As good as advertised.
929156
I read the reviews and took the plunge.  I'm glad I did!

Pros:
- Cuts through brush like butter.  The hooked tip works exactly as everyone else has reported - much more efficient than the standard machete shape.
- Extraordinarily well balanced.  I can handle it like a hand sickle, with short six-inch strokes, for a delicate touch when needed.  It's just as easy to take full strokes to slice through heavy brush.
- Versatile.  Cuts grass, brush, branches, vines.  Easily handles one-inch saplings or branches.  Maybe it'll take a couple of more strokes to get through two-inch trees.  In a pinch, it can dispatch larger saplings and tree limbs.
- Just the right size and weight.  It's short enough to easily manipulate, but still long enough to cut a full swath.  It's light enough to swing all day, but heavy enough to cleave through thick brush.
- NICE SHEATH.  I chose the Gerber Brush Thinner Machete over the similar Fiskar Brush Axe because of the recommendations of other reviewers here. I wholeheartedly agree with them.  The sheath is excellent and well worth the small price difference.

Cons:
- The handle is a little slick for my tastes.  (Easily remedied.  I used some red baseball grip tape.  Not only is the Gerber more comfortable to grip, it is also easier to find when I need it.)

I have an old cane knife that has a similar shape, but is substantially thicker (and heavier) than the Gerber.  There's no comparison between that unwieldy tool and this fine instrument.  The Gerber is far more deft and more efficient.

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EDIT 6-3-2010:  I purchased this item for $28.63 in April.  The price listed today is [...].  At that price, I'd recommend the $28.15 Fiskars 7860 Brush Axe as a better value.
3539334
Exactly as advertised. Can't ask for more than that.
1271838
As good as advertised. Got the king size and I love it. Highly recommend it!
4239621
Buy for my friends. As good as it is claimed.
816998
I performs as good as I expected - definitely not disappointed. I would buy it again if I had to do it over.
2139921
Every bit as advertised.  I can only assume other products provided are of equal high quality.
4031813
Works great as advertised! Couldn't be more pleased
4213723
This product is true to its advertising.  Just what I had hoped for.
4797103
I'm happy with the quality as well as the price of this product.  It is exactly as advertised....... no complaints.
2851676
They performed as were advertised.  No disappointments here.
4862623
Has performed flawlessly.  As good or better than advertised and reviewed.  Very Happy.  Would buy again.  I do recommend that you buy.  Absolutely worth the extra money if you can afford it.
4867063
Great product, exactly as the product was advertised.
4962602
I am satisfied with the product. It's as good as advertised. I am using it for a class that I am auditing as review. So far it's okay.
3940835
Excellent product!  Couldn't ask for more.  Product is as advertised.
2539245
Faster than expected and as good or better than advertised.
4231470
Just as advertised. I've used three so far and they all work.
3749411
As advertised.  Nothing more, nothing less.  They are doing their job well and have not broken yet.