Recommended all rounder tool to cut through nettles, brambles, and all other common scrub which fits into rucksack?

[SoilHugger]

I know a shorter tool is not going to be as effective as a mansize one but I want it to go in my rucksack so I can take it out when on the trail and get hacking whenever I am walking about.

Several times I have ended up coming up against some impassable scrub and had to turn back.

I read machete is a good general use choice but due to chavs in cities some new laws have been passed to control their use. Are they still available if it is clear it is for legitimate use?

Anyhow, I read that the billhook seems to be the tool of choice, and native to our british soil with a time honored tradition of use, which doesn't seem to have gotten hit by these new laws probably because chavs have never heard of them so have not gained the infamy and abuse in contrast to their more exotic bladed cousins.

I am also interested in hedgelaying and read this is a staple for that too.

Pretty cheap to I saw starting around 20 quid.

I noticed there are double bladed ones, one either side, but did not figure out what the second blade would be used for? One side the curved blade and the other a straight one. I read a few comments discouraging double siders due to being more dangerous to use. Is there any real point of the second blade or is it more a gimmick and something you would never use anyway?

 

[yoki]

Get one of these and be done.

Solid brush hook S3 | Fiskars

A versatile tool ideal for trimming trees, thinning out thicker branches, clearing brush, stripping logs & removing branches from felled trees, the brush hook is optimal for one handed use leaving your other hand free to grab and pile cuttings. With a rust-resistant, low-friction coating and...

www.fiskars.com

 

[SoilHugger]

Get one of these and be done.

Solid brush hook S3 | Fiskars

A versatile tool ideal for trimming trees, thinning out thicker branches, clearing brush, stripping logs & removing branches from felled trees, the brush hook is optimal for one handed use leaving your other hand free to grab and pile cuttings. With a rust-resistant, low-friction coating and...

www.fiskars.com

Looks identical to a billhook..why the different name?

 

[yoki]

.why the different name?

No idea, marketing departments decide these things.

But they work, that's what matters.

 

[SoilHugger]

No idea, marketing departments decide these things.

But they work, that's what matters.

Ooohh now THIS looks good:

Billhook Saw User Guide for Clearing Brush & Land | Fiskars

Slice through twiggy growth and hook stubborn roots with one heavy duty and lightweight tool. The Fiskars billhook saw gets the job done right!

www.fiskars.com

In this case the second side is a saw so it replaces the need for a pruning saw. Now THAT second side would come in useful!

 

[Kidds]

 

[yoki]

Ooohh now THIS looks good:

Billhook Saw User Guide for Clearing Brush & Land | Fiskars

Slice through twiggy growth and hook stubborn roots with one heavy duty and lightweight tool. The Fiskars billhook saw gets the job done right!

www.fiskars.com

In this case the second side is a saw so it replaces the need for a pruning saw. Now THAT second side would come in useful!

Nah, too gimmicky.

You'd either cut the hand off yourself or get fed up continually taking it in and out of the wee cover.

I've the long-handled version of this as well and it's very good so I'm sure the short version is equally good making it an alternative to the brush hook if you don't mind the looks.

Fiskars Steel Brush hook

This Fiskars brush hook is constructed from carbon steel with a hooked end. It's ideal for for cutting smaller branches from trees. for clearing weeds and brush in gardens and forest. for stripping bark from logs.

www.diy.com

If you want a sawing option get a Silky pocketboy.

 

[SoilHugger]

Nah, too gimmicky.

You'd either cut the hand off yourself or get fed up continually taking it in and out of the wee cover.

I've the long-handled version of this as well and it's very good so I'm sure the short version is equally good making it an alternative to the brush hook if you don't mind the looks.

Fiskars Steel Brush hook

This Fiskars brush hook is constructed from carbon steel with a hooked end. It's ideal for for cutting smaller branches from trees. for clearing weeds and brush in gardens and forest. for stripping bark from logs.

www.diy.com

If you want a sawing option get a Silky pocketboy.

Hmm you reckon it would be more dangerous to use? WIth the saw side though you wouldn't be swinging that would you so would not be risking hitting yourself when using it.

WHen using the chopper side the saw shouldn't be too risky when pulling it back towards yourself.

I am wondering though, if you get a sharp enough single sided billhook is a saw side redundant since you could use it like an axe and thus take care of anything a prunning saw could do anyway?

I have experience with pruning saws but not using (sharp at least) axes to know if it would be any comparison.

Also aren't there any comparative 'traditional' uk made ones? Since these tools have a long history of domestic use it is nice to try ones that are based on uk designs and support british traditional companies where possible.

 

[Scholsey]

Catalonian strong billhook No.2

Fully ground simple brush cutting hooks hand produced in Catalonia at the workshops of Cuchillería Pallarès the one surviving knife and tool maker in a town once dotted with small manufacturers. Founded in 1917 by brothers Lluís and Carles Pallarès Canal

www.objectsofuse.com

Need more of a curved blade to cut through brambles etc and will cut through it rather than it ride up the handle and have a dogrose rip across your fingers like a chainsaw!

 

[yoki]

If it's sharp enough to be a useful saw, it'll be too sharp to be sensible swinging about unprotected the rest of the time.

Up to yourself whether you want a saw or not, but if you do, then get a saw.

And you'll not get anything easier to carry or use or be more effective than a Silky.

 

[Boohoo]

 

[SoilHugger]

If it's sharp enough to be a useful saw, it'll be too sharp to be sensible swinging about unprotected the rest of the time.

Up to yourself whether you want a saw or not, but if you do, then get a saw.

And you'll not get anything easier to carry or use or be more effective than a Silky.

Also need to look cool though. Silky is for boy scouts.

 

[SoilHugger]

Catalonian strong billhook No.2

Fully ground simple brush cutting hooks hand produced in Catalonia at the workshops of Cuchillería Pallarès the one surviving knife and tool maker in a town once dotted with small manufacturers. Founded in 1917 by brothers Lluís and Carles Pallarès Canal

www.objectsofuse.com

Need more of a curved blade to cut through brambles etc and will cut through it rather than it ride up the handle and have a dogrose rip across your fingers like a chainsaw!

Well as I said I want it for a range of tasks not just one.

So don't want specialization in one area at the expense of another even if it might not be ideal for any given job.

A Jack of all trades.

 

[yoki]

Also need to look cool though. Silky is for boy scouts.

Forget all the shite on youtube, anyone serious about cutting stuff uses Silkys.

I've six of them and I ain't no boy scout!

However, if you just want to go hacking through scrubby stuff you probably don't need a saw anyway.

 

[zero]

Yorkshire billhook is pretty effective..

 

[Andy26]

I think carrying some of the above in a public place or on a third party's property is probably an offence.

 

[yoki]

Catalonian strong billhook No.2

Fully ground simple brush cutting hooks hand produced in Catalonia at the workshops of Cuchillería Pallarès the one surviving knife and tool maker in a town once dotted with small manufacturers. Founded in 1917 by brothers Lluís and Carles Pallarès Canal

www.objectsofuse.com

Need more of a curved blade to cut through brambles etc and will cut through it rather than it ride up the handle and have a dogrose rip across your fingers like a chainsaw!

I think that's the theory of the new design Fiskars brush hook.

Odd looking thing but definitely works and works well, I'll get a shorter handled version as well if my old more traditional shaped version (like the first one I posted) ever breaks, but even after a dozen or so years and having trimmed out many trailer loads of firing it's still going strong.

The one thing about the Fiskars stuff which you can't assess from photos is how light it is, but still incredibly strong.

 

[solo]

An Isaac Nash sickle would be ideal for what you need. There are probably modern equivalents with fold up handles now. Lighter in weight to carry compared to a bill hook. Long handled versions were available which I think are called slashers.

Here’s an alternative option.

Chillington Grass Slasher & Weeder​

 

[SoilHugger]

I think carrying some of the above in a public place or on a third party's property is probably an offence.

All about context though isn't it? Walking about with one on a council estate sure, but walking in the woods and also using it?

Also hence why I said I want it to fit into my rucksack so would only whip it out once ready to use for its intended purpose.

 

[SoilHugger]

Yorkshire billhook is pretty effective..

This one is longer though I think isn't it. Doesn't not fit criteria of fitting in rucksack.

Also what would the second straight blade be used for? Having done some reading about traditional ones this one clear is one of those (as in not a superfluous contemporary gimmick) so what are the traditional uses for that second sided blade?