Acting as both a knife and an axe, the
Machete is one of the most versatile fixed blades that you can have in your possession. They come in a variety of styles from survival and self-defense to tactical and utility. Whether you are braving your backyard or the wild, a machete is a must-have tool!
Common Types of Machetes
Kukri
The kukri, or Gurkha knife, is a Nepalese machete originally used to clear wooded areas. It was later used as an effective weapon due to its curved design. The shape varies a great deal from being quite straight to highly curved with angled or smooth spines. It can be used to cut, chop, slash or smash just about anything.
Bowie
First popularized by Jim Bowie in the early 19th century because he was "the bearded bloke who took a knife to a gunfight", the Bowie knife is probably one of the best known styles of machete. Decades of hunters and survivalists have found the bowie to be the perfect tool for the wilderness because its basic design has stood the tests of time.
Cane Hook
The cane hook is a wide, straight tipped machete that is traditionally used for hacking corn stalks and sugar cane. It also works great for brush, tall weeds and vines. Typically, the blade has a hook built into the spine to pull the chopped cane or stalks after they’ve been cut.
Bush
Originating in Latin America, a bush machete has a straight-back blade that is hefty and evenly weighted. It’s usually fitted with a sheath and is perfect for cutting vegetation and as just an all-around utility tool.
Parang
Developed originally for clearing paths through the Southeast Asian jungles, the parang has a distinctly curved, front-reinforced “golok” profile with a curved blade kinda like a scimitar. The weight-forward design gives you more swinging momentum, allowing for greater cutting power with less effort.
Hawkbill
The hawkbill machete has the blade profile that resembles a hawk’s beak with a sharp downward curve, thus, the name. The blade can be sharpened on either side, giving you maximum cutting real estate and the penetrating point allows for piercing tasks. The inner curve of the blade makes reaping vegetation a breeze.
Bolo
The bolo machete has its origins in the Philippines and is also primarily used for clearing vegetation for both agricultural tasks and trail blazing. As a side note, it’s also used in Filipino martial arts training. It has a distinctive bulge, adding a heft to the fore-blade that maximizes the chopping power and the handle is usually a native hardwood or animal horn.
Barong
Also, a Filipino machete, the barong has a thick, leaf-shaped blade that is weighty to add to its slicing capability. Used by Muslim tribes in the Philippines, they were primarily a weapon of choice for warfare and hunting. However, the blade profile makes them excellent as an agricultural tool, as well.
Popular Machete Brands
Hibben Knives
As the creator of some of the most widely recognized knives in the industry today, Gil Hibben’s knowledge and over 60 years of experience are unprecedented in the world of custom knife making. United Cutlery is proud to offer production knives based on Gil’s custom designs. This top-selling brand consists of throwing knives, hunting knives, personal protection knives, and the most collectible line of production fantasy available today.
USMC
United Cutlery has partnered with the United States Marine Corps to produce its officially licensed USMC line of knives. This line offers a selection of knives from combat fixed blades and assisted opening tactical folders to perfectly balanced throwing knives and tough machetes.
Timber Wolf
Timber Wolf has continually produced exceptional products at the lowest possible prices and that’s why after more than 30 years, they are still The Leader of the Pack! Whether it’s an heirloom-quality, handcrafted Damascus steel pocket knife you display under a glass case or a massive tactical bowie knife that you test to its limits on a daily basis, Timber Wolf knives perform.
Bushmaster
Bushmaster will have you covered in any intense situation, whether you’re braving the Amazon or simply out on the hunting trail. From the powerful, fully-functional blades to the sturdy ergonomic handles, these knives cover all the bases, providing you with a durable tool that can tackle anything that comes your way. With Bushmaster, you’re ready for anything!
KA-BAR
KA-BAR Knives has been making knives since 1898 and each knife undergoes a unique manufacturing processes and testing to ensure corrosion resistance, strength, edge holding ability, and an out-of-the-box razor sharp cutting edge.
Colombian Machetes
Colombian Machetes offers beast-of-a-blade construction that not only looks mean but can take a beating! Research was done on the weapons and tools that were used in the darkest, wildest, remotest parts of the world and then upgraded with modern enhancements. These blades can handle any job that you put before them and each features a durable handle for a firm grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Things to Look for in a Machete
When you’re shopping for a machete, the first thing to consider is exactly what you are going to be using if for the most. Then, look at these factors and use them to make your decision.
Blade Shape
The shape of the blade is the most important because it is what determines what tasks the machete is best suited for. Different blade profiles are better for specific tasks like cutting and slicing or chopping and hacking. Blades with weight-forward designs like parang and bolo give you maximum swinging power for cutting vegetation. Blades with hooks on the spine, like the cane hook machete, allows you to pull away vegetation after cutting it. Bush machetes and Bowies, with their hefty straight blade profiles are good utility tools for chopping.
Steel Type
Steel type is important when choosing a machete because you need to consider the environment that you’ll be using it the most in and the wet or dry conditions. It’s a reality that all steel can rust when exposed to moisture but there are some types that are most rust-resistant than others. Stainless steel has chromium as a major ingredient, making it more corrosion-resistant. A high carbon steel is less rust-resistant but more wear-resistant. So, you’ll need to make sure that you store it well and be a little more vigilant about keeping it dry.
Handle Grip
Choosing the right handle grip is the difference between efficiently getting a job done and ending up in the emergency room. A “no-slip” grip is essential because accidents can happen where someone loses their grip on the machete and it flies back and hits them. You also want it to feel comfortable in your hand to offset the strain if you’re going to be using it for long periods of time. Look for a handle that has either a textured or contoured grip that fits securely in your palm. Grips made of TPR (thermoplastic rubber) are great for use in all-weather conditions and usually come with heavy texturing. Wooden handles are found on more traditional-style machetes but, as long as, they have a finger-grooved or contoured shape, they’re fine, too.
Here Are My Picks
Hibben Master Bushcraft Machete
The single most important tool to a bushcrafter is the knife, and the
Hibben Master Bushcraft Machete is the ultimate knife for firecraft, shelter building, and general wilderness survival. The magnificent 11” carbon steel, full-tang blade features a rough-forged look surface finish, and it extends from a beefy cast stainless steel handguard. The walnut hardwood handle fits perfectly in your hand, providing you with a comfortable and secure grip. Also included with this machete is a heavy-duty nylon sheath with lashing grommets and lashing paracord.
Colombian Raptor Machete
Brave your backyard or the wild with the
Colombian Raptor Machete! It has a ferocious 11 3/4" 3Cr13 stainless steel blade, which has a sawback and gut hook. There’s no denying that this machete is up to any job you put in front of it! The ergonomic brown ABS handle is built to last and gives you a firm grip when you’re working the blade. The included tough, nylon belt sheath protects the blade and lets you carry the machete anywhere.
Timber Wolf Nepal Kukri
The
Timber Wolf Nepal Kukri is just like the traditional and classic fixed blade that might be found in use in the Kathmandu Valley as a primary cutting tool. The knife has an acutely sharp, 10” stainless steel blade with the traditional curved profile and it features a unique, double-notched finger choil for extra finger security. The handle scales are a natural-colored wood that are ergonomically finger-grooved so that you always have a secure grip in any situation.
USMC Semper Fi Sawback Machete
When it comes to survival, there’s no time for playing around. You need a blade that won’t let you down, and the powerful
USMC Semper Fi Sawback Machete is the battle buddy you’re looking for! The massive, 17 1/2” full-tang stainless steel blade has a non-reflective black coating and powerful sawback serrations combined with a razor-sharp edge. It has a rubberized, injection-molded saber-style handguard handle with a wrist lanyard for that extra measure of control when using it. The machete fits securely into its included, sturdy nylon belt sheath for ease of carry.
