How to Choose a Functional Machete

The first question you should ask yourself before shopping for a machete is what will you use your machete for? Is it for chopping, slashing, or just about everything? Once this is answered, you’ll be in a better position to choose a robust best machete.

How to Choose a Functional Machete from North Carolina Lifestyle Blogger Adventures of Frugal Mom

Machetes over knives

Machete has an upper hand over a knife because of its added benefits; you might use knives to clear weeds, tall grass, branches, and so on, but you can do the same with machetes without tiring yourself out. You’ll be able to clear more ground while traveling from Point A to Point B to reduce fatigue when you clear the path with your machete.  The best part of a machete is that they’re built to last longer and stronger under abuse. Maintaining your machete is inexpensive, and it’s just right for any environment on earth.

The hard core composition of a machete

You need to have some basic information about machetes; most of them measure 12 to 36 inches long and are 0.1 to 0.25 inches thick. Machetes are made of two types of materials, namely carbon steel and stainless steel, both with their own pros and cons. Carbon steel ensures the sharpness of your machete is retained for a longer duration and is much stronger than stainless steel. However, the main drawback of carbon steel is its high maintenance because of rusting, but it’s worth every penny. Stainless steel, as the name suggests, is highly resistant to water and rust due to the additives found in it.

The five elements to help you choose a machete   

  1. Weight – Lighter machetes are preferable for long hikes, and heavier machetes to cut through branches. However, if you’re unsure of its usage, it’s advisable that you go with average-weight machetes.
  2. Sharpness – You would prefer to go for a machete that stays sharp and is easy to sharpen. If the cost doesn’t suit your budget, opt for an inexpensive machete and sharpener.
  3. Length – Longer machetes enable you to cut more with a single swing. But it’s not a wise choice to go hiking with a longer machete.
  4. Material – The choice of material used in a machete determines its sharpness and resistance to rust.
  5. Stealth – Having no sheath can be insane; make sure you purchase a machete with a sturdy sheath. A synthetic sheath would be a preferred if you’re planning a visit to a humid location.

The important uses of machetes 

Machetes have multiple uses. One major use of machetes is that they top the list in a lot of ways. They are  when it comes to maintaining trails. Hunters and fishermen have regained their interest in machetes to clear path to fishing holes, create funnel points for animals, and chop down bushes to create shooting lanes. You might find Kukri as the most prominently used machetes by hunters and fishermen, as it can also be used as a self-defense tool. Another reason for its popular usage could be its lightweight and cost-effective features. You can also choose from other machetes that fit your bill.

Machetes are not meant for the hunters and the fishermen alone; they’re used to clear areas to survey stations, lines of sight, and to cut through the thick forest to reach boundaries. It’s proved to be effective in chopping compost into tiny pieces that break it down quickly.

Rice, sugarcane, corn, millet, barley, buckwheat, oats, rye, and many other crops can be harvested with ease using machetes. Farms and gardens filled with cover crops and dead plants can be removed with ease with a machete, and keeping the ground vegetation and the root biomass intact. Carving, incising, and chopping wood can be a daunting task, but with a machete, you can complete these tasks with ease.

It’s suggested that you opt for the best machete when your safety at great risk, or while you venture into the dense forest infested with wild animals. Machetes can come in handy to butcher wild game, livestock, or poultry, larger livestock into manageable pieces.

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