When Ka-Bar gets a mention, most people think about the famous USMC knife which is fair enough considering that it is essentially a piece of history. However, one of their lesser known models is the 14″ grass cutter machete. Now if you read around a bit you will see that there are a few negative reviews for this machete which are completely unjustified. A lot of people buy this machete expecting it to be able to cut through wood limbs and tougher growth, however, that is not what it is made for. Like the title suggests, this machete is made for dealing with grass, soft plants and weeds the weaker and thinner shrubs.

So it is unfair to call this machete “Crap” because you are using it for a different purpose than it was intended. It is like entering a tank in a car race and complaining when you don’t win. You are using the wrong object for that task. So if you are looking for a machete which will be able to clear through shrubs, berry bushes and grass the Ka-Bar Grasscutter is what you have been looking for. However, if you are looking for something a bit tougher and want to de-limb trees or cut through tougher objects then you may want to look at another type possibly the woodman’s pal.

Making a quality KA-BAR machete requires the talent of experienced craftspeople performing dozens of processes with precision and skill. Each machete undergoes specific manufacturing processes to ensure corrosion resistance, strength, edge holding ability, and an out-of-the-box razor sharp cutting edge. Soon after its introduction in the mid-1920’s, the KA-BAR trademark became widely known and respected.

There have been many versions of how the KA-BAR name came to be, but all evidence points to a letter received from a fur trapper. This particular fur trapper’s testimonial turned out to be the most significant ever received by the company. He wrote, in very rough English, that his gun had jammed and that he had therefore relied on his knife to kill a wounded bear that was attacking him. In thanking the company for their quality product the trapper described using his knife to kill the bear. All that was legible of his scrawled writing was “k a bar”. The company was so honored by this testimonial that they adopted this phrase and used it as their trademark, KA-BAR!

Features

• Used by all branches of military and service members
• Great for collectors and outdoor services
• Tested to ensure quality and durability
• High quality 14″ blade made from 1085 carbon steel
• Durable handle made from black kraton G
• Heavy-duty cordura sheath
• Overall length 19 1/2″
• Heavy cutting tool

Blade

The blade on the Ka-Bar Grass cutter is excellent for doing what it was intended to do. The duplex grind on the machete provides it with an incredibly sharp and fine edge which makes it perfect for clearing that weaker and harder to cut grass and bushes. However as it is fine, if you try clearing woody growth with this you are going to find yourself struggling and dulling your blade quite quickly.

The 1085 carbon steel is top quality and allows you to get a really sharp edge. Better yet, you will also find that you are able to maintain this sharp edge over a period of time and are not going to to have to sharpen it as often as other machete’s. However, this could primarily be due to the fact that, unlike other machete’s you aren’t using this on woody growth which dulls the blade faster.

Handle

The handle on the Ka-Bar 14″ grass machete is made from durable Kraton G material. This allows you to get a really nice and solid grip on the machete and allows you to confidently swing it – in all conditions without the fear of it slipping out of your hand and flying off into the distance (this has happened to me before and trust me it is extremely scary especially when it narrowly misses your hunting partner).

However, some people out there are complaining that the handle can come loose however, I am yet to experience this problem.

Verdict

Overall, if you use the Ka-Bar 14″ Grass Cutter machete for its intended purpose, you are going to find it extremely useful. It clears a wide path and you will find it working wonders. Now whilst it isn’t Ka-Bars most popular models it is still one hell of a machete and one that I would definitely recommend. However if you are looking for a machete to clear woody growth, I would not recommend this one and would instead recommend that you seek out a different model.

Reviews

[scrapeazon asin=”B004NMZYRA”]

Click Here to Read the Full Review Directly on Amazon