Jake Hoback first made waves with the Kwaiback MK4, a folding knife that carried his design DNA. That folder became the foundation for something larger—a fixed blade that moved like a machete but carried the soul of a short sword. Out of that idea came the Hoback Kwaichete.
What is the Hoback Kwaichete?
The Hoback Path
I met Jake Hoback years ago at a trade show, where his work immediately stood out. He started young, pounding nails into shape with a framing hammer in the ’90s, and sharpened his skills by learning from seasoned makers. His fascination with knives began at five and exploded after watching Rambo.
As many of us raised on ’80s adventure films, he chased wilderness skills and gear with passion. By 2003, he sold his first knife; by 2009, he was full-time. Today, his shop turns out rugged blades, axes, tomahawks, folders, and swords—all built for hard use.
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Quick Specs
The Kwaichete echoes the Japanese wakizashi, a compact sword carried for close work. Hoback’s version stretches 19 inches overall, with a 12-inch blade forged from 154CM stainless steel. A seven-inch handle wrapped in Ruby Red SureTouch scales balances the package, slim at one inch wide and an eighth-inch thick. At just under 15 ounces, it moves fast in the hand. A black Kydex sheath locks the sword into place for quick carry.
Bushcraft Sword In the Wild
The Kwaichete isn’t just a showpiece—it’s a camp workhorse. I used it to clear thorny barberry vines that clawed at ankles and knees. Later, a fallen maple bough became raw material for traps and tools. Finger-thick branches snapped with one swing, while wrist-thick sections gave way after a few chops. Even in the summer heat, the blade stayed swift and sharp.
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Fire prep revealed another edge. The jimping and spine struck sparks from a Ferro rod, igniting fatwood shavings with ease. That narrow one-inch blade guided sparks straight into the tinder pile. Cooking followed. I chopped maple sticks into stove-ready fuel, keeping the pieces from scattering by bracing against a standing trunk. The Hoback Kwaichete’s speed turned the task into an assembly line.
Food prep carried style points. Using a Takibi camp wok, I carved a green maple handle with two clean chops. Peppers, onions, tomatoes, and luncheon meat hit the pan, sliced cleanly by the sword’s upswept edge. I could imagine a scaled-down kitchen version, six or seven inches long, working just as well.
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Field Craft with Hoback Kwaichete
The day ended with trap-making. Green maple can punish a blade, but the Kwaichete stayed hair-shaving sharp. I carved wedges and notches for a jungle-style deadfall, balanced with a flat stone and trigger stick. The sword handled every cut without complaint.
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The Hoback Kwaichete Delivers
Hoback Knives builds tools, not trophies, and the Kwaichete proves it. This blade bridges the gap between a machete and a sword, combining utility with flair. It clears brush, chops fuel, sparks fire, slices food, and carves traps—all while looking like something a Samurai would carry into camp. Kwaichete is a fitting name, but I’d call it a Bushcraft Sword Extraordinaire!
Hoback Kwaichete Specs
| Overall Length | 19 inches |
| Blade Length | 12 inches |
| Blade Material | 154CM steel |
| Thickness | 1/8 inch |
| Handle | Ruby Red SureTouch |
| Weight | 14.9 with sheath (11 ounces sword only) |
| MSRP | $395.00 |
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