Gerber Gator Machete Jr. & Gator Exchange-A-Blade Saw

In the past, for clearing routes through dense ‘weed-wood’ and brush to a shooting position or for ‘cutting in’ so I could more easily blend a natural or pop-up hide back into the solid foliage, I used an old ‘bill hook.’ Well, that’s long past its sell by date so time for modern equivalents of which both shown here suit my requirements perfectly and more effectively.

The Gerber Gator Machete Jr. and Gator Exchange-A-Blade Saw are certainly specialised tools, but there’s always been a place for such ‘Big Blades’ in the hunting sector. even though they might only occasionally be used by the ‘die-hards’ who still prefer their hide building to entail; much hacking, slashing and general mayhem.

First up is the Gerber Gator Machete Jr. Measuring 18 ½” long with 10.75” of that being an exposed high carbon C50 steel blade, giving 9 ½” of one side over to a very sharp machete style blade and on the upper side offering a full 7 ½” of very aggressively toothed wood saw. The steel is treated to be corrosion resistant with the half tang disappearing into a very ergonomic rubberised non-slip grip handle. This patented ‘Gator Grip Handle’ resists water permeation and certainly affords a very sure hold either using it for sawing or hacking. In fact it’s a very cleverly designed and comfortable handle and when used in either format offers a sensible thumb protector. The handle has a large ‘hand lanyard’ attachment point but equally useful is it comes with an internally strengthened and rigid Ballistic Nylon Sheath with wide belt loop and secure wide webbing retaining strap that holds the ‘Machete’ in place by wrapping over the lower side of the handle to secure with a large press stud fastener.

Next up is the Gator Exchange-A-Blade Saw which makes a perfect companion if camping, carcass prepping or as mentioned natural hide building. The large folder design ‘saw’ comes supplied in a generous size Ballistic Nylon sheath with wide belt loop and Velcro fasten overflap. Remove the tool and you discover a huge folding saw with a separate blade in another internal sheath. It measures 6” long in the close position with a width of 2 ¾” at its widest point. When deployed the fine saw blade extends the unit to 15 3/8” giving a full 6 ¼” of cutting edge. Exchanging ‘blades’ is easy, simply open out the folder approximately half way, then unscrew the generous size ABS headed threaded knob from the self sealing ABS covered lock screw on the other side at the pivot/ head of the unit. Carefully pull the blade down and out. Reverse this procedure to exchange or replace a blade. Blade choices are fine or coarse and when in place and locked out the alternative blade gives you a full 6 ½” of very coarse saw blade. The ergonomic handle is the of the same ‘Gator grip’ material but of a suitable ergonomic design. Such is the build and design, Gerber claim you use at least 30% less effort in cutting be that wood, bone or meat. The SS420J2 Steel blades lock out solidly into a very strong upper ‘rocker lock’ that can only be released by pressing in the top rear section near the handle whereupon it allows you to return whichever blade deployed back into the handle. In my opinion these very well built, safe to use, very tough and robust units have a place in anybody’s hide building kit.

•Name: Gerber Gator Machete Jr. and Gator Exchange-A-Blade Saw

•Price: £19.99 & £29.99 respectively

•Contact: Gerber 01506 406277 www.gerbergear.com