My choices are a walking stick or staff made from Ironwood (hophornbeam) same family of woods that are used for bokens and other training weapons.
staffs have a million purposes and are a great extension of the body.
For closer quarters, I have the kershaw outcast bush knife. Good for many purposes, and great sheath system. Its reasonably priced and tough as
nails, made from tool steel (not the best but better than most machetes or bush knives in its class). I like the idea of a cold steel kukri but too
rich for my blood (someday, I'd like to make my own from a cold steel blank blade) and purposes. I got the outcast off ebay for about $75. The
Ka-bar kukri would be good too as well the M-tech kukri hog knife is it? its seems good also.
I also highly recommend studying an internal martial art to improve melee skills. Higher level Tai chi really helps in anticipating and avoiding
attacks. Listen, yield/withdraw, uproot balance, then attack. Learning how to move and neutralize opponents movements compliments the use of any
melee weapon.
