SOG Phantom Strike Machete/HQ Edition

I made the mistake that some others in the reviews had so I went and changed my review. I thought the loop that retains the machete was stitched on backwards and to short. It isn't, it's just tucked in. Pull ot out and your good to go. As far as the machete goes, it works pretty good for Gladius style machete. It's functional but may not be as great as a regular machete. However of you like a Gladius then this is a cool tool to have. It will get the job done.

Beautiful working sword. This is not for cosplay. It's lightweight and easy on the hands. When you need a helping hand, this will level the game. I did have to dull the blade alot!! It comes so sharp...

It;s super cool and it is very functional. cuts through 2' scrub trees with ease.

This thing is sharp, lightweight and bad a**

The machete is fine enough. Its gonna be fun. I did not get a sheath with it. The condition said "used - good." I bought it during a "sale" which after I see the regular price is significantly higher. Then the price of used reflects a decent markdown from the regular price. I have interpolated this just on the evidence of indicators. I really shouldnt have to as it should be clear. I like the machete, it looks like a gladius but not quite as big. The packing was not good. As I opened it I got poked by the tip. It had penetrated the bubble wrap. I'm sorta surprised it didn't pierce the box. Somebody needs to work on that. When talking with my brother he said he'll make a sheath for it and send it to me. (He lives in Alaska and hangs out with some knife makers and does some work with them). So all in all it comes out good so I feel I need to upgrade the stars a bit.

To everyone complaining about the belt loop and snap, you are doing it wrong. The loop is folded inside the sheath and if you pull it out the loop is fine and the retaining strap fits fine and snaps easily.

I'm lucky enough to have the Cold Steel version of this that was still made in South Africa (IMHO, higher quality than the ones currently made in China, and also cheaper than the Chinese CS). This one is shorter (slightly), and has a double edged-edge. In other words, the edge angle is changed as if it was pulled through a sharpener (For this reason, it is MUCH sharper than the CS, but I'm not sure if that makes it weaker with longer term usage. Of course, it also has a large CHINA stamp on it in contrasting white whereas the CS South Africa one was actually punched into the blade, but the color wasn't changed so it actually stands out less. The sheath is the biggest disappointment. I had to really try to get the tip into the opening of the sheath without cutting through the actually case, and it is an effort to get the tip all the way to the bottom. The tip protector on the sheath is also about 30% of the size as the CS version. And the the final insult-- the keeper meant to hold the handle into the sheath is cut too short AND installed upside down, so it does not capture the handle, nor retain the machete at all. This means that it would not be practical to actually use this machete as it can not be securely sheathed between use. Bottom line: if you want mass produced, but looks like the sword Maximus carried, this is neat, but not the quality you used to get.

Had a decent edge and very sturdy. Functional and cut 3” in diameter tree limbs with ease.

Le llaman machete, pero no lo es, Es una mini espada de Gladiador, bastante funcional, aunque se trate de un acero 420, se le puede sacar mucho más de lo que podrías creer. Sacadole más filo y haciendo el filo el las primeras pulgadas del filo aparente ,se crea una punta de casi 4pulgadas de una verdadera daga. Como resultado tendrás un a herramienta de defensa bastante funcional. ALTAMENTE RECOMENDABLE

Love it.

Pretty decent actually. Not sure how strong the steel is because its not carbon steel though. It sure has a thin point to it. Careful. Not a toy.