Reddit mentions of Whetstone Cutlery Full Tang Rubber Grip Machete with Sheath

This is the one I got.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C4PUZC/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is full tang and decent quality steel for a machete. The sheath is helpful too. The handle being wrap around helps prevent it from slipping out of my hand.

I did have to sharpen it though when it came in. From what I can tell, pretty much no machete is going to arrive from the factory already sharp. They say they are sharp, but they really aren't. So, just expect to have to sharpen them. Luckily, you can just use a grinder. I don't think anyone expects a scalpel edge on a machete.

Despite what some people may claim, there really aren't any machetes around that are top quality steel. Lots of websites sell machetes that claim they are awesome, but if you read enough I think you will find that they are all pretty much the same (with some just being really bad) and none of them being really great.

That is why you will see people going for a forest axe or large fixed blade knife. But machetes are good in survival situations because you can use it instead in many situations and save your knife edge.

The question is though whether you can afford the weight and bulk. You can put a large fixed blade knife on you and still remain pretty mobile. A machete is larger than a limb, so carrying it will have to be well thought out. The other thing is that most woodsmen and survivalists will agree that you can get more use out of a forest axe (combined with a knife that you probably have already) than a machete.

My machete is part of my equipment list, but it isn't in my bug out bag. The bulk and weight are not worth what it gives in return. If you are however with a group and travelling in a vehicle, then maybe it is useful. But then it wouldn't be in a bug out bag, it would be in a kit for your vehicle.

Edit:

For reference, this is the axe I have in my ready to go kit:

http://www.amazon.com/Estwing-E45A-Campers-Metal-Handle/dp/B00002N5N7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376668636&sr=8-1&keywords=Estwing+axe

I am very happy with the quality. Those people that complain about the lines on the head are idiots. There are no cracks. Estwing puts a clear coating on their steel and that coating is what coating gets waves and lines in it, which I don't care about. In a true survival situation, this axe will survive anything thrown at it.