In my opinion, the main difference between sword and machete is about the use they are intended (and optimized) for: the machete is for clearing your way through deep vegetation, while the sword is intended as a weapon. An axe or hatchet is intended for heavy chopping and wood splitting. A knife is basically a smaller tool, intended for push and friction cutting and slicing. A bayonet is a stabbing tool. And a bowie knife is intended to do all these things (of course it will not chop as well as an axe or clear the bush as a machete, nor will it be as effective weapon as a sword or stab as a bayonet; but it will do these all with acceptable efficiency).

The difference in design are all caused by the intended use. So, a samurai sword cannot be called "machete" (for example)!

I didn't know "machete" is a low-cost stuff related name!
I thought all Kukris fall in the machete cathegory also.

[color:"orange"] What I understand by [color:"yellow"] "machete" [/color] is a long bladed knife which is also wide enough and which is intended for clearing your path while walking through the jungle or other rich vegetation areas. [/color]