A state-wide ban on machetes might slow down knife crime in Victoria – but the weapon type was never the issue, experts have warned.

Victoria's state government this week officially classified machetes as "prohibited" weapons under a newly-enshrined law, effectively making it illegal to own, carry, use, buy or sell a machete.

Swinburne criminologist Joel McGregor described the ban as a small "barrier" for criminals, but said there will still be plenty of ways machetes, or any weapon, will end up in the wrong hands.

"There's always an outcome of banning something, and there is likely to be a reduction [in machete crime]," he told 9news.com.au .

"But if people do want to get their hands on a machete, they will. And if they want to get their hands on another implement, they will.

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