Greetings all - Machetes, axes, clearing foot paths?

[TLM]

Read the starting post again. In my opinion a machete is not the tool to use when trying to cut an actual tree trunk lets say over 15cm dia.

An axe, chainsaw, bowsaw all work much better. Even TNT is easier (used that in the army, the result is not pretty but not much effort used).

 

[GuestD]

If you really want to do this kind of thing why not volunteer with the local Wildlife Trust who will have regular working parties going out clearing paths and hedgerows to/on their reserves - you'd get to use a variety of tools on different materials and, I suspect, learn a lot.

May differ depending on area, but I do my work through the Countryside Ranger Service.

 

[Oliver G]

There's a birch wooded area where I walk the dog most nights and if it's been windy we tend to get a lot of tree fall. I tend to keep a little bacho laplander (silky saw type affair) on me, it fits nicely in your map pocket on breast pocket. it's ideal for anything smaller than 10".

My partner is the ranger who looks after the woodland (county council land) so i figure if I clear the path at night it saves her time the next day and keeps the public from complaining.

I did once forget my saw and sorted a tree out with an entrenching tool; that took a while, but it did chop through.

I would council against carrying a machete in public, too many people jump to conclusions and you could save both yourself and them from unnecessary stress if they decide to call the authorities.

 

[Woody girl]

I agree with Oliver G. A pocket saw is fine for most smaller stuff quite often quicker and neater and less likely to cause concern from others.
Does nobody use bill hooks anymore?
I've cleared many a path or bit of woodland with a bill hook and bowsaw. Looks much more professional and less likely to raise people's anxiety levels than a machete, and the resulting legal battles should someone take fright with your antics.
We don't want bushcrafters getting a bad name now do we?

 

[Oliver G]

I bought my partner a bill hook for her birthday last year, she was hunting for a Yorkshire pattern with a one / two handed handle and I got one made for her. She only uses it when in uniform though so it causes no concern for the public, if I was milling around with it there would understandably be questions.

Edited: one / two handed, the word I used was blanked out.

 

[Janne]

Are you joking,trolling, or just being provocative?
A private woodland with permission is one thing. But a public footpath with what is classed nowadays as a weapon ie fixed blade over 3" long ?? I'm not going to walk up to a man and ask what he's doing. Is he just clearing a footpath or taking his frustration with something out on a log with the possibility he might turn it on me! Yes I would make that call. If he's legit then no worries. If he's not......I may well stop someone else getting seriously hurt or worse. What a stupid comment!!!!

Not at all, but your previous comment that you would call 999 was a bit weird?
You, (and the rest of us) should be more understandable than the average if we saw somebody 'carrying' ? No?

 

[Janne]

Must admit, If I was walking in a wood and saw someone swinging a machete I'd be straight on the mobile phone 999... no questions asked of the chap swinging the machete!

This. Surely you do not mean that??
Somebody clearing a footpath with a machete?

 

[Woody girl]

Not at all, but your previous comment that you would call 999 was a bit weird?
You, (and the rest of us) should be more understandable than the average if we saw somebody 'carrying' ? No?

So I'm a bit weird... deal with it!
As for being a bit more understanding.... seriously?

 

[Woody girl]

This. Surely you do not mean that??
Somebody clearing a footpath with a machete?

Why would I not mean what I say?
I'm not in the habit of spouting rubbish for the sake of getting my post count up.

 

[C_Claycomb]

Deep breath and cool off, please.

I think Woody girl has provided a very timely and pertinent reminder of the risks of practising bushcraft, particularly with cutting tools, where you do not have permission. Even in the farthest flung corners of the country you cannot be certain that you have not been quietly observed and reported to police.

Once upon a time, for someone to report you they would have had to physically go home to make a call, by which time you would be somewhere else. Now they can call the police, provide a sat-nav grid reference and take your photo.

I was thinking, there is a strange similarity to how people once viewed large predators in the UK, and North America too. They were afraid of them so they killed them. They didn't wait around to see if the bear was only interested in eating roots and berries, or the wolf was looking for deer, not lambs and toddlers.

 

[Janne]

I joined up to ask a question: I currently have what believe to be grass machete from Amazon, technically it's my brother's but he moved to Scotland. The other day I was in the local woodland with it and attempted to cut into a tree that had fallen across the footpath, after what seemed like an hour with rests I managed to make it about 2 inches into the substantial trunk.

I wasn't aware before doing some research that there were grass machetes and chopping machetes, hence my assumption that I have the wrong sort.

So would it be better to buy a chopping machete (what with the hysteria over knife crime ATM) or buy a chopping axe? Which might seem less threatening to dog walkers and such as I'm just trying to do something good for the community in clearing the footpath.

I think a normal person might just call the local council but it's not the first time this has happened and using my small silky saw I've previously managed to clear a small tree off the path by sawing out wedges until I could just saw through it, which was much more satisfying!

Just so you have some idea of my background, I've been collecting firewood for a log burner in our house using chainsaws, a hydraulic log splitter, a splitting maul and a small splitting axe for kindling for probably over 20 years.

However this doesn't mean I know anything about bushcraft items for chopping or crafting wood, so do you have any guidance on where to obtain reliable reasonably priced chopping gear for say 60-100 squids?

Ok, if I go back on track:

I have two Machetes, Brazilian Tramontina. Slightly different length, same overall shape, different handles.
I also have two billhooks, a modern Fiskars, and an old Marttiini.

Both machetes are made from quite thin steel, soft-ish. Flexible.
The billhooks are much stiffer. Have a greater angle, and much better steel

But - your choice!

The machetes are fine cutting twigs, bamboo, soft stems like banana. Anything more than 4 cm or so is very difficult, imo Also as the steel is soft, they blunt rapidly.
The billhooks are superior in everything, except bananas.

The guys that do my garden all use machetes, and if any thicker branches need to be taken down, they have to hack away like mad. And I have to go back and tidy up the cut with a saw, and wax.

It can be the skill set/level, but if a machete was any good (better than) a billhook, we would use more of them in Europe?

I used to clear the footpaths around where I lived in UK, mainly from intruding brambles ( had two Cocker Spaniels, their hair and brambles do not mix) and I found that a billhook was excellent. The 'hook' part was useful in pulling out the bramble lianas, and the angle and stiffness was perfect.

 

[Toddy]

Well I used a Martindale machete to clear the nettles along the path beside the burn, and a dog walking neighbour looked at me with horror.
So, I put it away and I found a sickle instead. (Known as a heuk around here) and not another soul commented apart to make conversation about how the council used to have enough money to be able to do this.....

https://www.machetespecialists.com/filter/brand/martindale/

Buy and use something innocuous, something that looks 'gardening' and no one will bother you.

M

 

[Broch]

Well I used a Martindale machete to clear the nettles along the path beside the burn, and a dog walking neighbour looked at me with horror.
So, I put it away and I found a sickle instead. (Known as a heuk around here) and not another soul commented apart to make conversation about how the council used to have enough money to be able to do this.....

https://www.machetespecialists.com/filter/brand/martindale/

Buy and use something innocuous, something that looks 'gardening' and no one will bother you.

M

I have one of their grass slashers - works a treat

However, I suspect that even if you were using a traditional billhook let alone a machete on a 'substantial tree trunk' you'd get some funny looks - it would look a bit manic I suspect.

 

[Toddy]

I have one of their grass slashers - works a treat

However, I suspect that even if you were using a traditional billhook let alone a machete on a 'substantial tree trunk' you'd get some funny looks - it would look a bit manic I suspect.

It certainly would
I took out a bowsaw and one of the little Laplander (those are absolutely bomb proof tools, and they do an excellent job) saws (and a pair of ratchet pruners) to clear the path of a fallen Ash tree. No fuss, no bother, and no suspicious or worried looks either.
A folding bowsaw packs neatly into a pack, and the laplander is really easy to carry.

 

[GuestD]

Buy and use something innocuous, something that looks 'gardening' and no one will bother you.

like this,

 

[santaman2000]

So I'm a bit weird... deal with it!
As for being a bit more understanding.... seriously?

Yes. Seriously.

 

[GuestD]

I suppose the D@ily Mail take would be;

"woods in lock down after pensioner spotted with blade,"

Or, "Grim Reaper spotted in local woods,"

 

[Tiley]

I have never owned a machete but always understood them to be specifically useful for clearing foliage and thin plant material in rain forest/jungle environments.

At home, I find that a parang is a very good tool for clearing established brambles and small-ish wood. I suppose it's a bit like a billhook but with a better blade shape for the cutting action required to get the job done. The steel on the blades tends to be a bit thicker than a machete, meaning there's a bit more weight behind your cutting strokes; the blades tend to be a bit shorter, too, making them easier and safer to wield.

That said, my sheep do a pretty comprehensive job of clearing things but they do take their time!

 

[Jared]

For path clearing of bramble and the like, nothing beats a slasher. My personal favourite is the Irish Double Edge.
http://www.bulldogtools.co.uk/products/farming/cutting-tools/premier/irish-double-edge-slasher/
Billhooks and machetes are too short handled.

Now if don't have permission to do the work, then saw and loppers will get you in the least of trouble.

 

[Janne]

Might be a stupid question: Who owns a footpath/bridleway/green lane?
The state? The county?