- Joined
- Nov 6, 2011
- Messages
- 295
A few preliminary thoughts to share before I take it out and put it to work.
The CS Smatchet is of good size and weight, albeit a bit lighter than expected. It falls somewhere between a WWII Smatchet design and a Barong, with a spine that is a bit thinner than a traditional Smatchet. Grip and sheath are standard CS quality providing secure grip and double snap closure respectively. The blade is rough, with numerous grind marks and burrs on the full edge and half edge. The sloppy haphazard grind has also left the blade covered in tiny metal shavings, and will require some effort to sharpen properly. For $25, the CS Smatchet is no top of the line blade by any means, but is an affordable utilitarian chopping tool. For my purposes, it will be best utilized as a Smatchet trainer, and should perform adequately on the chopping pole. For brush work, I think a traditional machete design, or even large kuke, might be a better choice. Overall, there is nothing to complain about based on the price, especially since it is 1/10 of what a Boker AF Smatchet can be found for on the used market.
The CS Smatchet is of good size and weight, albeit a bit lighter than expected. It falls somewhere between a WWII Smatchet design and a Barong, with a spine that is a bit thinner than a traditional Smatchet. Grip and sheath are standard CS quality providing secure grip and double snap closure respectively. The blade is rough, with numerous grind marks and burrs on the full edge and half edge. The sloppy haphazard grind has also left the blade covered in tiny metal shavings, and will require some effort to sharpen properly. For $25, the CS Smatchet is no top of the line blade by any means, but is an affordable utilitarian chopping tool. For my purposes, it will be best utilized as a Smatchet trainer, and should perform adequately on the chopping pole. For brush work, I think a traditional machete design, or even large kuke, might be a better choice. Overall, there is nothing to complain about based on the price, especially since it is 1/10 of what a Boker AF Smatchet can be found for on the used market.
