few times to keep the edge nice.
Would it be ok to use on a birders of paradise trimming? I currently use a light weight hand saw that looks like a machete. I saw it. So, curious if you can do same w this?
If I regular 'chete does it this one will too.
The strap you can put it through your belt and cross draw
It doesn't work as well as you might think. I think it's strictly ornamental.
Very good Thanks.
You're welcome Stephen! Thank you too for the sub!
You broke it. Love it
Only thing broke about it is a piece of the handle. They sell replacement handles but it's kind of a non-issue.
I would suggest trying a bit more wrist in your swing instead of the standard machete full arm swing you were using.
Couldn’t agree more. I’m a Pacific Islander and we were practically born with a machete in our hands. Watching the lack of West want in machete videos makes me cringe.
I remember seeing these advertised on fb.
Mata impressed for chopping
It's no axe substitute but a very capable tool for that and other 'chete'tasks. I still pack it every time.
Did you ever figure out how to sharpen the blade properly? And how well does the steel hold sharpness?
It's been holding up well and I haven't been gentle with it I've chopped through several 3-4 inch oak branches and split lots of oak and maple with it and have only used a honing rod to keep it keen. It has developed some rough spots but is still performing wonderfully. If I ever need to grind a new edge I'll need some ideas.
@@NateBuker Neat, thanks for the response. I saw a guy on another machete review video use a dremel tool with a flat round bushy bit to sharpen and reshape a really dulled out machete.
@@AA-dn8dj sorry to say, 3cr is a low end budget steel. It's what you get in cheap chinese folders
Concave grinds are called hollow grinds
Thanks!
So should I sharpen it before I use it than?
No, but knowing how to use it helps.
Oh so this is where Woods went after Call Of Duty: Black ops 2
Handle on mine is cheap and broke apart. Made one from resin that works better.
I got one
Hope you like it as much as I do. It goes with me everywhere.
was that a single cedar plant or a small group of them?
That was a four inch dead trunk I chopped into to the point that I could pull it over.
Если бы у меня была рессора от грузовика я бы из неё себе сделал похожий тесак
2:20 even a small traditional hatchet roughly the same weight would have struck through that in 1-2 swings, lol!
Well ya know strike at springy things when a saw coulda taken it in a few seconds. Operator error. It happens a lot here.
This looks like it would need some serious preshaping right out of the box 🤔
Chisel function with no striking surface.
For sure. Still good for digging and chopping out small roots and stuff.
Pretty sure you have to sharp'nit
Yes it needed a nice honing. I did that and have another video where I easily take down a three inch tree with it. Other people tell me they got theirs razor sharp out of the box. Oh well.
Come here after Higurashi
Well,,, you kinda cracked the blade a bit.
The blade is fine. Better than ever actually since I keened it up.
How do you still have all of your fingers? Get a draw knife.
Maybe I have fingers that grow back.
Why is he so shakey moves fast
Red light fever. Thanks for trolling 😄
it cannot thrust but can function like it can.
What?
Strapp...
that shit is dull AF !!
those tiny branches must be cut in one hit !!
My bad for choosing springy targets on the get-go. Believe me I've done plenty of clearing and hardwood chop-throughs with this. I have plenty of blade choices and I take this wherever I go now.
hello sir im not expert on chopping using machete or axe. but i observe the way you chop using Nata, you put alot of energy using your body. you hack so hard to separate into parts with suddenness or violence. i will not correct your way of doing it, but i want you to try just using the own weight of Nata and a lil bit of elbow swing with angle.
and also you dont need batoning technique. as i said for chopping use own weight of the Nata for splitting.
lastly the way you make kindling and stick the Nata tip to the ground? please dont make it a hobby.
You sure have a lot of advice for someone who's "not an expert"! LOL
Slow down ...
sorry nothing you did performed well at all
That's not what she said.
Dude, slow the fu'down,,
Look
I'm not impressed by the chopping performance you showed - maybe reprofiling it to a scandi or slightly convex grind would help to improve the performance. No matter, how tough the wood is, a 1-1.5" sapling shouldn't require more than 1-2 strikes.
Not many people are impressed with my chopping performance here! Choosing a less springy point or providing tension to the area to cut would have helped cut that branch. If you want Mr. Slick demo guy I'm not him. Thanks for the comment!
@@NateBuker It's not about you, it's about the blade, as you may conclude from my suggestions for improvement.
@@mannihh5274 I've been using this for over a year now for everything from brush clearing, processing firewood and even chopping through four inch oak limbs. I think the blade design decisions have resulted in an extremely versatile tool, but if you want a camp knife or an axe get a camp knife or an axe. For me this has fit in my kit by being one very capable tool. My only complaint is that I still think the handle is too small.
Well, that wasn't very pretty.
Are you trying to irritate me or what?
@NateBuker is just an observation. Like you said.
User error.
@NateBuker excellent tool
THAT IS EITHER BLUNT OR A SHITE MATCHETE....
Neither. I chose some silly, springy targets for this at first. I've done big brush clearing and hard, thick wood chopping with this since and it performs well. I carry it on my pack wherever I go now.