Just found the strangest thing...by Fiskars no less!

[PayetteRucker]

you would be amazed at all the cool shit Fiskars makes in europe... my ex-boss is Norwegian and spends 6 months out of the year in Norway XCountry skiing. He always brought back crazy fiskars stuff you can't buy in the US... most of it is potato oriented.

 

[Mistwalker]

With all the briar and honeysuckle vines here I'd love to have one of those!

 

[PayetteRucker]

make one... have joe call condor

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I've been trying for a year now.

 

[olydemon]

They do make a shorter handled version of that tool that's available in the US:

But you are right, the big one does not seem to be available here.

Is this basically the same as the Gerber one? I was looking at the Gerber version at the local Cabelas this weekend. Does this kind of tool work very well? I want to get a machete for yard work, but dont want to buy the 15 dollar china cheapo sold at the local home improvement stores. So far Cabelas is the only place Ive found anything slightly decent. They also had the wood handled WP, Myerco 22" SS, Ontario chopper, or the Gerber Gator.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Is this basically the same as the Gerber one? I was looking at the Gerber version at the local Cabelas this weekend. Does this kind of tool work very well? I want to get a machete for yard work, but dont want to buy the 15 dollar china cheapo sold at the local home improvement stores. So far Cabelas is the only place Ive found anything slightly decent. They also had the wood handled WP, Myerco 22" SS, Ontario chopper, or the Gerber Gator.

It's exactly the same as the Gerber one. Fiskars owns Gerber.

Billhooks are fantastic tools, but the single-edge versions like that one ARE more specialized tools than machetes. If you plan on using it mostly of grasses, woody stemmed plants, brambles, and trimming branches then it's your go-to tool! However the forward curve does mean that it can get caught up or obstruct your cut in some situations.

Double-edged billhooks typically have a hatchet-like blade on the backside that allows for usage like a hatchet. The crotch between the two sides works well for pushing brush out of the way without stooping or using your hands. An excellent example is the Condor Bush Knife (though I wish they made a bigger version). Here's mine--it's a highly versatile tool!

However, if you want something more like a machete then I'd go with anything by Condor, Imacasa (Condor's parent company), Hansa, or Tramontina.

 

[banana-clip]

Looks like a useful tool

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

It's one of my very favorite outdoor tools. Incredibly versatile and it hits real hard for something as compact as it is. I just want one with a little more reach.

 

[glefic]

They do make a shorter handled version of that tool that's available in the US:

But you are right, the big one does not seem to be available here.

I saw the shorter 1 at my local walmart last night

 

[A.L.]

Thanks! There's only so much that an automatic translator can do. I figure that they're referring to the intended target material, though--that looks like one of their polymer handles. Am I correct?

Nope, the last time I checked they had wooden handles. What I meant about a bit too lightweight, the handle seems weirdly lightweight. But maybe it's some exotic hard wood, but seems too light for finnish wood for me. Can't tell.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Interesting! I wouldn't have expected that, given the paint job, but it makes it more appealing if anything. I think the hollow polymer handle would have made it a bit light, especially if you already consider it to be on the light side!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Well I just got an email back from Fiskars. No deal on buying any in the states. Boo.

 

[A.L.]

I might be remembering the whole thing wrong though about the weight..
And ofcourse something with such size packs quite a punch anyway.

 

[attej]

Does this kind of tool work very well? I want to get a machete for yard work, but dont want to buy the 15 dollar china cheapo sold at the local home improvement stores. So far Cabelas is the only place Ive found anything slightly decent. They also had the wood handled WP, Myerco 22" SS, Ontario chopper, or the Gerber Gator.

Ive used a vesuri (thats what those are called in Finland) for quite some time and IMHO they work really well. They are mostly used for pruning trees that are cut down. When the tree is horizontal, you simply walk along side it and hack away from up to down in a way that the "hook" part hits the branch. Using an axe for this is a bit dangerous 'cause if an axe hits even a little sideways, or hits the trunk when your standing beside it, the blade might end up in your knee.

Anyway, when I was a kid all we had was forged heavy vesuris with a wooden handle. These Fiskars'es are lighter and a lot easier to use, but due to the slimmer blade profile, just as effective. If you have use for such tool, get one :thumbup: I still use one every summer.

I have no idea how they would work as machetes though. They are propably not intended to be used as ones but wheter the hook is in the way or beneficial in that kind of work, I dunno.

Ive actually never used a two-handed version, even though I have seen them around. I think theyre mostly intended for the same thing as the shorter version, just for larger trees / branches. I think that kind of use is rare nowadays, most ppl I know use a small chainsaw for thicker branches. And to be honest, Im lazy enough to do that too

 

[olydemon]

Well, I ended up finding a Condor El Salvador tonight so I think im satisfied for a little while for yard work. I have a Corona curved tree saw and also pruners. Im sure nothings gonna stand in my way this spring as I go to town on a few years of overgrowth. I'll maybe get the Gerber hooked tool later, or maybe search out a Condor version like posted above.

I also use the chainsaw. Something so soothing in the chainsaw massacre style reving of the engine...

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

As far as what's available for billhooks stateside DEFINITELY get a Condor Bush Knife. The thing rocks unbelievably.

I just wish I could get my hands on a two handed vesuri thingy over here.