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Coming to the end of my first year with owning a dog and exploring all the local paths and trails. One thing that's an issue is paths over growing with bramble's/knotweed/nettles etc.
I've been out with a cheapo pair of secateurs snipping and clearing bramble's but it's a bit slow.
Is there a better tool for the job? I always take a small rucksack so can carry something but I don't want anything too whizzy/sharp as I have the dog in close quarters and don't want to take his head off!
Garden shears and/or a grass slasher
I've got one of these. Well, actually I've got 3 I think, they don't last long in hard use so I found a chinese supplier and bought 5...
It's nothing like as good as say a fiskars brush hook or a grass slasher, but being foldy is so useful.
Choppy, choppy.
I’ve got the older, shorter handle version and it’s pretty good fun at chopping stuff.
oh, should probably have read the bit about not chopping the dog’s head off. Is that an essential requirement?
All a bit Freddy Kruger/late night channel4 slasher movie. Some of the paths are urban so I don't want to look 28days later hacking away.
I was wondering if there was a compact large jaw wide opening quick cutting pruning type tool but my googlefu isn't working
We have some telescopic loppers as well as a hand chain and bush saw which all fit in a poachers pocket. Manage to keep most of the local trails tidy with these although we have been told by another local that it could be done more sympathetically.
Fiskars as above, brilliant.
Are you sure it's Japanese knotweed or was that a joke?
If it's Japanese knotweed don't go hacking at it - that will only spread it.
^yep it's Japanese knotweed - there are big swathes of it in Rawtenstall/Rossendale.
Went out again this morning with my small pruners clearing bramble's and pulling up knotweed.
Bought one of NW’s folding, lasted less than 10 minutes of hacking, even got a refund. If someone made a quality version, I’d be up for another. I have a short brush hook, but have enormous envy about that fiskars jobbie, but you do look a bit game of throne with it sticking out of you pack, & your asking for something you won’t chop up the dog. I’m still looking for a good option but wonder if a battery hedge cutter would be a good option but can’t decide if a cheap Lidl/Aldi one would actually be any good in decent thick brush & can’t afford a stihl one
z1ppy
Member
Bought one of NW’s folding, lasted less than 10 minutes of hacking, even got a refund. If someone made a quality version, I’d be up for another.
I'd say on average I get 3 or 4 light sessions out of each one, but you have to be a wee bit careful about what you hack too. I paid about £3.50 each for the last lot but agreed, if I could find a quality equivalent I'd have it. OTOH, I have better tools for full on work, and this one fits in a trail pack no bother.
But remember OP is wanting something portable for light use, which I reckon they cover not too badly.
Where are you disposing that knotweed? It'll spread vigorously and you could be had up by the council. If I were you I'd leave it well alone and contact your local council.
^my mistake, it's Himalayan balsam NOT Japanese knotweed. An email was sent out last by CivicPride mentioning it.
Anyway I think these might be the answer
https://darlac.com/product/dp44-compact-shear/
Secateurs and a Folding Saw here.
...
Pocket Chainsaw
Going to make one after seeing the STW article.
Would of been handy yesterday.
🙂
whats wrong with a sturdy stick?
you arent doing topiary, just bash the worst out the way...
you either use extremely well trodden paths or don't suffer from brambles where you live. 100's of meter of bramble affect single track is not cleared with a sturdy stick
it is if you walk done it regularly like the OP suggests that he does...
bracken is worse round here. trails will start disappearing in a week or two.
^my mistake, it’s Himalayan balsam NOT Japanese knotweed. An email was sent out last by CivicPride mentioning it.
For Himalayan balsam, just pull it out of the ground. Even if they are tall plants, they have very shallow roots. So easy to pull out. Then just snap it in half, to help kill it.
If you cut it, it will just grow back next year.
Hopefully not flowering yet? If it is already flowering, and got seeds on, the seeds should be removed and disposed of. Best to remove it before it has a chance to flower.
I got one of the Fiskars brush hooks for Christmas, only with the shorter mid-length handle. Not used it yet, but when it stops raining I'll head into the local woods.