Best Machete Knives for Adventure

A machete is a long, flat-bladed sword used by farmers and ranchers to clear brush, thresh grain, or perform other agricultural tasks. It is typically made from carbon steel. The blade can be straight or curved with either the tip or sides sharpened for cutting and sawing. 

In recent years, the term has been widened to include a wide range of other machetes for use in hunting wild animals, woodcutters like lumberjacks who cut down trees with a handheld axe, and firefighters who fight forest fires with these tools. With that said we understand why you might wonder what these blades are used for and how they are best employed. 

In Colombia, and South America, the term Machete Knife refers to a long edge tool with a strong blade originating from Spain or Mexico back in the 17th century. It was later adopted as an agricultural tool in Cuba. In Mexico, it was called Machetes Pardos (English: Brown Machine) and it was actually used for fighting during that period.

Features of a Machete Knife

A machete is a tool often used to clear undergrowth, do construction, and perform other activities. The blade is usually carried in one hand and pointed toward the ground at an angle of 45 degrees. Unlike a conventional axe or hatchet, the head of the machete has a relatively thin profile with no handle. 

Machete knife

The blade hangs nearly vertically from the end of its long shaft and broadens out slightly near its tip so that it will have more cutting power when swung in an arc. There are also types with heavy blades mounted on short or medium-length handles known as machetes de Guerra.

The blades are made of a range of different materials: steel, stone, bone, or ivory. However, most types are made of steel. The blade is the most vital component and it is used for hacking through thick brush to make paths. The blade is usually concave (a set of curved lines with a small hump) and has stone or metal decorations on its sides. 

Its teeth are also used for cutting through dense forest vegetation tied together with vines (using the machete's point only), as well as being useful in forestry work. They have other uses besides clearing undergrowth.

Best Machetes for Wilderness

When choosing your machete, have a clear idea of what you will be using it for, what you need it for, and, most importantly, what the environment will be like where you will be using it. It is common for wilderness and survival experts to choose a knife from the following list, although there are many different kinds available.

  • Kukri Machete

This is a type of blade that originated from Nepal and has traditionally been used as both a tool and a weapon. It's been noted to have an interesting history, so we thought it would be the perfect topic for this blog post.

Kukri Machete

The Nepalese people who invented the kukri machete are said to have lived in mountainous regions, which made this blade a clever tool for chopping wood. And it's not just excellent for chopping wood — it'll also make quick work of anything you throw its way! 

For this reason, there's no wonder the Nepalese were undefeated in hand-to-hand combat with British colonists during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–16). So how exactly does a kukri work? Well, it's characterized by a forward-curving blade which is designed to help maximize the force of your blow. 

This curved shape gives you extra reach, so it's easier to cut through harder materials such as wood, rope, and even metal. The Nepalese also used their machetes in hand-to-hand combat — they slashed their enemies or stabbed them with the tip of the blade.

  • Bolo Machete

A bolo machete is a tool for quickly clearing undergrowth, chopping through roots and small tree branches, and even cutting sugarcane. These machetes are similar in appearance to a traditional type but with an edge on one side that curves to the shape of a scythe blade. This edge can be used to cut grasses or other crops, while the other sharpened edge can be used for chopping heavier materials such as wood or even bone.

The blade comes from either forged steel or stainless steel. The handle is typically made of either hardwood or fiberglass with an ergonomic shape designed for maximum comfort during use. The handle is typically slightly longer than most machetes to better accommodate the scythe-like edge. 

This is traditionally used in parts of Latin America such as Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The blade can be used for cutting grasses or other crops, while the other sharpened edge can be used for chopping heavier materials such as wood or even bone. 

Bolos are intended mainly as utility cool knives, though they also make very good weapons. They have become popular with survivalists and campers due to their long reach, ease of use, and excellent cutting ability. The wide surface area means that less effort is needed to cut through material than with a typical knife blade.

  • Latin Machete

A Latin type is a large knife with a long, thin blade. It is used for harvesting and cutting through dense vegetation. The heavy weight of the blade can also be used to chop down small trees or bushes, clearing land for crops to grow. While its shape may not be that unique, other vine-cutting tools may look more exotic: 

the bola (a hooked metal tool), the coa (a sharpened tool from an atapao tree), cayuca (an axe-shaped knife made from a stone-like material). The traditional type has been replaced in modern times by a lighter and smaller variation called a bushcraft machete. The traditional type is one of the first cutting tools ever used by humans, along with the axe and pocket knife

The original types were made by American Indians and are still in use in some tribes. The Romans created a gladiator called the "macerator", whose sole purpose was to close in with a short sword while his opponents were distracted by a longer blade held at bay by his opponent. 

  • Panga Machete

A panga is a boat adapted into a makeshift, single-scull boat propelled with a paddle. The name comes from the pangas of West Africa, which are long narrow boats with sails. Pangas typically have one or two outriggers for stability, but if you don't have those the edge of your "paddle" can be used to brace against the other side of your boat.

The word Panga Machete is an amalgamation of "panga" meaning boat and "machete." It's intended to describe something that could be defined as a boat knife or high-speed landing craft knife. This type takes the blade of a machete and puts it on the end of a paddle. You may use the edge of your paddle to brace yourself against the movement of your boat when behind or underwater. 

This type works well for hitting, chopping, and digging in close-quarters situations. This type is described as such because it's designed with 2 blades on each side of a boat paddle or canoe paddle, which can be used to chop, strike or dig in close-quarters situations.

  • Bowie Machete

A bowie knife is a large-bladed, single-edged sword similar to a broadsword or saber. It has a handle and either a full or half tang. This type of knife was popularized in the 19th century by James Bowie, who used it in the legendary knife fight at Hays Station, where he killed and injured several men with it. 

Bowie

The term "bowie knife," often shortened to "bowie," is generic; other terms include fighting or camp knives (for use with camping or hunting) and hunting knives (used mainly for field dressing). The best way to learn how to use your bowie machete safely is to attend some mixed martial arts classes.

Benefits of a Machete Knife

A machete can be used as a weapon, but it can also provide you with health benefits. It is primarily a tool for cutting through vegetation- anything from bushes to trees. They are so versatile that most people cannot even keep up with all the different tasks they can do for you! 

But some people buy them more for protection than anything else so take this into account before purchasing one. The following are some benefits of owning a machete for your home.

  1. Fights Infections 

These are used to cut cane and sugar cane so it is usually very sharp and you can use them to fight off infections. Even if you do not intend on using this outside the house, you should still keep it in the kitchen in case someone gets a wound or infection on their hand and needs to be cut off.

  • Hacks through Branches 

It is quite useful in trimming back overgrown brush or getting rid of pesky vines around your tree branches. You can even use them to help clear snow out of your driveway when it is needed.

  • Clearing Brush 

The inch can help make a path through the underbrush, thus opening up a new trail or clearing a path to get to your favorite fishing spot. You also want to note that you can use a machete for chopping up firewood and clearing bushes as well. It is extremely useful for homesteaders and people that have big gardens in their backyards.

Also Read: How to Sharpen a Machete?