State forestry employees are more afraid of paper cuts any more (and unfortunately more exposed to them than machetes). We're actually not supposed to use machetes but are provided with Swede axes (Sandvick is the brand most common) but I stick with what I'm used to using.<br><br>I've never had problems with it being slippery but I usually end up with so much pitch on it it's hard to put down! A more serious problem occurs if you slip or fall while carrying your machete and can't get it away from you fast enough. I worked with a guy some years ago who still can't straighten out his fingers because of this type of accident.<br><br>I've used a homemade guard to prevent this. It's a flat plate that clamps to the machete just below the handle and keeps your hand from sliding down towards the blade. It was made out of half of a large hinge with a slot cut in it to place over the blade. A bolt through the hole where the hinge pin goes allows tightening to clamp the guard onto the machete.