You would think knowing how to use a machete is intuitive, but like most tools, this is not the case. A machete knife is just like an ax or chisel in the sense that knowing how to use it will go a long way towards how effective you are with it. That being said, here are 5 tips to improve your proficiency with your machete or knife, and which will make you much more effective when using it.

Just like you might think learning how to use a machete or knife properly was a matter that was self explanatory, you might think you want the thing as sharp as possible. True, it’s cool if you have a machete or knife that’s razor sharp. That is, until you actually use it and within a few whacks the blade is as dull as a butter knife.

Some blades should be razor sharp. By and large these are used for delicate tasks. A machete, which is primarily used for brusque work like clearing brush, should not be this sharp. An edge that’s too finely sharpened may cut well through the first few strikes, but it will also get dull much faster than one that’s sharpened at the proper angle, and more importantly, it’ll be hard to get the edge back if that first sharpening leaves an edge that’s too fine.

A good sharpening angle for a machete is somewhere between 23° and 25°, which is much more obtuse than a razor, which typically has an edge somewhere between 14° and 18°. Also, most razors (and very sharp knives) are given a hollow or flat grind. With a machete, you want a convex grind, also known as an ax grind. The reason for this is twofold. One, a convex grind is much more physically robust and tolerant of abuse, unlike a flat grind or hollow grind, which can be damaged by hard use. Secondly, a convex grind will be easier to restore if you handle your machete or knife appropriately.

A machete is like an ax in the sense that you don’t want to contact the grain of the wood, or whatever you’re cutting, in a perpendicular fashion. No matter how sharp the machete is, it’s either going to bind, glance, or not bite in. This a machete shares in common with an ax. The most efficient way to cut with one, whether you are cutting bottles, green vegetation, vines or wood, is to contact the target at an angle of around 45°. This will maximize sheer forces that will help the blade cleave through the target. Of course, it doesn’t need to be exactly 45°. You’ll want to experiment with it, based on whatever your target is, to find the ideal angle. Just know that it won’t be directly edge-on.

Suppose you have a round of wood that you want to split up for a fire. You can use your machete or knife like an ax, but expect to waste a lot of energy doing so. There just isn’t enough mass behind the blade of a machete to make it effective for splitting wood rounds. But, the blade of a machete generally is long enough to make an effective baton.

Place the edge of your machete or knife across the end grain of the wood round you intend to split. Then, using another piece of wood, strike the spine of the machete to drive it into the wood. Hammer, or “baton” the machete through the round until it splits it, then repeat this process as described until you have processed all of the wood you want, as desired. This is much more effective than attempting to split with a machete by “chopping” at the rounds.

If your machete has a squared spine, you can also use it to light a fire if you have a ferrocerium fire starter. Gather a pile of tinder, place the end of the ferrocerium rod into the center of the pile, place the spine of the machete against the ferro rod, and in a short, sharp motion, strike down into the pile of tinder. It takes some practice but it should only take a few tries before you become fairly consistent with your ability to light a tinder bundle in this manner.

Lastly, this tip is to improve safety. If you have a machete knife that has a hole through the base of the handle where the pommel is (or should be) create a lanyard loop and place this around your wrist when you use the machete. This will improve your control, will help prevent your hand from slipping, and in some instances can add leverage as you swing the machete.

Hopefully you found these suggestions insightful, and if you’re here for a new machete or knife you’re in the right place. Check out our full collection and if you need any help finding anything get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to assist.