I was with a friend hiking in the California hills recently. Proud of being prepared, he pulled out an old sheet metal machete. He decided to try the leaf on a tree in the middle of our hike. When he swung and hit the tree, he jumped at it barely scratching the surface. He simply proves that an old traditional machete cannot be compared to today’s modern ones. Innovations in machete design have created a much more functional and high performance tool. Modern machetes are built from quality materials that are more durable and resistant to wear and tear.
For example, take the wooden handle that older machetes and knives are made from. The handle may crack due to shock absorption. And if you do drop it in water, you’d better dry it up quickly or the wood will rot from exposure to moisture. The current machete handle comes in a variety of materials, such as resin-based carbon fiber, fiberglass, linen, and polymers. Synthetic materials are stronger and water resistant, making for excellent handling. These materials can be molded to the twist of the handle (the shank) or can be fastened securely with galvanized or stainless steel screws.
The quality of the blade is also a must if you are seriously going to venture outdoors. A dull and flimsy sheet metal blade will not help you with the wide variety of tasks you can find in nature. Don’t get me wrong; it can work well for cutting thin vegetation and doing small tasks. But what about the heavier tasks, like chopping thick branches in your path, gathering firewood, digging, and building a shelter? A quality modern machete is made from heat-treated, high-carbon steel that is stiffer, more durable, and heavier to provide maximum cutting power. The carbon steel blade retains a sharp edge while withstanding the heaviest of abuse. I have seen quality machete cuts through thick branches and yet it can cut through paper like a razor blade afterwards. On the extreme side, the carbon steel blade can cut sheet metal, metal pipe, and even cement brick with little or no damage to the blade. That’s what you want by your side in nature!
Some old school machete may or may not come with a sheath (sheath for blades). Holsters are usually made of nylon, leather, or wood. Nylon sheaths will tear, leather sheaths will rot if exposed to prolonged moisture, and wooden sheaths can rot and crack over time. A good machete comes with a synthetic sheath made of some kind of plastic, kydex. The plastic sheath provides protection from the sharp blade and is highly resistant to the elements. In addition, it is flexible and resistant enough to provide excellent comfort. The plastic sleeve will not rip, rot or crack. If she lost one in the jungle, her grandson may find it one day because he will be there for decades, if not hundreds of years.
The great outdoors can be an unforgiving and deadly place if you’re not prepared. If your survival depends on your equipment, then have the best in quality and performance. An outdated cheap machete that dulls after a few cuts will waste your time and maybe cost you your life. Get something once that works well for a long time.
