I think the Hog Sticker machetes are only 2.5 mm thick. They are not likely to perform as well as the carbon steel models from Tramontina and Ontario. If I were you, I'd wait until May when CS will have their Bowie, Spear point, and barong machetes in 1055 steel. They have the polypropylene handles, too, and they are 3 mm thick. Their sheaths are not as nice. My Jungle Bowie has a santophrene handle. I ground a double edged point on my Ontario 12", but it is not very "pointy".