Accident with Machete

[Episteme]

Yesterday, I took my new machete out to the bushes and trees in my backyard to do some hacking. I wrapped the lanyard around my wrist several times, and went to work. Using an overhead swing, I swung at a branch which was quickly severed, yet the machete kept going. As the handle was slippery with some sweat, it slipped out of my hand, and continued to swing downward due to it being attached to my wrist via the lanyard. The said blade continued into my right shin, resulting in a dull "thud" sound, quickly followed by a world of hurt. I quickly rolled up my pant-leg to assess the damage, to find a small gash in the shin bone less then an inch long. It started to bleed a few seconds later, and continued to hurt until later that night.
Upon reflecting on my unfortunate incident, several thoughts came to mind.
1) Although I practice some basics in MBC on my own, it seems that much more skill and practice are needed in order to safely wield a heavy, long bladed tool / weapon like a machete, sword, or axe.
2) I prefer a sharp, smaller tool like a spyderco for self defense as it is easier to wield safely for the user.
3) Spyderco's can be sharpened to a keen, razor edge and kept that way easier than a large cleaving tool.
Mostly, I think that much more training and practice are needed in order to safely utilize a large cleaving weapon like a machete, sword, axe, etc.
Are my observations correct?
Mike

[greencobra]

I winched while reading this. Bad luck, hope the wound heals quickly.

[deeker]

As someone who has no experience with any MBC training, and the longest 'weapon' I use is a hockey stick.... I would say you are thinking correctly. Anything longer and heavier is going to take more skill and strength to handle deftly. A disadvantage to shorter weapons would be closer contact.

I trust you heal quickly. Getting hit in the shins with anything is painful enough - self-inflicted with a large blade, that tops it! :o

[Ed Schempp]

I had the pleasure of working with Warren Osborn, Gayle Bradley and Jim Crowell, and Scott Devanna developing safety and certification for the International Cutting Competition Trail.

Technique and control change when cutting in competition or in a state of fatigue. A gentleman from Texas sustained a life threatening injury in a cuttinbg competition, I beleive over 40 stitches.

If you get a chance to work with an ICCT trainer, you may qualify to compete and more importantly learn to cut with safety. It is real important to have another set of eyes watch you cut. The feedback could possibly prevent injury.

It is extremely fun to cut with a big knife, it is also a big responcibility. What if it is you, your big knife, on a hike tem miles from the trail head; small injuries can turn life threatening with location.

Have fun cutting, learn to do so safely...Take Care...Ed

[Episteme]

I think I will put some adhesive tape on the handle of the machete, so if it gets sweaty, there is less chance of it slipping. Also, I do not plan on using the lanyard when chopping again.
I like to think I'm a fairly strong guy; I bench press 250 lbs. and deadlift 320 lbs. at 145 lbs. bodyweight. Swinging the machete is really not a problem- controlling the blade when it slips out of my hand proved to be the real issue.
What sort of MBC training would one look to if learning to train with a very large blade for defense (sword, machete, axe). Is there any recorded training that Knights used during the Middle Ages utilized?
Mike

[smcfalls13]

Gotta watch the follow through of the blade. I've found the overhead cuts are extremely dangerous, for the reasons you've just been acquainted with.

In my experience with yardwork and machetes, there are two things you can do to keep your limbs intact and your blood internal. One is to cut at a diagonal angle, rather than straight up or down. Not only does it cut more easily, but on the blade's follow through, you won't be aiming a cut at yourself. Second, don't use all your strength in a swing. I know it's incredibly fun to sever branches in one stroke, but if you use too much force, you'll lose control over the blade on the follow through, and risk injury. It's not as satistfying, but I'd rather have to cut the same brand twice at half strengh, and retain control of the blade, than use one full strength chop and have the edge implanted in me.

[Ed Schempp]

A lot of folks are going to a forward anchored lanyard rather than a rear attachment, this keeps the knife from slipping forward, especially during chopping. This Sal's idea and it works great...Take Care...Ed

[yablanowitz]

Just my 2 cents, but I keep my machete very sharp, and let IT do the work. I never put a lot of effort into the swing, if the tool is sharp and the speed is right, it will cut right through a lot of material with little effort. Always cut at a diagonal, two strokes are better than one on most branches (anything much over 1/2 inch), and I never tie the tool to my body. If it comes loose from my hand, I would rather go look for it than use duct tape to reassemble my body to get to help. :D