Smallish bramble cutter / trail clearing knife wanted

Your asking for a knife recommendation for what a machete was designed. I know you said no machete, but th perfect blade for your needs in the Imacasa 12" Chumpa. Its cheap, light, and so thin it slices like a laser. They run about $10. You're welcome.
 
255 mm blade. Even has a military history.

FAICOUBILL.jpg
 
I have checked now for garden and industrial knives.

Found some interesting ones:
Fiskars K82. Looks like a capable little tool.

Screenshot_20220912-080530~2.png
and an Ontario abbage knife:

Screenshot_20220912-080423~2.png
That knife would really be nice:
6.1" Blade length, 0.07" thin. Unfortunately it's 1095.
Also the Condor Mountain Pass series is very nice and thin, but they are also carbon steel.
 
There are lots of great knives for your purpose, depending on your budget. And - given post #3 - I assume that you want semi- or full stainless.

On the low budget end the Buck 124 (nothing else "low" about it though), to any of the Busse Jacks or the CPK HDFK on the high end. If weight is an issue, like Sharp & Fiery Sharp & Fiery , I recommend the CPK UF2.

And finally, for ~$300, you can ask one of our custom makers to make you one, even in Magnacut.
 
Not to sound anticlimactic, but it seems quite an effort to cut the brambles as you walk along.

How about using a walking staff to just push them out of your way?

Knife content: Use a knife to prepare the walking staff at the beginning of your hike. (That's what I do out of an old tradition...actually a bit of a running joke in the family.)
 
TC said:
Not to sound anticlimactic, but it seems quite an effort to cut the brambles as you walk along.

How about using a walking staff to just push them out of your way?

Knife content: Use a knife to prepare the walking staff at the beginning of your hike. (That's what I do out of an old tradition...actually a bit of a running joke in the family.)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I definitely could use a stick to push the brambles out of the way, but as I actually want a new knife, that's just academic ;)

However I think a stainless fixed knife is missing in my collection and there are quite some good ideas here...

I concur that for the actual job a longer knife or even a Machete is better, but I already have an old CS machete and a Tramontina, that are regularly used in my garden.

I'm going to do some research now and update you with what I came up with:)
 
CS Bushman. 6 1/2” blade, coated, so it won’t rust right away. Light, cheap, and when you realize you wish you had something with a long handle, you can use it to cut yourself one. In the tradition of Azimov’s self-repairing robots, or Kirby vacuum cleaners that polish themselves.
 
Wasty said:
Yeah, I definitely could use a stick to push the brambles out of the way, but as I actually want a new knife, that's just academic ;)

However I think a stainless fixed knife is missing in my collection and there are quite some good ideas here...
Click to expand...

If you mainly just want a good new stainless knife (as good a justification as any), note that ESEE has some models in S35VN. Bradford Guardians can be had in excellent steel. I am growing increasingly fond of my Mora Kansbol, which is quite a bargain. There is also a Cold Steel in 3V that I really like, but I feel embarrassed by the name.
 
In my opinion the 5.5 inch blade length you specified is just too short for brumbles.
I would go with a 10-12 inch blade length which is not too long. Something like The Condor Jungle Bowie, which has an 11 inch 420 HC blade. Stainless and tough enough, the only negative is that I it is overpriced. If you want shorter knives, I think nothing beats a 12 inch blade machete for brambles. They are thin and agile yet still have enough reach for a good momentum and to save your hand from the thorns.
 
DocJD said:
much better to have a nice long grass machete or long handled brush hook .
Click to expand...

DocJD said:
With about a 5' handle on that , I'd be ready to clear some trails !
Click to expand...
You are correct, a brush hook (also called a bank blade) is the best thing short of power equipment for getting yourself through the really thick stuff. I have cleared a lot of line with them in the past, and a machete is a very poor substitute (though more easily carried).

If you are just freeing yourself from the occasional snag, whatever knife is in your pocket should be fine.

Nowadays if I find myself in thick-ish brush, I just find a fallen branch and whack at it, or if it is too thick, find some way around.
 
I have found that for the exact use you describe this worked the best. Brambles are mobile and flexible. Out go the 10" knives. You need a looong blade to keep the thorns at bay. You want it light to not tire out before reaching camp. This fits the bill, in my experience :
https://imgur.com/obR2rc0
The biggest Old Hickory bucher knife. Only downside : it comes without sheath. Bummer. But it's dirt cheap and made of well tempered 1095 steel. You may want to file and sand down the handle to your liking ? No worry. There is enough material.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top