Cold Steel All Purpose Tactical Machete with Sheath, Great for Clearing Brush, Survival, Camping and Outdoor Activities, Barong Machete

I took this with me today to walk with my father to the back of my property and discuss some new building ideas. We always take his machete, which is >70 years old with rusted chunks out of the edge, but he knows how to use it and he does it well. I've brought other 'newfangled' machetes out to test in the past, but he always scoffed and somehow, still chopped cleaner than myself with that rusted hunk of steel.We only cleared a ~300 yard trail today, but we were both impressed by the chopping power of this blade. I was watching the dogs while he gave it a try and the first thing I heard was "My goodness!". I turned to see him pointing this Barong machete at a 2.5" stump of a plant. "I just barely gave more power than letting the blade fall!" He turned back to his work and seemed to really enjoy using this tool. The only time he scoffed is when I pulled the blade out; It does look unique (newfangled). We cleared out to the back in record time and I did more than half the chopping. I did get a little fancy with a few swings, taking down 8-10 small plants with one horizontal swing, but the regular machete swing felt natural and easy. The Plastidip handle I put on it was an absolute dream for the ungloved hand.My only issue with this machete was the lack of decent texture on the grip, which was also a little narrow for my ape-hands. I hate to badmouth this item, I love it, but I think I have broomsticks thicker than the stock grip. Gripping something too small will rub more blisters and use more energy, not to mention be potentially more dangerous. The shape of the handle would most likely ensure that the majority of friction will be on the bottom pinky finger where it curves, but I'd rather attempt to spread that friction out across my hand instead of creating a hot spot on your finger like many elaborately shaped machetes are prone to do. I looked into different grip additions, but most were costly, ugly, didn't cover the right spots, or all of the above.I bought a gallon of white plastidip for another project and decided to give it a try. I had never dipped tool handles before, but I got a crash-course last night; Dipping almost a dozen tool, knife, sword, and walking stick handles. (I might have gone a little crazy once I got it right) On this item, I only dipped up to the faux hilt because the paint can was too shallow. However, after 4 extremely slow handle dips, letting it try 30 minutes in between coats, this handle fills my hand much better and gives and comfortable, but immovable grip on the tool. Now, my pinky is now just a guide for grip as opposed to a mashed focus point for swing strength. On other tools, I added texture to the plastidip with a broken comb, tapping the tines against the plastidip ~10-12 minutes after last dip. This gives a spiky-rubber handle feeling. Not uncomfortable, but very aggressive for maximum grip. This handle did not require texture in my opinion, but most certainly benefits from the plastidip grip itself. After a few years, white plastidip handles look kind of like bone; That should be a nice look.This is an extremely well-built item that, with a small tweak, can be a supreme bush clearing tool. For the price, this is an exceptional deal.

I chose this Barong machete because of my great experience with Cold Steel’s Kukri machete for camping and fire-making. The edge profile was well-designed and sharp enough for my needs, while the handle was comfortable and easy to grip. This is a versatile, all-purpose machete—another excellent product from Cold Steel.

I have quite a few Cold Steel machetes. There are a few things I have come to expect from them. Well made handle, good quality steel with decent hardness, rough edge that may be uneven, rough blade finish with baked on black coating to prevent rust, and nylon sheath with plastic sheets on each side of the tip.Basically the machete is made of good material, has a low price that is mainly sacrificed in finish quality.The Barong is not any of these things. The handle is indeed nicely shaped, but it seems more attention has been put into the shape of it. The palm swell and angle lock the hand in place and shift the point down close to in line with your index finger. Shifting your hand forward gives you traditional grip that is slightly coke bottle shaped. It swells towards the curve and the blade to keep the hand in place. The grip is not at all aggressive, but still remains grippy when wet.The edge is perfectly centered and does not exhibit the large burr I expected. Furthermore the sides of the blade are not a rough black baked paint, but a smooth, almost shiny enamel.Finally the sheath is made of the usual nylon outer layer, but the tip has a molded plastic cover that covers the entire tip. Thus giving the tip much more robust covering to prevent the blade from poking through.Overall this is the nicest finished machete I have gotten from Cold Steel. It cuts like a demon and has long reach. Would highly recommend.

I just opened my Barong machete, it is great. Pretty sharp but I stropped it with 1000 grit sanding paper and now it shaves. I taped the handle with Hockey Tape, its awesome. Cloth tape with great glue, Hocky players use it on hockey sticks. It gives a great feel and non slip. For $30.00 this machete is awesome. I thought about cutting the blade to 12" but now I like the 18". My old girl friend always said, (Longer is Better.)I think she is right. I am an old fellow so I don't hit the woods any more. I sleep with this Barong Machete next to me. The world has changed it seems so it might come in handy sometime. I think everyone should have one of these. I don't smoke, drink of do drugs so I buy sharp objects. Have a great day everyone. Bless you !! Big Jimmers