I can't speak for Art, but I've had a machete going back to my Scout days...one of the very first purchases with my "own" money was a 1944 Collins machete...much more practical than an official Scout hatchet for Florida's climate... I couldn't afford real Boy Scout equipment so made do with GI canteen/cup/stand, pistol belt/suspenders and 2 first aid pouches (black tape, tincture of iodine, 4x4s, film can with matches,Scout knife,whistle,candle,compass,Cutter snake bite kit, halizone tabs)

my current is a 12inch cut down Collins SA from Guatemala