UST Paracuda FS Machete

<span>Right away, you should be skeptical if it says “stainless steel” & is also black oxide coated for corrosion resistance - that’s redundant. Since this is magnetic and a very basic sharpening tool strips metal shavings off the edge, this is likely a low-carbon steel that isn’t even properly heat-treated to full hardness (note that the description says “flexible” - marketing speak for “likely to bend”). As everyone notes, they were too cheap to spend the extra 50 cents to double-wrap the handle in paracord. Do NOT plan on hacking branches and saplings without a padded leather glove and a sharpening file handy. However, if you take some time to sharpen the horribly rolled edge that it ships with, it’s cheap insurance to put this in your car for an emergency situation.</span>

<span>To start off I don’t know if mine is the same model however mine is held up pretty well surviving batoning and chopping for years I dunno if it’s a lucky one made well but it’s pretty good , I put wooden scales on it and wrapped them in grip tape so it works great now</span>

<span>This "machete " is worthless and worse than that it is dangerous to the user! It is too light to get a good swing and the paracord wrapping does less than nothing to protect the users hand. The sharp edges of the metal handle under the wrapping come right through to injure the users hand. I was using it to cust small palm tree saplings that were less than 3 feet tall a d it took a good 15 minutes of whacking to cut through and by that time may hand was extremely sore! Worthless product!</span>

<span>Love it , small and strong</span>

<span>Perfect</span>

<span>This product is great! It not very long in length but it will do the job! I don't regret buying it at all but I will purchase another for harder jobs</span>

<span>Personally, I love this tool. I’ve used it for a lot of things including making a bamboo spear and shelter as shown in my pictures. It’s saw is beyond useful and it rips through material with ease. Chopping is a bit more difficult, it isn’t that sharp but can still cut, and the paracord handle is a bit skimpy but you can fix that. I think it’s wonderful value for the money, it absolutely breaks the game. I enjoy using it and owning it.</span>

<span>I haven’t used these (I ordered two) on wood yet. Looks like it will cut wood well, but then again, not sure. BUT, I can say this about the sheaths: the part of the sheath that clasps around the handle DOES NOT WORK because the length of the clasp was apparently designed to fit the machete without the thickness of the paracord in mind. Looks like the handle clasp would work without the thickness of the paracord. So, until you take off the paracord, don’t think the handle snap/clasp will work, which is a potential HAZARD because the handle (and thus the entire machete) is not secured into the sheath. Just be careful when hiking or storing because the entire machete could slip out of the sheath because the handle clasp won’t secure because the handle with paracord is too thick to be secured/clasped. Other than that, looks like a good product. How disappointing.</span>

<span>Got as a Fathers day gift, hubby says it is just what he needed.. he loves the fire-start added on and he actually sleeps with the knife by his bedside ????</span>

<span>Got as a Fathers day gift, hubby says it is just what he needed.. he loves the fire-start added on and he actually sleeps with the knife by his bedside ????</span>

<span>This machete looks fierce! I like the orange (one of my favorite colors!) paracord. I wanted to use this machete to conquer the bain of my property’s existence; CATTAILS in my pond. I have tried just about everything I could think of. This LOOKED like it could handle the job but unfortunately, no. Back to the drawing board.</span>

<div id="video-block-R2Z8YAOUU4J7LE" class="a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block"> <div id="review-video-id-R2Z8YAOUU4J7LE" class="cr-video-desktop cr-video-desktop-placeholder" data-review-id="R2Z8YAOUU4J7LE" data-video-url="https://m.media-KeepShooting.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/f91344ec-8525-4bc3-b26b-a3654de0541a/default.jobtemplate.hls.m3u8" data-closed-captions="en,https://m.media-KeepShooting.com/images/S/vse-vms-closed-captions-artifact-us-east-1-prod/closedCaptions/ba61dd92-311e-436b-bcd4-48b67457f1d6.vtt" data-thumbnail-url="https://m.media-KeepShooting.com/images/I/31qYF3uY8QL._SY256._SY256.jpg"> <div class="cr-media-status-container"> <span class="a-spinner a-spinner-medium cr-media-spinner"></span> <span class="a-color-inverse cr-media-error-msg"> The media could not be loaded. </span> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://m.media-KeepShooting.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/f91344ec-8525-4bc3-b26b-a3654de0541a/default.jobtemplate.mp4.480.mp4" class="video-url"><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://m.media-KeepShooting.com/images/I/31qYF3uY8QL._SY256._SY256.jpg" class="video-slate-img-url"> <span> Paracord handle was already defective straight out of the package.<br>Firestarter does work and will throw some sparks<br>Magnesium on the firestarter as well<br>Blade is sharp, but not impressively sharp - always big blades that are used for chopping aren't supposed to be razor blade sharp.</span>

<span>This is a very nice blade and machete, however, the handle which is made up of the cord wrapped around the handle is not very comfortable to hold. If the handle were better, I'd give it 5 stars.</span>

<span>This is a decent machete for utility use, so I keep it with my tools. It comes with a pretty sharp edge on it and has no problem cutting through brush, hedges and even small (very small) trees and branches that need to be cleared. It's a pretty spartan design, but overall, I do like it. The paracord-wrapped handle initially feels better in the hand than I thought it would, but it doesn't really replace a real handle and becomes tiresome the more you use the Paracuda. The saw blade seems to work ok, and will do if it's all you have, but if you're using this as a tool among tools, it's not going to be my first choice (though it'd be nice to have in a pinch).<br><br>The included firestarter is an odd addition and seems pretty cheap. It's also not that easy to use with the Paracuda, not that I spent a whole lot of time with it. The belt sheath is basic, but is sturdy and holds the Paracuda in place very well. Overall, it's a nice package, and while there are some definite shortcomings (the handle, mostly), it's a good basic tool that should come in handy.</span>

<span>This paracuda knife is actually a good quality blade. I wasn't expecting it to be great, but it has worked great for working the trap line and using our in the woods this winter. I like the handle of paracord which could come in handy in an emergency situation. Overall, for an inexpensive blade this is a good choice.</span>

<span>This is a nice, lightweight machete. The 9 foot parachute cord that is wrapped around the handle, for cushioning and for survival use, is definitely not to be confused with a real cushion handle. Unless you’re wearing some sort of gloves, it’s not the most comfortable thing to use. This is definitely an emergency-use tool. It does do a pretty good job of whacking green limbs, not so good on things that are dry or dead. The saw back is, in my opinion, best used in the pull direction, as it tends to get stuck when trying to push it. It does an ok job of sawing limbs. The machete blade did seem to keep a pretty good edge after I whacked down some dead purple fountain grass in our back yard. As to the fire starter, this is, as well, strictly an emergency use kind of thing. I’ve seen these before, but this is the first time I ever tried to use one. It’s challenging. I never actually got it to work, although I do believe, with some practice and patience, it would, in fact, start a fire. Particularly in wind, the shavings are difficult to keep in one place and when striking the flint, it’s hard to try to get the spark to go into the shavings to start the flame. But, it’s billed as a survival tool, and as a minimal lightweight tool. Made in China.</span>

<span>...is the handle -- but no, even if it doesn't cut and slash and saw -- it DOES have a job to do -- that job has to do with "heft", balance and feel-- using this machete in the vigorous way it is MEANT to be used it NOT comfortable because of the Paracord wrapped around the handle-- it slides, it moves, you FEEL the gaps in between the cords while you are trying to slash, cut, chop, or saw with the (had to be sharpened a bit) Working End of this machete-- the blade, the saw.<br><br>I still have another test to do with this-- and that is to remove the Paracord and see how comfortable the handle really is-- because in an emergency or necessary situation where I have to remove the Paracord, how is THAT going to affect the way this machete feels, and functions?</span>

<span>This functions well. I tested it on a dead eucalyptus tree a neighbor was taking down anyway. It cut through and chopped the dried wood pretty well but not as well as a saw specifically designed for this purpose. The paracord wrapping on the handle is also functional but I can't say it would be comfortable for any extensive, continuous use. The included fire starter has little or no utility for me. The machete comes with a sheath and a slot specifically designed to the hold the fire starter but the fire starter is really too bulky for me to carry around in the sheath so I just keep that in a toolbox. Overall, a good product.</span>

<span>Decent little 'survival' machete. Should be good for hacking kindling on a camping trip, or clearing a little brush when camping or setting up my hunting blind. I'm not sure I'd trust it to get me through the zombie apocalypse, but it's sharp. That said, it's not very comfortable in my hand, so I would not want to hack away with it for long, especially without gloves. Size should make it easy to slide into my pack, however, so it might be a good option for someone who is hiking. The fire-starting and packability of it would make it an asset, I'd think.<br><br>Not bad for a relatively inexpensive machete.</span>

<span>This is essentially the core blade and handle of a machete, with no actual hilt but rather the parachute cord wrapping to form a grip. I like the design of it and the saw blade is a effective for what it is. Good for the price point.</span>

<span>Happy with the quality. For what it is it seems capable of doing what I'd need it to in an emergency. The grip is the weak point in this knife, it's not terribly comfortable. I have short hands so it's not too small it's just the paracord is not exactly comfortable. If you want something better than this, invest in a more expensive durable knife. If you want to start a fire or cut down some weeds or saw a small branch - this should do the trick. I'm giving it five stars for what it is, not what I want it to be, which is a much higher end knife for the money. For the money, this is a great knife. (or small machete)</span>

<span>This is a decent machete and I’ll be keeping it in my camping gear for occasional use, but if you’re looking for a sturdy machete, keep looking. There are two major issues that concern me. The first is that the handle is just paracord wrapped around the metal shaft of the machete. While this means I’ve got paracord handy if needed, it also means that I have a horrible handle for chopping branches. It’s far too thin and it shifts during use. And if I do need the paracord, it’s highly unlikely that I will ever be able to get the same intricate weave around the handle. Which, of course, means I’ll probably never unwrap it because it would make the machete worthless. That’s my biggest gripe and the other is the poor quality of the sheath. It’s very thin and is not going to hold up with a lot of use. I’ll keep this around for the few times I’ll need it to create some kindling, but it’s a bit disappointing.</span>

<span>This is a very sharp machete. I am not used to one that is so sharp so when I first tried it I cut through the limb that was about half the size of a coke can with one swing and came near to hitting my leg. Will teach me not to use such force on a new machete. Love the weight and feel of this machete the handle can be unwound to in case you need the use of string but I am not going to unwrap it because I want get it wrapped back the same way and I like the feel of the way it is out of the box. The case is tight and if I have to find something to complain about it would be this. The case is way to tight and it is hard to put in and take out but on the other hand it does keep the blade secure. It is not overly big and will fit on the side of a back pack without hanging out. The saw blades feel sharp but I am not going to lie I never use this feature if I had to saw something I might as well hack it apart so the blades are sharp and will cut but I am not patient enough to saw something when I can just hack it. Also comes with a flint stick.</span>

<span>I'm not, in general, a survivalist or much of an outdoors woman, however, I've always felt that a machete was one of those things I would deem a necessity in a survival situation. You can use it for so much!<br><br>So when we got this, my daughter and I took it out in to Angeles Crest to give it a try. It's wickedly sharp and has a good heft. It's solid and feels comfortable in my grip. I found it easy to cut through vegetation while we were off trail, though the saw blade was a bit tricky for me. Note: that certainly could be user error. I'm not used to using such a blade and it's possible my technique was faulty.<br><br>The nine foot paracord on the hilt is useful both as additional support for your grip and for a variety of emergency uses.<br><br>All in all, I'm pleased I have this. It's in my emergency bag right now. I may never need to use it in a survival situation, but should push come to shove, I'll be very happy to have this!</span>

<span>Perfectly serviceable machete for yard work, comes nicely pre-sharpened (last one I got needed a lot of extra edge work), in a minimalist style. Blade is basically a straight flat (finished) piece with the guard and hilt as merely a single uninterrupted extension of the blade with different thickness and no edge, wrapped with paracord. It actually sits fairly well in the hand, thought I get the sense that after long use you'd appreciate the paracord-wrapped hilt a bit less than, say a rounded, rubberized plastic blob.<br><br>The saw-back is three dimensional rather than a flat cutout (that is, the teeth are offset as you move along a radial path, rather than being flat lateral extensions and indentations such as the gard and hilt), so is much more effective than the saw-back of other similar tools I've had in past. I've no idea why a fire-starter is included, as it seemed a bit odd to me compared to, say, a sharpening stone as a companion to a machete. I really prefer the retension mechanism in this sheath to others I've owned - snap over gard and dual mid-hilt securing it quite well.<br><br>So, overall it's a useful tool which is well-designed at a quite reasonable price. I've used larger (and heavier) cutting tools in past, so depending on your intended use this could be either a less fatiguing tool which you can wield for a longer time, or too light to lop through heavier branches in a single swing; check dimensions and specs before you order. With the caveat of 'pick the right tool for the job', I can recommend this to anyone wanting either a lighter or space-saving machete for regular brush-work or camping.</span>

<span>I liked my Paracuda machete. Its sheath features a wide belt loop, sheath snap for easier insertion and removal, and securing button and Velcro straps.<br><br>The handle could stand another half centimeter of length, as the bottom grip countour would stop digging into my pinky. It’s all quite tolerable with gloves, though.<br><br>I love the utility of having my paracord handle wrap, a machete blade, a saw blade, and a firestarter flint for emergencies. The flint fits securely into a special loop on the sheath, too.<br><br>The blade seems dull.</span>

<span>Sometimes, you just need a tool like this to clean up vegetation that a weed whacker doesn't whack. This works great for that purpose. It is also good to take camping. Clear the brush and you get a fire starter to boot. It is smaller than a regular machete but that makes it easier for the work my husband needs to do outside. I am not sure how the paracord will feel after using for awhile, because it looks like it would hurt your hand without gloves on. But it is okay and we will definitely be using it to saw down purple leaf shooting stars, since they pop up all over the place from under the ground. Can't seem to get rid of the darn things, but I will have joy in sawing off the one that creeped into my patio gardening area.</span>

<span>This is a decent machete for a person who does occasional camping and hiking. The blade is about 11inches long from the point to the very small tangs (that can hurt your hand with heavy use). The blade seems strong and hefty. The sheath is nylon but does come with naps and a belt loop. The 9 feet of paracord that wrap the hilt provides some, but not much cushioning; if used you'll have to either get a new tool or find a way to wrap the hilt. The firestarter is a great addition, and look fine tucked into the sheath....but I fear it will fall out and be lost unless attached to the belt loop with a cord. Why they failed to include an inexpensive matching cord is beyond me. As a machete it is certainly adequate for hacking light brush and dead branches The saw tooth is god for 'cutting' branches or working with the firestarter.</span>

<span>The mid-sized WG02251-BRK Paracuda FS machete would make the perfect give for an outdoorsy type. I got mine to help me tackle my overgrown South Florida side yard. Made in China, the metal, sheath, fire starter and paracord all seem to be quality materials.<br><br>The blade is weighted nicely and feels good in the hand, though the cord handle isn't overly comfortable. It arrived fairly sharp, but don't expect it to be hunting knife sharp. If you're primarily using it to whack at vegetation, then it doesn't need to be. The saw blade is though so be careful of your fingers. I don't expect to take it out in the woods much, so I likely won't get much use from the magnesium fire starter. But that and the 9 feet of bright orange paracord are nice to have on hand should an emergency situation arise. The sheath only attaches by belt loop and I can see it wearing out if you insert and remove the blade often. However, you're getting a lot for the price.<br><br>~ Kort</span>

<span>I think this machete deserves about 2 1/2 stars, but I'm rounding up. I've bought several machetes in the past that were not expensive and so much better than this one. I dislike the paracord on the handle. It's stupid to think anyone could use this machete with some paracord thinly braided on it and not get sore and very tired hands in a short while. I like paracord, I have lots of paracord, I just don't wrap any handles with it. And the machete feels very unbalanced because of the thin handle. I guess this is supposed to be a multi-purpose survival tool with a saw, knife edge, paracord and a fire starter. The saw side (sharp enough) might be useful to saw up small branches for firewood, and the blade (needs sharpening) for light hacking small limbs or dry brush. I like that the machete is metal from tip to end of tang, but it really needs a better handle than a paracord wrapped tang. I can't even get the machete to slide down fully in the sheath. And I don't expect the sheath to even last very long since it's so cheaply constructed. Being black oxide coated stainless steel will not keep it from rusting or corroding unless you oil it. It's just for looks only.<br><br>It's certainly better than nothing, and should definitely put the fear of god into anyone being threatened with it, and that's about all I'll keep it for should such a situation ever arise.</span>