Gerber Gator Machete Pro

Building ‘natural’ hides is part of the learning curve that includes fieldcraft and one so easy to forget due to the plethora of modern ‘instant’ hides or camo screens to conceal yourself. However, if you prefer the old school method, which still has its points over plastic realism, you’ll need the natural materials to do the job. So you will need to harvest them from the local area and tools will be required, which is where these Gerber creations come into the equation!

TWO TOOLS

Gerber’s Gator Machete Pro is far from being ‘just another’ big blade as it can best be described as a multi-function tool that has the capability to hack dead branches down to use as a solid framework and even as an axe to sharpen base points. Their Brush Thinner is equally useful though a bit more specialised in design so as to slice through the various foliage around you so you can ‘fine finish’ the dressing of the hide and also clear the floor of straggling weeds or anything that might hinder movement.

So with my views now said - let’s first take a look at what once appeared as a ‘prop’ on ‘The Walking Dead’ schlock horror film - hardly surprising as on initial appearance to some it will appear that it’d not look out of place being wielded by Michael Myers.

DURABLE DO-IT-ALL

If you take a look at the design of the corrosion- resistant ‘Pro’, multi-purpose blade you’ll notice key areas are integrated into the build so it can be used as an axe, machete, brush thinner or knife. The Gator grip handle and nylon lanyard keep the machete safely in your hand when in use and used correctly it acts as a solid restraint to further prevent any loss of grip. The mold and mildew resistant sheath is made of military- grade nylon and includes a sharpening stone. This is a durable do-it-all tool for clearing, hacking and chopping.

A perfect partner to the ‘Pro’ is the Gerber Gator Brush Thinner. The dramatically shaped carbon steel blade is set in a sturdy, newly redesigned, easier to grip tactile handle with Gator overmold. It’s perfect for clearing out brush, limbs from tree stands or hacking back the tall rye grass for making pathways to a ‘hot-spot.’ A non stick coating on the blade reduces friction so you’re not continually stopping to carefully remove the cutting edge so it’s not ‘clogged’ by the residue left from this type of work. The contoured sheath contains a polyethylene board not only to protect the user and the blade, and has a five coil zipper plus Velcro retention strap.