brush clearing knife recommendation

[Amoo]

I've experienced a pretty similar phenomenon.

In fact a fiskars folding saw and X7 hatchet have a permanent spot in my hiking bag.

The folding saw is awesome, I have 2 because mine kept ending up in my wife's garden bag, same for the hand trimmers. The loppers are solid as well. I haven't even done any research on the materials they're using for different thing, I've just found that if Friskars has an option available I'm usually pretty pleased. Absolutely love my splitting axe.

 

[FlaMtnBkr]

Not trying to be a smartass either. I have many acres of woods that I clear out the under brush every few years. A quality weed eater with a metal blade is many times faster than any handled blade. It will also easily cut 1" saplings and doesn't leave a stump that is usually at a sharp 45 deg to step on later.

I know this is a knife forum but for clearing lots of land this is one of the best hand held options. I still like a machete when I'm walking around and want to make a trail or clean up things I may have missed, but not for a lot of cutting.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would do the same. Those 45 degree angle cuts on stumps really suck if you wear rubber boots around. Very sharp.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Not trying to be a smartass either. I have many acres of woods that I clear out the under brush every few years. A quality weed eater with a metal blade is many times faster than any handled blade. It will also easily cut 1" saplings and doesn't leave a stump that is usually at a sharp 45 deg to step on later.

I know this is a knife forum but for clearing lots of land this is one of the best hand held options. I still like a machete when I'm walking around and want to make a trail or clean up things I may have missed, but not for a lot of cutting.

A bush scythe will handle volume removal of up to about thumb-thick green growth and doesn't leave a 45° stump. On thick targets I always make two cuts--an upward one to more easily sever the main trunk and then a second trimming cut to pare off any point left by the first stroke. Bush hooks can clip close to the ground with little effort, as well. It's mostly a matter of technique.

 

[R15K]

I really like the Gerber Gator machete. It's very comfortable to use and the sawback is great. Just keep something to steel the edge with on you (I use the spine of another knife) since it will roll.

 

[DavidZ]

Looking to clear brush in my woods. Any machete type works, but I have broken a few and thrown a few away that could not hold an edge. Any brand recommendation, and of course blade length and steel type appreciated. I have acres worth that I will eventually clear. I have a chainsaw to use as needed, just a blade that would be practical for cutting small branches, brush and maybe up to an inch diameter tree starter, and still hold up for me
Thanks

Here is an alternative for you. I have one, and it is a great tool! :thumbup::thumbup:

Silky Yoki Chopper

 

[GREENJACKET]

Not trying to be a smartass either. I have many acres of woods that I clear out the under brush every few years. A quality weed eater with a metal blade is many times faster than any handled blade. It will also easily cut 1" saplings and doesn't leave a stump that is usually at a sharp 45 deg to step on later.
I know this is a knife forum but for clearing lots of land this is one of the best hand held options. I still like a machete when I'm walking around and want to make a trail or clean up things I may have missed, but not for a lot of cutting.

This^ , wear safety glasses. Follow up with strong and correct weedkiller on young new growth if necessary.

The modern billhook is on the thin cutter side. Older styles had a heavier grind for hedge laying. Sickle's were used for the thin stuff. Very fine for hay cutting, thicker for clearing, hand ones in both styles for thatch reed cutting. The old boys knew a thing or two; they also had to work hours at it, not just poke at it for a play.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Not all modern billhooks are lightweights.

As a matter of distinction, sickles are strictly for harvesting grain crops. Grass hooks and corn hooks were used on grasses, thatch, reeds, and weeds. Grass hooks came in both "sickle type" and "scythe type" varieties, denoting their method of build. If memory serves correctly, in the UK heavy-duty grass hooks were referred to as "bagging hooks."

 

[GREENJACKET]

You may well be right, nice one.
I grew up with a forester with the full Victorion garden tool shop, all oiled up, sharpened up, ready for use. Sorry don't know all the names but there were specialist tools for every job. Scythes, sickles, choppers, ditch blades, billhooks, slashers, saws, hoes, froes, forks, mauls, axes, hay knives, rakes, chisels, mallets, loppers, and spades; you name it it was in that shed. Smelt of grass seed, peat, and tobacco. Always a rag and bottle of linseed oil ready.

 

[hossgray23]

Not going to lie, I have replace almost all my outdoors heavy use tools with Friskars stuff and have yet to be disappointed. Haven't used this specific model, but everything I have of their is awesome so I would be surprised if this thing sucks.

Another vote for the brush axe here. This thing has completely replaced my machetes. That hook will cut and chop through lighter stuff that a machete will glance off of or push out of the way.

 

[ATJ999]

I have a farm and use my slimline machetes hours a week of solid chopping. I have a few, but my favorite is my 20 inch 3V steel slimline machete from Robert Martin at tearsofthesword. I will email you his info.

Another one I saw someone already mention would be a Carothers light chopper. I have one and it works great, but I do like the extra length of my machete for certain types of clearing.

 

[1Fatty]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will take a look at them and go from there. Probably try a few.... I mean they are still knives, and you can't have just one....

 

[Mahatma]

The Svord golok is great tool, the L6 steel offer a great edge retention, I live in south pacific island and after used lots of machetes this one is the best i've found.

 

[GREENJACKET]

Svord Golck is $210, a Martindale Golock maybe $45??, and a Skrama $60-80 depending on sheath option. Svord maybe very capable, I don't know, but thats quite a price to hit a rock with. The Skrama is my recommendation for very good reason: a thinking man's golock at a bargain price for its ability. Well thats what I think, and non of mine nor anyone yet has given me reason to think otherwise.

I'm in two minds about some Fiskars equipment as I've had mixed results. For me quality is a bit too garden centre, even if reasonably for price point.

Anyway, good luck with the search.

 

[Mahatma]

The Svord golok deserves its price, I just use it nearly everyday, hit a rock is not a problem for L6 steel it sharpens easily and is quite tough. It's just a suggestion for 1Fatty, I guess he's a big man and can choose alone what kind of price he will spend on his machete.