The idea was a cross between a machete and a large camp or chopping knife. Most Machetes are made from thin stock and not intended to cut things much thicker than vines and foliage. The Armageddon is 1/4" thick but with the full-flat-ground-re-curved blade. It will do most chores as well as other heavier tasks like chopping wood or building a shelter. 'Basically, this is more of a North American version of a machete,' says Trace Rinaldi, designer of the Armageddon from TOPS Knives.