Gerber Gear

Very Good for cutting firewood/small trees/thick branches – I needed a Machete for cutting kindling and firewood when camping, so this review is just my opinion after having this machete for a small period of… Read more

time, first off, this machete is fairly heavy which will limit the amount of swings that you will be able to do compared with most other lighter machetes before it will tire some people out, this is due to the thickness and weight of the blade which is about 7mm thick. Ideally suited for chopping heavier branches, a cross between a brush machete and a small axe. In other words, it's a chopper.

It is made from black oxide coated MN65 steel which is probably comparable to 1065, this steel is not tempered as hard as other blades, but it will be tougher and be able to handle the solid hits against harder timber, so should not chip or deform easily. I found that when used on light flexible branches it would tend to push them away or break them off rather than slicing them off like a thinner blade would unless you had the room to make a very fast swing. The heavy blade contributes to not being able to get the speed.

Gathering firewood, I have the largish chainsaws for cutting logs, but they are a bit of overkill to use them when trimming up the smaller branches and getting kindling ready to start the fire for which this machete is ideally suited for. If you need one to clear a path through lighter scrub and weed then there are better and lighter ones for that task, but for heavier branches this one is quite good.

It comes with a nylon sheaf with two D rings and a Velcro covered patch on the handle to lock the machete into the sheaf and hold it in place. The grip handle is rubberized to enable a good grip and a wrist cord to help stop the machete from flying away should you lose your grip on the handle. I can't stress enough the importance of a wrist strap/cord when cutting, especially if using gloves.

Many years ago, I was wearing gloves and was clearing blackberries on a property, took a big swing and the machete twisted in my glove on contact and I lost my grip, the machete flew out of my hands and nearly hit a child who was walking about 10m away, so don't think that it can't happen, use the strap!

Overall I am pretty happy with it so far but have only had it for a short time, I may need another different, but lighter type of machete better suited for clearing thinner vegetation as this one is too much of an overkill and not designed for that sort of work, but for the work that I need this one for it should do a good job.

Having said all that, only time will tell how good it withstands cutting timber and whether or not it will keep the edge, resist bending and chipping and see if it was worth buying or not! If I can, I will update this review at a later stage.

Cheers.

Good knife for deer hunting. I carry this everywhere in the bush – The 154 cm drop point folder has been a good, light weight knife for breaking down deer for a carry out. It holds an edge well if you avoid cutting… Read more

to much hair or bone. i have broken down many deer with it including a few Sambar stags without need to resharpen the blade(one stag per trip and per sharpen).The handle has a comfortable grip and fits my large hand well, the pouch is well made. Being a folder you need to rinse it out and pop it in the sink when u get home.

I can only recomend the 154 cm steel blade. I have not been impressed by the quality, shape and steel in there other knives for use in deer hunting. holds a reasonable edge. Has held up well over the last 5 years no complaints

A lightweight knife that’s tougher than it looks. Almost! – I’ve been using the Gerber Zilch Coyote for about a month now during bivouacs and time… Read more

out bush, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected. I’m 18 and just starting to put together proper gear, and this was one of the first pocket knives I bought. For around $45 AUD, it’s done a solid job with everything from cutting paracord to basic camp tasks like shaving wood and opening ration packs.

First Impressions Straight out of the box, the Zilch felt super light — about 65 grams. The packaging was simple, all cardboard, no plastic junk. Just the knife. When folded, it’s around 11 cm long, and when open, it’s about 19 cm. The blade is 8 cm, so it’s a good everyday size — not too big, not too small.

I was surprised by how thin and low-profile it is. It fits easily in the pocket and doesn’t get in the way, even when sitting, moving, or wearing gear. The Coyote Tan colour looks clean — a bit tactical but not overdone.

Build & Handling The handle’s made of FRN (fibre-reinforced plastic), but it feels sturdy. There’s some texture on it for grip, and the cut-outs help keep the weight down. It doesn’t feel slippery even if your hands are wet or sweaty.

The knife uses a liner lock, which works fine for light to medium tasks. It clicks into place and feels secure. I wouldn’t push it too hard with heavy prying or anything, but for general cutting, it’s solid.

Real-World Use So far I’ve used the Zilch for:

Cutting paracord and cable ties Whittling sticks and prepping kindling Opening MREs and packaging Quick food slicing (fruit, cheese, etc.) The blade steel is 7Cr17MoV, which is a basic stainless steel. It sharpens easily but loses its edge after a bit of use — I’ve touched it up twice already. If you’ve got a pocket sharpener, it’s no drama. Out of the box, it was sharp enough to cut cleanly through cord and paper.

The thumb studs are decent — one-hand opening works well once you break the knife in. The action isn’t super smooth at first, but after a few days of use, it opens quickly and locks in place with a solid click.

Carry & Durability This knife is perfect if you want something light and low-profile. The deep carry pocket clip sits low and keeps the knife tucked away. Only thing is, the clip isn’t reversible — it’s set up for right-hand carry only.

After using it in the rain, I did spot some tiny rust marks near the pivot. Not surprising for this steel — just a reminder to dry it properly and give it a wipe with oil now and then. I also had to tighten the pivot screw after a week or so, but that was easy with a Torx driver.

Final Thoughts For $45, the Gerber Zilch Coyote is a great choice if you’re starting out or just need a lightweight folding knife for everyday field tasks. It’s not a heavy-duty survival blade, but for cutting cord, opening packs, and general bush use, it gets the job done.

If you’re after something compact, affordable, and reliable enough to take out bush, this one’s worth a look.