brush clearing knife recommendation

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1Fatty

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Sep 25, 2016
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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
 
I like this one here

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Sounds to me like a machete is needed and yeah, you have to resharpen them. The steel is softer to allow for more flex and bending. My suggestion is the 18" Condor El Salvador model with the wood handle.

Something more knife-like.... Condor Kumunga which has a 12" blade.

You might consider the Golok made by Bark River. I don't have any experience with it personally, but it will certainly hold an edge longer than the ones I mentioned above. What you want is a fast swinging chopper.
 
What about the old "Woodsman's Pal" thing? Like a cross between a camp knife, machete, and hatchet. Supposed to be great for what you're talking about.
 
The marbles 18" blade machete is great, especially for 15$.
It's made in El Salvador by imicasa ( in south America where they know their machetes ) with a properly tempered distally tapered 1070 blade, it comes sharp unlike the standard imicasa or tramontina machetes, it has a nice orange coating to prevent losing it, and can be had with a nice sheath and a sharpening stone for the same 15$.
Its light and fast, has the right amount of flex, and like a good machete should it's edge will ding or roll rather than chip if you hit a rock. It may not be a thick heavy chopping blade but goes through thicker brush just fine.

I reshaped the handle on mine, but they really are ready to go when you get them.
 
For a budget option that is tough as hell and useful for light chopping tasks as well as brush clearing, look at the Schrade Schkm1 machete. I own 2, one of which I have beat the hell out of, and other than a half inch roll that came from a nail, I can always get it razor sharp with the diamond sharpener it comes with. The other one I have is in mint condition, I bought it because I was sure I would bust up the first one from abusing it so much, and I still haven't had cause to use it.
 
Machete or billhook, depending on the balance of heavy vs. lithe vs. lush sorts of targets you're dealing with and what your target clearance is like. I'd look at Condor, Tramontina, Rinaldi, and Angelo B. for ideas. Something like a Sorrento billhook could be a good option, for instance.
 
I suggest a Billhook too.
Of course a Slingblade might be good choice but you have to top button your shirt, jut out your chin & jabber about mustard biscuits.
 
I use billhooks and a ditch blade for bramble. For all round use usefulness then the Skrama is pretty handy and my regular carry for this kind of thing. A long Tramontina is fine for nettles but not for anything too woody.
All the heavyweight forward weighted choppers can't be stopped once committed to the chop so smash into the ground. Which is why the billhook design is done the way they are and preferable over a straight blade. Fine edges tend to get beaten up in the dirt.
Wood is done best chopped with an axe chip out grind. Springy thin stuff cut with a cutting slicing edge that catches the cut. Its why to have more than one tool in the chainsaw box. Loppers and saws are good for a tidy finish when cutting bushes back. Heavy duty strimmers fitted with a blade have their place too.
 
MAD777 said:
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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.
 
Amoo said:
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.
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The Fiskars billhook works, but it's more of a billhook-shaped machete than a proper billhook and is too light in my opinion. I'd opt for a more traditional billhook if possible.
 
Amoo said:
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.
Click to expand...


I've experienced a pretty similar phenomenon.

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