Parang

Parang is a large, single-edged machete used in Southeast Asia. The blade is broad and robust, typically 20 to 60 cm long, designed for chopping through brush, light timber, and agricultural tasks. The handle is often wood or rattan, and the blade profile may be straight with a slight curve and a convex edge for durability. Some variants have a longer blade for heavy chopping, others are shorter and more maneuverable for farming tasks.

It is used for clearing fields, cutting saplings, splitting wood, making shelter components, and other farm, forestry, or construction tasks. It may also appear in historical or rural contexts as a deterrent or improvised tool.

Regionally, parang is common in Indonesia and Malaysia, and is part of a broader family of regional machetes that includes golok and bolo in neighboring cultures. Variants differ in weight, blade curvature, and handle shape to suit local crops and work methods.

In modern times, parang blades are produced by traditional smiths as well as mass manufacturers, using steel of varying quality; some high-end versions are forged with heat treatment to improve edge retention.