Machete is a large cleaver-like chopping tool used for traditional practices such as for agriculture purposes or cutting through soft brushwood in forest capacities. This ultimate outdoor gear is used for slicing while the weighted upper blade offers the optimal force required for chopping, smashing, cracking, digging, and whittling. Undeniably, this makes for a deadly improvised weapon.
This historic tool is very much similar to the falchion of the medieval age. The falchion is a short sword which was very much popular in the 13th century and onwards. One edge of the tool is somewhat curved and wide at the point while the other edge has a straight shape. The difference between falchion and machete is that machete doesn’t feature any guard and the handle is simpler than the falchion. Though you can also find some machetes with a guard which is quite rare.
Besides, you will also find it slightly similar to the Kopis of the ancient Greek, the seax of the German tool or the Dao of the Chinese tradition. In addition to that, there was a popular Fascine knife of the European militaries from the 18th-20th centuries that resembles machete. Machetes are also being used in the modern day armies following the footsteps of the early soldiers. Subsequently ,they need consistent field use either in the woods, in a bushy terrain, or in the combat field, it carries great value for them.
Stone Age
In the stone age or pre-metallurgic era, men used woody, horn, or bone tools with sharp stones. For instance, obsidian in the United States or tuff in shoreline NSW, Australia linked to harvest wild grain. In ancient cultures, they were often used for both agriculture and war purposes. Two popular examples that still today are Aztec Macuahuitl and the Neolithic sickle (Burton).
Neolithic Era
During the agricultural revolution or the Neolithic Era (10,000BC-5,300BC), the sickle had a major impact by supporting the transition to farming and crop-based regimes. The growing season and crucial role of grain during this era resulted in practically designed and manufacture of the sickle. This led to the beginning of the development of machete.
Bronze Age
Machetes in the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BC) were quite prevalent and still being used in Western Europe today. These tools were particularly made for cutting through vegetation such as small branches and saplings. Here Billhook, another tool similar to machete was constructed of iron during the Middle Bronze Age as well as in the Iron Age (1200-1000 BC). This was third in the three age system.
World War I and II
Machetes were for the most part used during WWI (1914-1918) and United State troops in France. They were issued with the Engineers “Bolo” that has been officially developed with Collins. Another historic event is Banana Wars comprising of series of businesses, police movements, and intrusions involving the United States in Central America and the Caribbean. This allowed the participants to gain familiarity and use of local machetes, most of which were produced by Collins Company. During WWII, the manufacturing of machetes was increased as the United States Army, the Navy, and Marine Corps bought their machetes from the Collins Company.
