Any opinions on the Cabela's Slimline Machete?

In a word: DON'T!
My store also sells this. We call it, "The Stealth Ronin." It's cheap SS from United cutlery or something. The blade is prone to bending, and the wrap comes undone very easily. If you really want this, do a search for "Ninja" on e-bay and i'm sure you'll find them for $9.95 or something. But if you need a machete, don't even bother with this one.
-KC
 
Oh grief! Seconded. Don't buy those things, they are strictly for the mall ninja crowd and are usually sold as "tactical" katana or some other silliness...
 
The ad indicates that this one is made out of carbon steel, so it is not the mall ninja version. It looks to me like it is good for what it says, cutting grass and brush. The key is that the narrow blade makes this an inefficient design for anything that is very thick. It just doesn't have enough blade weight where you need it. I have used a bayonet with about the same blade heft and it was not as efficient as a regular machete for general work. The long handle would help some for getting extra blade speed for light brush.

For light brush you would be better off with a machete with a 22-inch blade. This could be light and cheap like a Tramontina. For general utility an 18-inch machete works very well. If you have to cut through a lot of material that is over 2-inches thick you might want a 3/16-inch thick tapered blade like a bolo-style.

PS. I think that this blade would probably whoop ass on the mall ninjas.
 
Jeff Clark said:
The ad indicates that this one is made out of carbon steel, so it is not the mall ninja version. It looks to me like it is good for what it says, cutting grass and brush. The key is that the narrow blade makes this an inefficient design for anything that is very thick. It just doesn't have enough blade weight where you need it. I have used a bayonet with about the same blade heft and it was not as efficient as a regular machete for general work. The long handle would help some for getting extra blade speed for light brush.

For light brush you would be better off with a machete with a 22-inch blade. This could be light and cheap like a Tramontina. For general utility an 18-inch machete works very well. If you have to cut through a lot of material that is over 2-inches thick you might want a 3/16-inch thick tapered blade like a bolo-style.

PS. I think that this blade would probably whoop ass on the mall ninjas.
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While it's true it's better the the averages stainless junk carried by your average mall ninja it's only a matter of degree. You've already noted it's failings as a machete, and it's got WAY more as a sword...
 
Cabelas Sucks! $70??!! They dont even mention the type of steel, other than saying its "super tough Carbon steel". Coming from United cutlery, or based on their crappy design- I wouldnt even buy one for $10. Cabelas is where mall ninjas get camping gear for their backyard safaris! :barf: :barf:

Note to self: Never Go To Cabelas!
 
acolonelofcorn said:
Cabelas Sucks! $70??!! They dont even mention the type of steel, other than saying its "super tough Carbon steel". Coming from United cutlery, or based on their crappy design- I wouldnt even buy one for $10. Cabelas is where mall ninjas get camping gear for their backyard safaris! :barf: :barf:

Note to self: Never Go To Cabelas!
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Do you know of a better camping, hunting, fishing, equipment supplier? They have a huge selection of top quality gear, and at good prices. Who cares if they also sell a cheap sword/machete? Grow up.
 
I actually handled this at the Cabelas store in PA. It is WAY overpriced for what it is. The quality of it seems very poor and I'd be very disappointed with it if I ordered it sight unseen from their catalog. It is not a Frost Cutlery ninja sword, I actually recieved one of those as a gift and the steel (if you can call it that) at the edge can be bent over by your fingernail! I slammed the edge of the machete against the metal rack and it did not bend or roll but a couple of people gave me a strange look :eek:. I think you can find a machete that will work as well or better for a lot less money.
 
Lil Timmy said:
Do you know of a better camping, hunting, fishing, equipment supplier? They have a huge selection of top quality gear, and at good prices. Who cares if they also sell a cheap sword/machete? Grow up.
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What, do you work there, or you are offended that I hate Cabelas because you shop there alot? Why dont you grow up and Smell the corporate feces coating your nostrils.

Jack@ss.
 
Actually neither, but it's a great company. And seeing some mall ninja bash them for not carrying a better sword is a little annoying. :p
 
Lil Timmy said:
Actually neither, but it's a great company. And seeing some mall ninja bash them for not carrying a better sword is a little annoying. :p
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LOL! :p :) Still isnt a great company though! :p :p
edit: I wish I was a Mall Ninja- They get to buy their knives with money from their allowances (just like Lil Timmy) :D
 
Can you explain why they aren't a great company? No.

I buy from Cabelas maybe once or twice a year. Great selection, good prices, and great customer service. But if you are a 15 year old kid looking to buy cheap swords to play with, I guess I can see why you wouldn't like them.

You should check out the BudK catalog, it's right up your alley. :D
http://budk.com/default.asp
 
Cabelas sells some quality knives also. They carry a line of Buck knives made of S30V steel. I just bought a Buck 110 in S30V that came in a very nice quality leather sheath for $60.
I think that these Alaskan Guide series knives are probably underpriced for their quality.
I agree that some of their items are pure junk but there are a number of excellent products if you take the time to check them out.
 
They also have BM Griptillians in D2. Awexome stuff. You can't really rate a store by one product, overpriced or not. We have a great knifestore in my area that deals with a lot of high-end custom folders and great swords. (not my store. my competitor's.) Still, they have a few bottom shelf Chinese knives. They still cost more than you would pay at the flea market. But that doesn't mean that the store is bad.
I would say that the vast majority of cabela's products are of good quality and are reasonably priced.
-KC
 
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