The Improvised Machete replaced the Improvised Bow and Basic Arrows as the initial spawn equipment as of the 19/03/2015 update. It is a melee weapon made from scraps of the ship that you came down from. It can be a suprisingly effective weapon if you know how to use it. When you click to 'fire' with [LMB] on the default controls, you slash the machete twice in front of you, both hits capable of inflicting damage on a dinosaur. However, with each use of the machete it also uses up your stamina, so it is unwise to be sprinting if you feel you are about to come into a situation where you might need it, such as when you can hear Utahraptor calls. The best strategy is to stand still to regen stamina and sidestep n' slash. It can be equipped in the first 3 item slots but is most suited to the third slot.