Machete, Kris, and Throwing Iron: Edged Weapons of Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa

Large knives with origins as farming and brush cutting tools are often associated with warfare in geographical regions of rough terrain, dense jungle, hills, and in societies without centralized leadership. They have found use as weapons in guerrilla warfare and internal rebellions. The machete has been employed extensively in political uprisings, particularly in Third World countries with unstable governments; for example, in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

Some of the most varie...