Hapless Chase met agents to make cuts (8)
I believe the answer is:
machetes
'agents to make cuts' is the definition.
(machetes can be used to cut things)
'hapless chase met' is the wordplay.
'hapless' indicates an anagram.
'chase'+'met'='chasemet'
'chasemet' anagrammed gives 'MACHETES'.
(Other definitions for machetes that I've seen before include "Teaches M. to use large knives" , "Cheats me with large jungle knives" , "pointed weapons" , "Broad heavy knives used as weapons" , "Large heavy knife, weapon or vegetation cutter" .)