Light Chopper For Briars?

Razor

Razor

Joined
Dec 8, 1999
Messages
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I have kinda got into picking black berries and rasberries. Good reason to get into the woods. Sometimes where the best berries are, they are rose bush briars you need to cut down to get to the berries. I have used my spyderco military and BM Contego with good success. It seems like a good thin light blade does the best. Wonder what would be a good fix blade with a 7-8" blade to cut the briars? I don't really need a big heavy chopper and don't want to carry one while trying to pick the berries. I have thought about a BR Bravo II, but think the blade would be to thick to cut the briars good. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
I agree - go thin. I'd suggest something from Baryonyx Knife Company, they both make and sell a wide range of thin, inexpensive choppers.
 
1) AFAIK, Baryonyx does not "make" any knives, it's an online retail store but the owner is good an making sure his customers get an extra level of QC on the products he sells.

2) To the OP, "rose bush briars"? Sounds more like LOCUST. The stuff grows everywhere, highly invasive and very thorny, cut one down and three more shoot up from the stump. My little plot in SC-Wisconsin is covered with them and with blackberries.
If all you are doing is cutting away branches to reach berries, or cutting the shoots/saplings at the base, then you could go with a short blade as you like. A couple recommendations are an Ontario/Old Hickory "Hop Knife" or "Butcher Knife" or really just get ANY long kitchen blade from St.VdP or Goodwill, sharpen it up and put it to work :thumbup: Actually, a bread knife with scallop-serrations works quite well with such thin geometry. You'll need to find or make a sheath for easy transport, otherwise a simple cardboard or plastic edge-guard will suffice:

(Image of Old Hickory knives from knifeforums)
1300709555-Old_Hickory_kitchen_1.jpg


If you want something a bit longer and fancier, Mora#333 Ultralight Machete:
(image from RN at the Yard)
IMG_2646.jpg


Other longer blade options include machetes from Svord (NZ), Ontario (USA), Tramontina (Brazil) & Imcasa (El Salvador)
 
A propane grill tank, and a "weed burner" wand. Fastest brush clearing tool there is! :p

Now, for the serious part: whoever you go with, get the longest blade you can comfortably swing, and keep a sharpening stone in your pocket, because clearing brush of any kind is a long, aggravating job, and anything that makes it go faster is something you want!
 
I would second the Baryonyx option...got a Svord short machete from Ben some time ago, and it is a great performer (although I know I will have to get on of those Mora #333s as well). Just shoot Ben an email with your questions; he is a great guy to deal with and can help with some accurate recommendations as well.
 
A machete, the longer the better, and a rake to pull the cut branches out of the way. :thumbup:
 
A Mora #333 or Svord Kiwi would be good options, but my favorite for that work is a tool I just got in that's traditionally used for that sort of work--a specific variant of billhook with a long shank.

 
CapitalizedLiving said:
I agree - go thin. I'd suggest something from Baryonyx Knife Company, they both make and sell a wide range of thin, inexpensive choppers.
Click to expand...

^^^this. The Mora 333 with their edge on it is like a laser on brairs, small vines, limbs and such. The Svord Kiwi is a good option as well, slightly more robust than the Mora.
 
I have the Svord and the Mora 333, Svord is definately heaver and works well, I think the 333 would be ideal for the work you described. I have not used my 333 yet, but will soon, Benjamin from Baryonxy sent me notice my 333 sheath is on the way! FYI he did have a grade "B" 333 on his site for $22.
 
On a related note, a little bird told me that the #333 is slated to be discontinued soon. :(
 
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