The Machete, Battle Axe, Broad Sword, Sledge Hammer, Video Game, Combination; Is it Really a Tool of Choice for Survival?

“Few tools are as versatile, and functional, as a good machete; whether you are hunting, camping, working in your backyard, or surviving in the deepest jungle, nothing is handier or more useful.”

True, under such conditions as jungle navigation/travel; in which relatively crude, imprecise, chopping, hacking, slashing or just the usual “bull whacking” is, or might; conceivably, be deemed necessary; machetes have long been proven; as a somewhat versatile; and undoubtedly, functional, tool. So, when other tool functions; pile driving for example; are urgently required: why not combine a “good” machete with a “good axe” and sledge. Sounds like an excellent idea-Right?

But, is it really?

Would such a combination create the ideal tool of choice? The “must have” for any real chance of survival? To be carried on your person at all times-whenever, wherever; there is any possibility, whatever; that one may be entering into a potential emergency/survival situation? Now, as you already know; I am primarily interested in Canadian survival; so, to answer the question, as we did in the case for an ordinary survival knife, let us examine the ways in which this tool might be put to use in a Canadian environment.

Might it be used to:

Cut your way out of a crashed bush plane?

Cut away heavy brush, in order to facilitate travel?

Cut branches, brush, cat tails, reeds, rushes, or other debris, when fashioning a shelter?

Cut and split firewood?

Cut or shave kindling?

Drive pegs, stakes, or posts?

Hold you down; and keep you from being blown away, in case of a tornado?

Help keep your pants from riding up too high and giving you a wedgie?
Might it be used as crow-bar, hammer, make-shift screwdriver, a very much unneeded weapon for hunting or self-defence (emergency survival, you are not conducting a military exercise).

The machete/axe combination is definitely standing out as a tool of choice. But, could you really use it for any of these other tasks that you are likely to require of a Survival Knife: clothing and equipment repair, cutting lace or thongs, cutting meat and vegetables, dressing fish or game, FIRST-AID, food preparation, setting snares with precision triggers that actually function.
IS IT SOMETHING YOU COULD, OR WOULD,  CARRY AT ALL TIMES; OR IS IT SOMETHING TO FASTEN ON YOUR STEERING COLUMN, NEXT TO YOUR GEAR-SHIFT CONSOLE, HANG ON THE WALL, OR PLACE IN A GAME CABINET/TROPHY CASE, INTENDED TO DEPRESS PEOPLE-YOU KNOW LIKE A CROCODILE DUNDEE OR RAMBO KNIFE? 

© Al (Alex-Alexander) D. Girvan 2013. All rights reserved.