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The ESEE Expat Libertariat Mini Machete Review

by Travis Pike 8 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. We may get paid an affiliate commission if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of the links on this web page.

I’m a big fan of ESEE knives. They tend to be strong, well made, and designed to last. On top of that their knives tend to be very affordable and very simply made. Their target audience is often the outdoorsman, the hunter, the prepper, and general adventurer. The Expat line is a specialty line of knives designed outside of the typical ESEE crew.

ESEE Libertariat
Buy the ESEE Libertariat at BladeHQ

Buy on Amazon

I’ve previously reviewed the Expat Cleaver and I was a big fan. The second Expat blade is the Libertariat, which is a compact machete designed for a few different purposes. This is a blade that is lightweight, easy to use, and can be used for a variety of purpose outside of hacking down a path.

General Dimensions and Blade Details

The ESEE Libertariat has a 9-inch blade and an overall length of 14 inches. The blade is two inches wide and .12 inches thick. The handle is 5 inches long and 1.125 inches thick and made from wood. The Libertariat ways 13.08 ounces and comes with a canvas sheath.

ESEE Libertariat Grind

It’s a very small, but also a very lightweight knife. The Libertariat doesn’t have a lot of weight to it, but it can still handle underbrush, vines, and limbs. I’ve even cut down some small trees without issue. The Liberariat lacks a point and is cleaver like. The lack of a point has never been an issue in my use of this tool.

The blade is made from SAE 1075 steel. It can get very sharp and is a good hard and tough steel. It can take a real beating when used as a machete is intended to be used. Of course, it doesn’t hold that edge for a long period. I find myself touching it up before any kind of daily use or yard work.

ESEE Libertariat Blade

The blade has a Condor classic finish. This is a hammered finish that gives it the appearance of a tool built a long time ago. While it’s stylish its also effective, I rarely apply oil even though I live on the coast, and have yet to see rust.

As I mentioned this small machete is designed more or less as a bush tool more than a yard working machete. It can serve as a machete, as well as a general survival knife. It’s small and handy and could be used to clean game in a pinch.

The spine is a flat 90-degree surface that makes it easy to strike a ferrous rod with. The flat surface also makes it easy to baton wood into pieces if needed. I ‘ve batoned several pieces of pine wood without a problem. The hole at the tip of the blade allows the insertion of a rod to make what is basically a draw knife from this mini machete.

ESEE Libertariat Blade in a Tree

The Little Libertariat can do it all, or at least try to. Most importantly it’s an impressive machete. It chops and slices without issue and chew through some seriously thick material. As a small blade with little heft, you really have to know how to work a machete. Even an expert is going to expend more energy using the short and light Libertariat than a standard machete though.

With such a small blade you are using more energy, and losing reach causing you to bend over a bit to reach ground level. That’s the price to pay for a smaller, lighter, and handier machete.

Handle and Ergonomics

The handle is made from wood and very smooth. In over a year’s worth of use I’ve never felt it slip from my hands, but I would see why some would want some form of checkering. I also haven’t developed hot spots when using the Libertariat heavily.

ESEE Libertariat Handle

However, I did notice after one long day my hand got quite tired of handling it. The small handle requires a tight hold and that will cause fatigue to set in quicker than a full, thick, hand-conforming handle.

ESEE Libertariat on a Rock

The angle of the handle is perfect for machete work. It tilts the blade slightly forward and gives you an angle that maximizes your swing. This makes your swing more natural when you use a proper technique or flicking the wrist prior to contact you’ll use less energy and cut deeper.

The Sheath

The sheath is very simple and made from a khaki colored canvas. It feels quite strong and very durable. Four metal snaps run along the seam of the sheath and hold it all together should the stitching rip or fail, or become cut all to hell from inserting and removing the machete over and over.

ESEE Libertariat Sheath

There seem to be two styles on the market. One that leaves most of the handle exposed and then mine which covers a good portion of the handle.

ESEE Libertariat Sheath Back Side

With mine the sheath covers the majority of the handle and drawing the Libertariat is not a fast endeavor. I have to pinch, pull, then grip the handle properly. I see why some of the newer models come with a sheath that allows a full grip.

ESEE Libertariat in the Wood Shed

A small thong secures around the handle and keeps the machete in the sheath. It attaches the belt through a loop and that is really all she wrote. It’s simple, but it works.

The ESEE Expat Libertariat Mini Machete Review – Final Thoughts

The Libertariat can do everything a bigger machete can do… with a lot more effort anyway. Its small size makes it easy to use for a variety of tasks outside of just hacking and slashing brush. It’s very light and would be a great camp tool, or for a hiker looking to cut pounds.

For the price, it is hard to go wrong. Plus ESEE backs it with their lifetime, no questions asked warranty. The Libertariat is a potent little tool that will serve you well for a long time.

ESEE ESLIB-BRK Expat Libertariat Machete Knife, Black, 9 in
ESEE ESLIB-BRK Expat Libertariat Machete Knife, Black, 9 in
  • 90 degree spine for Ferro rod Use
  • Draw knife Hole in blade
  • Condor edge
  • A lightweight tropical survival knife
  • Care instructions: Hand Wash
Buy on Amazon

I recommend purchasing the ESEE Expat Libertariat at Amazon or BladeHQ. Thank you very much.

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Related

Filed Under: ESEE, Fixed Blade Knives, Machetes, Survival Knives Tagged With: 1075, cleaver, Made in El Salvador, wood

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bdc says

    April 19, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    Good review. There is a company that makes simple plastic guards that can fit the length of a knife blade. I have the plastic guards on my cleavers. I wonder if one could be put on the cleaver so there would be no contact between the knife and sheath.

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      April 22, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      bdc, Thanks for stopping by. That’s a good suggestion regarding the sheath.

      Dan

      Reply
  2. Kammi says

    May 2, 2019 at 3:40 am

    That ESEE Expat looks like it could slice open a coconut in one whack. Seems like this model can completely take the place of a camp axe and could also be used for cooking. I think it would be better if it had a more ergonomic handle shape and maybe throw on some G10 scales.

    Reply
    • Dan Jackson says

      May 8, 2019 at 8:25 pm

      Hi Kammi, Thanks for stopping by to check out the review. I agree, I’d like to see something besides wood on the handle. G-10 would be a good upgrade. Take care,

      Dan

      Reply
  3. Elijah says

    June 15, 2019 at 8:06 am

    There is a nice leather sheath here for the Libertariat!

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/254259861543

    Reply
  4. Elijah says

    June 21, 2019 at 5:20 pm

    New design leather handcrafted sheath…
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/254271626172

    Reply
  5. Rob says

    July 15, 2020 at 1:11 am

    I took the time to dye my sheath on this knife, then add a waterproofing wax blend (2 parts bee or paraffin wax, 1 part linseed, 1 part turpentine) and it really makes a difference. While the color is just opinion, the wake added nice stiffness, and strength to the sheath.

    Reply
  6. Tom says

    July 20, 2023 at 9:16 pm

    You know this, but others? You scrape a ferrocerium rod. “Strike” it and you may have a collection of fragments.

    Reply

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