It seems to be pretty rugged for a thin 3mm blade. It feels better than it looks. It is very light and fast, good for machete work. It will chop, but not as well as an Ontario camp machete or Dog Father. I am plannig a trip into the Altamaha River swamps. The Condor Jungle Bowie and the Dumpster Mutt will be my fixed blades. I just think that in an anarchy situation such as New Orleans after Katrina, this would be the blade to have for self defense.