The term “machete knife” might be a little cumbersome, but that notwithstanding these are incredibly versatile tools, especially for bushcraft or survival.

Here’s why, despite the imposing size, you should have one around the campsite the next time you’re out there.

Trailblazing

This is the original use of a machete knife; clearing and maintaining trails. The weight-forward blade of most machetes excels at chopping through vegetative and woody material, making them exceptional tools for keeping outdoor areas clear of overgrowth.

Processing Whole Saplings

While anything larger than a sapling will likely merit the use of a more specialized tool for the purpose, such as a hatchet or ax, a machete is usually more than enough tool for processing a sapling. With a machete knife you can not only cut one down, but limb it, cut it up into sections, and split them for fuel or construction.

Prepare a Fire

A machete is a great tool for fire prep because it can process wood so effectively. With one, you can chop up kindling, use the spine of the machete to scrape some tinder from wood or bark, or even carve feathersticks to make lighting the fire itself easier.

Starting a Fire

The spine of a machete knife, assuming it is square, can actually be used to strike sparks from a ferrocerium rod for the purpose of physically lighting a fire. This makes machetes one of the most effective tools not just for preparing fuel for a fire, but also for starting the actual fire.

Making Camp Furniture

Because a machete is large enough to baton whole logs and chop aggressively enough to make deep notches, it can be used to craft crude camp furniture, including seats and frame, basic structures, and cooking implements like pot hangers.

Processing Harvests

Granted, there are much more specialized, and better knives, for processing harvest game, but remember, take any port in a storm. A machete is not bad for basic butchering, and even though you can’t filet with one, if it has a point, you can use it to pan dress fish.

Food Prep

You can chop and dice with a machete knife just fine. Again, there are better knives for this, but a machete is better than nothing.

Digging

If you can avoid it, you should not dig with your machete as it will dull the edge. However, if you have no other option, a machete makes a good impromptu trench shovel.

As a Snow Tool

Machetes also make excellent snow tools, specifically for forming and shaping snow. The flat edge and spine of a machete can be used to “cut” shelter out of a drift or bank, as well as to form shelters from sintered snow piles.

Looking for a New Machete Knife?

Here because you’re in the market for a new machete or knife? Visit BudK first. They carry a wide range of knives and tools along with a whole lot of other cool stuff that should be seen rather than described. Visit their website and get in touch with them directly if you have questions.

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