Gerber Versafix Machete

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** February 26, 2019, 11:59:11 PM

My thoughts posted here:
http://multitool.org/news/introduction-to-the-new-gerber-versafix-machete

It looks interesting, and Gerber has a pretty good track record for machetes and large blades- so much so that they were use in the initial episodes of the Walking Dead.

Def

RF52 · **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2019, 09:13:32 AM

It looks cool, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in use

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Gareth · **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2019, 09:29:58 AM

I like the sound of the handle and the blade shape looks semi-golok which I think should be good. However, like you, I'm a bit concerned about the skeleton cut outs right in front of the hand. Sadly IIRC they did have a problem with the early production Bear Grylls parang giving way in just that area. $:-\$

Etherealicer · **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2019, 10:12:10 AM

Like it... though I have to question their choice to make a hole at the front of the blade, I mean they made holes at the back to put the weight forward

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2019, 11:26:06 AM

Good overall shape, but incurring additional production costs in order to make the blade weaker, does not compute.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2019, 12:55:42 PM

Quote from: AimlessWanderer on February 27, 2019, 11:26:06 AM

Good overall shape, but incurring additional production costs in order to make the blade weaker, does not compute.

Agreed, although a part of m also rails at the unnecessary "prettying up" of the blade with the laser etched pattern on it. It's a machete, and no one gets a machete with the intent of having a prettier blade than someone else.

I doubt it adds much to the cost, but in the end it kind of irks me that they would bother. But, I would get past it, because in the end it's not really that important.

Def

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2019, 01:01:54 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on February 27, 2019, 12:55:42 PM

Agreed, although a part of m also rails at the unnecessary "prettying up" of the blade with the laser etched pattern on it. It's a machete, and no one gets a machete with the intent of having a prettier blade than someone else.

I doubt it adds much to the cost, but in the end it kind of irks me that they would bother. But, I would get past it, because in the end it's not really that important.

Def

If it's heavily textured enough, it might help reduce the blade sticking in thicker materials, but otherwise I'd fully agree.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2019, 01:39:10 PM

See, I was wondering if there was an actual texture to it then it would cause drag and therefore need more energy to slice through things.

This kind of thing is exactly why MTO exists... someone needs to do actual, legitimate testing of these kinds of things!

Def

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2019, 01:49:35 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on February 27, 2019, 01:39:10 PM

See, I was wondering if there was an actual texture to it then it would cause drag and therefore need more energy to slice through things.

This kind of thing is exactly why MTO exists... someone needs to do actual, legitimate testing of these kinds of things!

Def

It depends on the width. If the upper part of the texture is broader than the cutting edge, then yes, it may well cause additional drag. However, if they're the same width, the texture could act like Granton blade scallops, reducing the surface area subjected to friction, and therefore reducing drag and potential for sticking.

Removing over 50% of material at the weakest point of the blade, is still the biggest concern for me though. If I ran the company, there'd be at least one less designer in my team today.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2019, 04:04:08 PM

Absolutely agreed.

When it comes to Gerber though, they are not idiots, and have a lot of experience in making big blades like this, so I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt with those cutouts. I am sure that we aren't the first people to wonder about it, and I will hold the faith with them until I start hearing about breakages or experience it myself.

Def

Dtrain · **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2019, 02:39:01 PM

Maybe the Holes give it a bit of Flex like a Suspension Bridge to help when Batoning?

Etherealicer · **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2019, 01:14:43 PM

Without the PRO, without the HOLES

Sadly it comes with a different sheath and does not have the nice 2-tone handle.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2019, 02:17:52 PM

Gotta say that I really like the look of that!

Def

Etherealicer · **Reply #13 on:** March 17, 2019, 07:09:27 PM

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on March 17, 2019, 02:17:52 PM

Gotta say that I really like the look of that!

Def

I don't like the look of the handle... and I prefer the sheath of the PRO series
But I definitively prefer it without the holes.

Alan K. · **Reply #14 on:** May 02, 2019, 07:33:34 PM

With a 14 inch overall length and 9 inch blade length it doesn't sound like it's really meant for that much chopping does it? My experience has been that big knives are not a substitute for a machete but may be a substitute for a hatchet because hatchets do better at a different type of chopping than you would or should use a machete for. This tool looks more like a big knife and it looks like it would do a great job at batoning, but unfortunately, for me it wouldn't be useful for much else. I'll pass.