Camillus announced today they have partnered with Les Stroud (Survivorman) to release a survival machete. With a blade that is just shy of 12" and a 6 1/4" handle, its 18" length puts it in the large knife category to me. Camillus puts the blade as heavier than typical machetes at "2/10 inch thick". They list this as being better suited for general survival duties such as heavy duty cutting, digging or prying. MSRP is $77.99.
Jump ahead for more information from the company, including how they use "titanium bonded steel" in this blade.
more
About the Camillus SK Jungle Machete: Within reason a large knife is better than smaller knives for survival--it's tough to cut down a four-inch pine tree with a 2-inch folder but you can still dress a squirrel with a large blade. However, conventional machetes can be too long for good general purpose use and their thin blades are designed for brush clearing or sugar cane harvesting and are not intended or very good for heavy duty-cutting , digging or prying that survival situations may require. Now comes the purpose-made Camillus SK survival machete with a 2/10 inch thick 113/4-inch blade with its 6¼-inch handle. This 18-inch cutting tool is perfect for almost any survival situation cutting task.
The Carbonitride Titanium treated heavy-duty 440-Stainless Steel blade has a slight sweep inward so as to better capture whatever you may have to cut. The flat tip is also sharpened for use in digging or for smaller cutting chores. The seriously sharp and long edge has a more abrupt edge angle making it ideal for chopping and much safer and useable than a hatchet, the latter which can rotate and slip.
The tough ergonomically designed handle with lanyard hole features contemporary designed TPR rubber inserts for added grip traction even in cold weather thus making the machete more functional and safer. The pommel is checkered hard steel for non-slip hammering making it safer from slipping off a stuck object. A survival expert like Stroud will emphasize you don't run, jump, or do such silly things in any survival situation that can get you hurt and that also goes for any cutting or hammering you may have to do. The ballistic nylon sheath houses a handy fire starter and a nylon mesh pocket for various items like the Les Stroud survival tips packed with each SK Series knife.
For self-defense against deadly wildlife in the field, whittling a toothpick to cutting trees for a shelter, the robust Camillus SK Survival machete is a top pick for the serious outdoors-person whether belt carried, stowed in a backpack, snow machine or in your favorite off road vehicle.
Specifications:
- Blade: 11 ¾ -inch; 2/10-inch thick (about 13/64"), Carbonitride Titanium bonded non-stick 440 C Stainless Steel.
- Blade design: Inward swept with very-slight hollow-ground edge.
- Hardness: 55 Rockwell C scale:
- Handle: 5 ½ - inch polypropylene with high traction TRP rubber inserts
- Weight: 18-ounces
- Sheath: Ballistic Nylon with a nylon mesh accessory pocket and fire starter
- Overall length: 18-inches
- Machete Weight: 22 Ounces, sheath 10 ounces
- MSRP: $77.99
- Overall Length: 18-inches
- Les Stroud: Survival tips
Camillus Carbonitride Titanium Bonded Steel is a unique and exclusive chemical process that bonds formulated titanium and chromium nitride to the steel. This formulation actually penetrates the treated steel and results in an integral surface that penetrates and bonds with the steel. This treatment creates a surface that is up to three times harder than the base steel. Additionally, the finish is much more corrosive resistant than even 440 Stainless Steel and due to its slickness it provides a more friction free cutting surface.
