A ubiquitous sidearm in Latin America and many developing countries, the machete is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and America as well. Lighter than an ax or hatchet, it not only has a wide variety of agricultural uses, but is also a great camping accessory. Here are a few common uses for a machete.
Cleaning brush, foraging a path
This is where the machete truly outperforms almost all other blades. With its broad cutting service and light weight, the machete is the ultimate bushwhacking tool. If you’re traveling through dense woods, a machete is the best way to expedite your journey by removing vines, bushes and thorns that are obstructing your path. It is also a great tool to use to clear a campsite.
Splitting firewood
Why opt for lugging around a hatchet or an ax when a machete can do more? A properly sharpened machete can easily split logs and, if need be, even fell small trees.
Chopping food
If you brought vegetables or other provisions that need to be cut into smaller pieces, a machete is capable of doing the job. A machete can slice up pretty much anything you can eat, so you can forget about needing to lug around a large knife for cooking. It’s also great for splitting coconuts and other fruits.
Fending off wild animals, killing venomous snakes
In an ideal world, you’d never encounter an angry rattle snake or a hungry mountain lion. But the bottom line is that no matter how cautious you are, the great outdoors are full of uncertainties. With a machete, you can not only slice through snakes, but fight off a larger predator if need be.
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