What Is a Machete?

A machete is a very large, long and broad cutting knife, measuring over 20 inches in length. In many parts of the world, the machete is an all-purpose, daily-usage tool. It's also used for protection in emergencies and has been used as a weapon.

Identification

The machete is regarded as the best tool for outdoor tasks. Its length and style gives it maximum functionality, and it's used to perform many cutting actions, as well as for digging and cracking.

Latin America

In Latin America, the machete is for agriculture. It cuts through dense vegetation to harvest crops. It's also used for daily food processing, where it functions like a cleaver.

Africa

Throughout Africa, the machete is known by the name panga. The blade widens and curves up toward its tip. It's used to cut down small trees and to harvest crops.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the machete is called the bolo. The bolo's style is similar to the Latin American machete, except that it widens near the tip to give it extra weight for chopping.

Considerations

Other cutting instruments similar to the machete include the dao sword in China, the golok in Indonesia and the kukri in Nepal.

Resources

• Machetes
• Machete Shop