I have no scientific basis, no "been there done that" woods "bushcraft or survival experience, but here goes my 2 cents.

I feel that for the majority of us a larger machete type blade would work rather well, as long as it is AT LEAST 1/8 inch thick, like the BG Parang, which MIGHT be a little over 1/8, but plenty stout for camp or "survival" use. It will chop down trees (common sense here) and clear grasses, cattails, cane and vines. NO it will not do these things as well as a REAL machete (18-24 inch blade) but good enough. Don't get me wrong, I LIKE choppers, but for most of the use we put them to something else would work just as well if not better. I WILL always have some kind of chopper, if for no other reason than they perform that roll so well.

And I feel a companion blade in the 3-5 inch range for more delicate tasks is called for. And DO NOT forget a sharpener. I am once again touting the Eze-lap model M sharpening rod. Personally I prefer flat diamond hones, but for "Bush blades" a round rod just makes more sense to me for some reason.

I hope this makes some sense and maybe will help you make up your own mind, something EACH OF US needs to do, no matter what others say.