Okay I have been pointed at a 30+ acreage filled with Elm, Oak and Pine trees and told to clear out the thousands of Raspberry bushes growing on the rocky ground between the trees. Adding to the fun of the thorns (some of inch size) is the discovery that everything is hung with Kudzu and other vines. Cut the bottom of a bush and everything just hangs there dangling in the breeze by the Kudzu vine. Because of the rocks and tight spaces bush hogging from a tractor isn't an option and hand pushed machines (i.e., a DR) are being used along with the chain saws and other human guided implements.
I have a machete, but quickly found it was too long for good swings in the spaces I am working. My 5" knives don't quite have enough swing (or mass/inertia) in their chop for a single stroke on the vines (some up to 1.5" in thickness). I need a decent chopping knife. Don't need a lot of weight, but I do need it to bite when swung in tight spaces. Suggestions?
I have a machete, but quickly found it was too long for good swings in the spaces I am working. My 5" knives don't quite have enough swing (or mass/inertia) in their chop for a single stroke on the vines (some up to 1.5" in thickness). I need a decent chopping knife. Don't need a lot of weight, but I do need it to bite when swung in tight spaces. Suggestions?
