Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Revised 22 Feb 2007.
I was looking for a high-end machete when I ran across this little sword by United Cutlery (UC) in Cabela's catalog, where it is sold as a "slimline machete," not a "ninja sword."
It's ground from a single piece of 420 J2 stainless steel with nylon cord wrapped around the hilt. This choice of steel is questionable for any blade over 12 inches. If it is heat treated to a hardness adequate for edge retention, it tends to be brittle, resulting in chipping of the edge or even catastrophic failure. If it is not heat treated, it tends to be too soft to really hold a sharp edge.
Still, I have heard of this piece being put to hard use and have never heard of one breaking. It may be that it's just short enough to get away with using 420 stainless. I suppose it's all in the heat-treat, and without Rockwell testing, followed by torture testing, I'll never know what this thing can and can't do.
It's reasonably sharp out of the box and can be tuned up with a few swipes from a carbide V sharpener. The Tang stamp says "hand made," and the finish is very good. I've heard complaints about loose handle wraps, but I haven't had that problem despite handling the sword quite a bit.
But is it a machete or a "ninja sword?" Well, it sure isn't a machete. It really does resemble a short Japanese sword more than anything. Rather, it resembles a longer version of the Americanized "tanto"-style knives that have become so popular in the "tactical" market. Granted, I have heard of people going into the woods and clearing brush with this thing, but I think it would be tiring, and when it comes to swinging a sharp metal object, tiring equals dangerous.
If you want a brush-clearing tool for fifty bucks or less, there are many choices: the ubiquitous Ontario and Meyerco machetes, the Woodsman's Pal, the Crocodile Knives no. 227, various machetes and field knives from Condor, and a pile of inexpensive offerings from Cold Steel, to name a few. Then there are dedicated gardening tools like ditch banks and weed knives. There's no reason to clear brush with an Americanized Japanese short sword unless you really want to.
As a sword, however, it handles nicely. It's solid and lively in the hand, nimble for thrusting, cutting, and chopping. I've made a mess of many cardboard boxes with it. Again, I don't know how it would hold up if bashed repeatedly into masonry or body armor, but otherwise, it makes for an expedient weapon in close quarters. So a short sword is what it is.
The sword clicks positively into the included Kydex scabbard, which is light and flat and allows for several different modes of carry. I wish I could find a machete at this price that came with such a nice sheath.
I have numerous clubs, axes, knives, swords, and sword-like objects around the house, some of high quality and commensurate price, but it is this el cheapo sword that leans against the headboard of my bed, and it's the first thing my right hand will touch in an emergency. (I'd much rather grab the Paul Chen Practical Wakizashi, but that belongs to my wife.) That, I suppose, is testimony to its design and execution, which is just about as well suited to fighting in tight spaces as anything out there. The grip could fill the hand better, and along those lines, I'm thinking of wrapping the handle with some leather grip tape.
The remaining question is: Can a blade this size, made of stainless steel, both hold an edge and stay in one piece? Come spring, I'm taking this thing into the woods to find out.
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Black Ronin Ninja Sword w/Shouldeer Harness SheathATTRIBUTESBlade Length (inches):17.25Blade Material:420 Stainless BlackCarry System:Nylon Sheath w/Leg StrapHandle Material:420 BlackOverall Length (inches):26.88
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