Gil Hibben IV Combat Machete Blade Knife | 12" Blade | Pakkawood Handle | Premium Leather Sheath | from Acclaimed Knifemaker Gil Hibben | 17 1/2"

Very good quality. I use it in the backyard for everything.

The media could not be loaded. This thing belongs in a museum it looks so nice! The wood handle is beautiful, the edge it came with will DEFINITELY do the job! Sheath is good quality too! Would I trust this in the combat zone? You better believe it!

I've purchased several other Gil Hibben/ United Cutlery knives in the past and my expectations have always been exceeded. But this machete is on an entirely different level. This thing is massive and gorgeous. It is truly a functional piece of exquisite art. Your sons will be debating over who gets this one someday, and once this goes out of production it may have some real collectability.That said, the concern mentioned by another reviewer is a valid one. This thing is unfortunately made in China, which per se means the quality control is lousy. Why we send good American money over there for junk that literally ends up in American landfills within only months is beyond my ability to comprehend. I personally would prefer to spend twice as much for an American-made (or even Taiwan or Korean-made) version, where quality is much more assured. I know that there is some good stuff coming out of China, but it is only a very small percentage. 90%+, in my view, is garbage. Even if the piece looks pretty good, you never know for sure. Will the piece fail under heavy use or duress due to some compromise in production?That's the issue here with this machete. The first one I received had a small hair-line mark on the spine which I presumed was a scratch. By total coincidence, on the same day I received the machete, I also received a 10x Belomo jeweler's loupe. I inspected the "scratch" through the loupe and saw that instead it was a crack in the steel. It was a very disconcerting observation. Never have I purchased a knife where there is a crystalized crack in the steel. It makes me wonder whether there is some pervasive compromise in the type of steel they are using over there, or whether this was simply an error in the founding process.Regardless, I replaced the defective one, and I now "proudly" have one which appears defect-free. But let's say I have to actually put this beast to work some day, hacking a tree or an unlucky intruder. Will the steel fail? I'm pretty sure I can get the intruder into at least two parts, but some other more extended project might reveal craftsmanship issues in this tool. It is disconcerting that I even have to wonder.Mr. Hibben comes up with truly magnificent designs. I just wish he could get them built at factories and in locations where the quality is beyond question. Gil, I would gladly have paid $200 to $300, or more, for this if I knew that the quality was beyond reproach. Boker-Plus does great work at reasonable prices; can't you emulate their manufacturing strategy?

Could not be happier!! Extremely beautiful blade, Very clean, sharp, and HEAVY. I hope the pictures explain them selves.My only criticism (I'm still giving 5 stars) the advertised picture is either miss-leading or I didn't pay close enough attention. Notice the bottom part of the handle, I thought that it extended to guard the lower ring/pinky knuckle. However upon deliver I realized that this was only a few pieces of leather on the bottom of the handle as well as the sheath.(Like I said earlier still 5 stars)P.S. even though this is a major photography fail, PLEASE make the lower handle look like the picture. I'll buy it!!!(Edit after 6 months of ownership)Its a Worthy Show Piece but, I couldn't help myself! I've put the GH-IV through tons of abuse: camping trips.. backpacking.. bottom line (Im retiring my hatchet forever.. and EVERYTHING Carnivor) have fun with this futuristic pirate knife/sword!The blade is still in very good shape and held up perfectly. A 6" diameter tree is nothing. That should be enough :)Within the last few weeks my handle shattered (I probably had too much fun) however the blade is still in 99% condition! Since then I've broken 2 Carnivor machetes in half.All is can say is THANK YOU GIL, I've fashioned a new handle and I won't replace this signature piece!

I have been wanting this Hibben Machete for a loooong time. I was a bit cautious which is why it's taken me so long to purchase it. It arrived yesterday and what can I say other than 'AWESOME'. This item looks EXACTLY as pictured, is EXTREMELY sturdy, and fits perfectly in hand. Like others have mentioned, not 'razor sharp' but sure sharp as hell. Run it across an Arkansas stone once or twice and you have an edge sharp enough to split the hairs on a nats butt.The sheath is very nice, bit of a tight fit though. While I like the leather lanyard and thigh tie, I'll be replacing those with paracord, just because I don't want them breaking at a moment I need them the most.Like others mentioned, the blade does say 'CHINA' on one side, I however am not so bothered by that as others are. Based on what I see in my hand, I have every reason to believe this thing will last a life time and hold an edge long enough to do any job I put before it. Isn't that all a blade is supposed to do?HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ITEM TO ANYONE!!!!