234 0. When you’re having a kukri vs machete showdown, it’s important to consider the ups and downs of both knives. The greater concentration of energy at the head of a hatchet can allow for more efficient felling of a tree. Hatchet vs Machete This has been argued about ad nauseum. But, in an Indonesian or Amazonian jungle the parang/machete would excel. In which environments do they perform best? If you have a tree trunk any larger than your forearm (especially hardwood), a machete is not up to the task, its just too thin. And which one is more suitable for your wilderness experience. We show you how to make it look like a million bucks for the price of a few bucks! We have tried to include every detail regarding the tools under consideration. Hatchet vs big knife (machete) What do you use? I like the idea of a lighter pack and I feel like I would get other uses out of the machete… But in the years since I started, I have purchased a chainsaw. Well, both tools have their place. After reading the guide carefully, you will be better positioned to decide what particular tool you need. Hatchet is a see also of machete. This is particularly useful in Northern forests where brush vegetation is sparse, and the primary application is likely to be acquiring firewood in the wild. stalks, vines and large leaves. Just like the lower gears are suitable for uphill climbs, the hatchet excels at heavy duty chopping applications. A hatchet is simply the name given to a small single-handed axe with a head design that has a sharp side to cut and split wood, and a hammerhead side on the other. The machete is much more forgiving when chopping because of the longer cutting edge. In addition, it is easier to find than the machete. A hatchet can be thought of as a small axe, that doubles as a hammer, and a knife. Historically used as farm tools, hatchets have also found their way into combat from time to time, the most popular combat oriented hatchet being the Native American tomahawk. However, if you happened upon larger trees, then the obvious choice would be the hatchet. Unless you know you are going to have to be doing some tree removal, or that you will be dealing with a lot of dead and dried wood, I would choose the machete. They don’t use dry wood, as it is too difficult to cut and control your cuts. Also, it cannot be used as a hammer. Otherwise, if weight is not a consideration and you have room – take both! Intended for light to moderate chopping / hacking, Long, (relatively thin) blade provides chopping/hacking ability, Short, thick head provides chopping ability, Difficult to use as improvised combat weapon, Suitable for coniferous / alpine settings. Monarda Didyma - Complete Guide to Red Bee Balm. So, before choosing one to take out to the forest, let’s look at what kind of work you can expect to be doing. A machete is a slashing tool that can clear lots of brush efficiently, and be used as a light duty axe (on green wood). For those who do not know who Bear Grylls is; he is a British adventurer in the show Man Vs. Wild. We are a husband and wife duo. Handle: Machetes have short handles made from materials such as wood, plastic, ivory or Micarta®. Hatchet vs. machete Discussion in 'Equipment & Survival Kits' started by kyhoti, Jun 21, 2011. I live in Florida and I use a 14" tram. By clicking on CONTINUE you confirm that you are 18 years and over. Hatchets and Machetes are suitable for a lot of the same jobs. A hatchet is shaped mainly for felling trees and then for processing firewood. Even though I have a power tool available, I only use it on large diameter trunks! The obvious limitation of the machete’s relatively light weight blade is that its stroke isn’t as powerful as that of a hatchet. The machete vs hatchet debate is a highly contested one – survivalists and outdoor adventurers from all parts of the world have their own preference in this regard, and vouch for it quite forcefully. This is not true of all knives—some are truly strong and well-constructed—but in general a hatchet will last longer than a knife when put to hard use. Let’s have a look! Ultimately then, both tools are great for their own respective applications, but the machete is a bit more versatile, in that certain varieties can pull off heavy duty chopping (albeit requiring more time, and with a greater risk of getting damaged), and almost all can serve as more effective weapons for self-defense if needed.​. Bushcraftpro.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For felling larger trees, a hatchet is clearly the better choice. And, if possible, take both tools! General technical report FPL ; GTR-113: Pages 4.1-4.45. Most people aren’t going to be chopping down a bunch of trees to make way for a new cabin.