Cold Steel Tactical Wakizashi Machete (18.0 Inch Tanto 1055 Carbon Steel Blade) Polypropylene Handle + Cor-Ex Sheath 97TKLZ

It%u2019s a great blade other then having a slight bend to the right starting at the guard but the edge did come sharp, sheath is pretty great. You can get a bit of hand shock if you hit anything with the first 4 inches of blade or so but anything after there%u2019s nothing(also helps if you wrap the handle in leather). Overall it%u2019s worth the money for what you get I don%u2019t see me breaking it any time soon and Ive been kicking the crap out of it. If your on the fence just get it you won%u2019t be disappointed.

This tanto from Cold Steel came very sturdy and sharp right out the package. It has great weight distribution and is not heavy at all to carry around. Very satisfied with this purchase. Only thing is that the grip handle may need a 550 cord wrap to add better grip. Won%u2019t lose a star for that though, upgrading is part of the fun. Also, came with a sheath.

Wicked fun machete. If you need to clear some trails, or just like to carry a big blade, this thing is awesome for the cost. Well built. Very sturdy. Easy to sharpen and it does come sharp. Cold steel 1055 steel rocks. Durable, and inexpensive fun. Grip is not quite grippy enough, but a quick parachord wrap fixes that right quick.

The quality of the 18" version I received today is fantastic: Strait blade, perfect grind, level and solid guard, uniform coating. It was in factory sealed retail hang-card packaging. The blade was obviously machine ground, as there was still significant burrs of steel all along the blade. 10min with DMT stones for finishing and it was a perfectly sharpened, hair shaving edge.

For the money, I don't think there is a better CQB deadly weapon. It's short enough for strikes in doorways, and to be carried concealed IWB with a little work, and easily comfortably carried externally on a belt via the supplied 550 cord, which functions as a dangler.

Any longer of a blade and I feel it would become a bit too blade heavy, slowing it down and reducing mid-strike corrections. Any shorter and it starts to loose it's stand-off superiority to large Bowies and tomahawks.
The handle length is near perfect, especially when snap cut grip requirements are taken into consideration. I could lose 1" of handle length for one handed strikes and be good, but that would significantly reduce grip on this when using a second hand, so Cold Steel nailed this handle length. The hole near the grip pommel is perfect for a 550 cord lanyard, which is highly recommended for a high retention grip while striking, especially snap strikes.
As for the sheath, its quality, and it works well. Sure, I would much prefer a compact, taco kydex sheath with a bunch of carrying options built in, but that would double the price. (I plan on making one myself for $15 in supplies.).

IMO, this makes a perfect low cost weapon for the car.if it gets stolen or lost, no biggy, but it has the ability to be used quite well defensively against all theats, and is fairly low key when hanging on a belt.
If you are looking for low cost weapon with even a lower social profile, then look to both the 13" version of this, or the Bowie version, or the Black Bear.all great Bowie full-sized blades that you can sit down in your car while wearing!