Ontario 18" Sawback Machete (Black)

$34.98

Ontario Sawback Machete. 18" carbon steel sawback blade with black zinc phosphate finish. 23-1/4" overall. Black high impact shatterproof polymer handles. Scabbard available separately.

Made in USA.

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5 stars: 0 (0%)
4 stars: 1 (100%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Beastly, but needs better teeth

Construction: This machete is made from 1075 (some sources say 1095) steel with a tough plastic handle secured with rivets. The blade is through-hardened, which concerned me initially, but not after I used it. I have chopped through 8 inch pine and 6 inch hardwood with it. I have also batoned with this machete, including one instance in which it sprang back straight after a 15° bend. I have struck rocks and stumps (accidentally) after passing through brush. It dings, but does not chip the blade. A few strokes with a file brings it back to slicing sharp. It's the thickest machete I've used, so it's heavy, but it can still swing fast. Just beware of the follow-through.

Ergonomics: The pinky hook on the end is more useful than it looks. On multiple occasions, it has kept me from throwing the machete on a swing through the target. The handle is square with rounded corners. This is not overly comfortable bare-handed (I use gloves), but is very effective at preventing twist when the target bounces or redirects the blade. The weight means it acts a lot like a hatchet, but with slightly better balance.

The only reason this gets 4 stars is because of the saw teeth. They are short and have no set. I tried to drill out half the teeth, but even with a titanium nitride-coated bit, I couldn't drill it. Nor could I bend the teeth to give them a set. They're too hard! I plan to grind away every other tooth. Otherwise, I recommend getting the plain blade machete:

Even with stubby teeth, this is still a beast. I recommend this machete with the understanding that the teeth are ineffective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your shipping policies and how fast will my order arrive?

North River Outdoors offers free shipping for purchases of $99 and over within the United States (some oversized items may incur charges). We strive to ship in-stock orders within 24-48 hours, often the same day if placed before 5 PM Eastern Time. Standard free shipping typically arrives via UPS or USPS within 3-6 business days. We currently ship to the USA at this time. You can track your order status by logging into "My Account" on our website.

What is your return and exchange policy?

We offer a 60-day return policy for unopened and unused items, for a 100% refund. Items must be returned in the same (or similar) condition in which they were received. Opened, used, or damaged products, or those not following our return policy, may be subject to a 15% restocking fee. We reserve the right to refuse returns in non-sellable condition. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs.

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Do you offer any services like knife sharpening or gear repair?

Yes! We offer a range of services at our Virginia store, including knife sharpening, axe sharpening and rehandling, knife/axe cleaning and conditioning, and waxed canvas bag/pack waxing and conditioning. We also provide laser engraving. Drop-off for services is available Monday-Saturday, with a typical turnaround of 1-2 business days.

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Our physical store, North River Outdoors, is located at 2941 River Road W, Goochland, VA 23063 USA. Our store hours are always kept up-to-date on our website. You can find our contact information, including phone and email, on our "Contact Us" or "Our Store" pages.

Do you offer Classes or Events?

Yes, our Virginia store hosts a variety of hands-on training Classes and Events throughout the year. We invite you to check our website's "Classes & Events" section or our blog for an updated calendar and information on upcoming workshops, like knife forging, carving classes and our popular Axe Throwing Events.