Excellent trail and brush clearing tool

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RR

....glutton for punishment.....
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This is an excellent and well made tool. Those with some familiarity with Japanese and Okinawan martial arts will be familiar with the design. This long handled sickle is light and fast and zips through briars and lightweight brush that a heavier machete just pushes. Handles small limbs and trees as well. The handle is long enough to keep your hands out of the thorns but not so much to be unwieldy.

My one criticism is that the handle is a little slick and could use a strip or two of grip tape. It has a lanyard hole. Use it....

Zenport K315 Brush Clearing Sickle, 9-Inch by 14.5-Inch, Carbon Steel Blade/Aluminum Handle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UFCUNM...abc_M1P9EBMHD8S27N7PTMNX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
This is an excellent and well made tool. Those with some familiarity with Japanese and Okinawan martial arts will be familiar with the design. This long handled sickle is light and fast and zips through briars and lightweight brush that a heavier machete just pushes. Handles small limbs and trees as well. The handle is long enough to keep your hands out of the thorns but not so much to be unwieldy.

My one criticism is that the handle is a little slick and could use a strip or two of grip tape. It has a lanyard hole. Use it....

Zenport K315 Brush Clearing Sickle, 9-Inch by 14.5-Inch, Carbon Steel Blade/Aluminum Handle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UFCUNM...abc_M1P9EBMHD8S27N7PTMNX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
The reviews mention that right handed people need to swing it backhanded, from left to right...is that what you found?
 
I gave my first one away.

The soil scientist we hired to survey our land for future septic system had a marbles machete. A nice machete in its own right. But the blackberry thicket we were trying to cut trails through was just being pushed by his blade. I said "here try this." After a couple swings he was like "where did you get this?"

I told him but also just gave it to him at the end of the day. Along with the blade cover I made for it. He was a nice fellow and I'd put him through some hell in those briars.

I need to make covers for the two I've bought since.
 
Verry cool! I ordered two for our Farm, and I will make leather scabbards for 'em... we have acres of weeds that can't be bushhogged due to stuff hidden in the weeds, like brick piles and such.
 
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This is what I prefer for the clearing and bush hogging around the house. Its a 1940s design that lasted until the 70s when it got revamped to conform to OSHA standards.

This model, Gravely L, has a 6.6hp engine and a 36 inch bush hog. Even the manual states "be careful, id it can push it down, it will cut it. This includes you too" .
 
View attachment 394888

This is what I prefer for the clearing and bush hogging around the house. Its a 1940s design that lasted until the 70s when it got revamped to conform to OSHA standards.

This model, Gravely L, has a 6.6hp engine and a 36 inch bush hog. Even the manual states "be careful, id it can push it down, it will cut it. This includes you too" .
I need one of these lol.

But this spring I'm having someone come in and do some forestry mulching to get rid of the biggest briar thicker and small trees intertwined with it.
 
I need one of these lol.

But this spring I'm having someone come in and do some forestry mulching to get rid of the biggest briar thicker and small trees intertwined with it.
A friend might still have one or more of those Gravelys, along with one that has a 36” heavy duty sickle bar.
 
A friend might still have one or more of those Gravelys, along with one that has a 36” heavy duty sickle bar.
I would love to find a sickle bar mower, especially one I could stand or sit on. By the time I get around to mowing the part of the pasture that's been waiting the longest (6mo or so) its 6-8ft high. Currently I pull a self powered bushog but it's slow going and I don't care about mulching it, I'd rather just cut it down and let it lie.
 
They’re only @ ~$15 if we do a group buy of a dozen, although currently OOS.
 
That any self respecting wannabe redneck could rig up to their ATV with judicious use of coat hangers and duct tape. 👍
That any self respecting wannabe redneck could rig up to their ATV with judicious use of coat hangers and duct tape. 👍
Que up the Canuk redneck
 
RR found slicing and dicing his way through the Haw river swamps.........



Had two kama with my other gear that got stolen at the Y several years ago. I hope the bastage sliced his neck playing with them.
 
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RR found slicing and dicing his way through the Haw river swamps.........



Had two kama with my other gear that got stolen at the Y several years ago. I hope the bastage sliced his neck playing with them.

I see Cole excelled in his HS drama class.
 
I would love to find a sickle bar mower, especially one I could stand or sit on. By the time I get around to mowing the part of the pasture that's been waiting the longest (6mo or so) its 6-8ft high. Currently I pull a self powered bushog but it's slow going and I don't care about mulching it, I'd rather just cut it down and let it lie.

There is a shop over in Hillsborough that has a lot of these old gravely and the attachments that goes with them. Its right off 86N behind the Quickie Mart. Pull in and talk with him about what you got and what you need. He will get you set up.
 
I need one of these lol.

But this spring I'm having someone come in and do some forestry mulching to get rid of the biggest briar thicker and small trees intertwined with it.
Thats what I used mine for. Reclaiming some land for use. It was full of black berry Brian's and hardwood saplings. The gravely and bush hog ate it all up.
 
I need one of these lol.

But this spring I'm having someone come in and do some forestry mulching to get rid of the biggest briar thicker and small trees intertwined with it.

I'd love to have a Bobcat with the stump grinder attachment. If I had Property it would be a must.
 
I'd love to have a Bobcat with the stump grinder attachment. If I had Property it would be a must.
Yeah once we relocate up there I will have one. I just don't wanna drag it back and forth. Don't have the towing or trailer capacity for that at the moment.
 
I usually carry one of these in the woods.

View attachment 394921

People don't get as worried as they do when they see you with a machete.
I’ve had one of those before, lost it on some trails up around Asheville. Didn’t realize my 4 wheeler pack opened up. It worked really well, however I would like to see it with a longer handle. Thanks @RR going give one these a try.
 
Another hand held but mechanical option....

DEWALT 20V MAX Hedge Trimmer, Tool Only (DCPH820B) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086D882F5/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_FF5AVM94HJD5NW0CACAY

The hedge trimmer head on this can be angled. It's a pretty good tool for cutting briars and brush off at the ground. Doesn't work well on small trees but makes short work of briars.
That might be a lot lighter than my 6' Stihl. I clear brush with a 10" carbide tooth tablesaw blade on my gas powered trimmer. It makes short work on anything 2" and smaller. I also don't need to worry about ruining a chainsaw or trimmer blade if ground contact is made. The blades are $13 on line.
 
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