Well it's here and has distal taper, eliminating the machette theory.
From the wear on the COP I would say it had been in use for years.
I've not etched it at least not yet, so I can't say there was any diferential hardening.
The price was good and I'm happy.
It's nowhere the quality of my 2 Cold Steel barong not my Valient golok but it didn't cost as much as they did either.
