Brush axe (Swedish) use one?

[BiG Boar]

Does anyone here use a surveyors brush axe? They apparently work great for cutting trail. I'm thinking of getting one. Google images if you don't know what Im talking about. Also, which style of brush axe works best is my question.

Apparently way better than a machete.

[.300WSMImpact!]

i have a problem, everytime I see a sweade saw at a garage sale or used I have to buy it, I own 4 or 5 of them, they work great and I think everyone needs to have one in the quad

[Salty]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYBmAn3PE8jY4gydXlbf2scTF9Z7Zq1 PyJh8C0El5cymmn5W9yZA

Had to google brush axe to see for sure what you meant. We just called them sandviks, kind of like Kleenex. As a surveyor building the rail road in to tumber ridge around 1980 for hand tools we had the choice of machetes, sandviks and 2 1/2 pound boys's axes. Spent maybe an hour with a machete (sp?) Months on end daily with the axe needing to pound stakes in but found the brush axe you speak of the most usefull hand tool for clearing brush for survey lines, helicopter pads, etc.

[BromBones]

Yep, they work pretty good. Pick one up and give it a try, you'll like them. I still prefer my 24'' machete and my ox-head axe though, can do a lot more using both.

[longstonec]

they work great, hacked many a mile through salal just for fun

[wos]

buy a Gransfors Brurks hunter axe or forest axe and don't bother playing with toys. Its a real tool that will last a lifetime and hold an edge almost as long.

[rides bike to work]

I can't see that being better than a machete. I've cut a lot of trail in Costa Rica and bc. Can't see getting through black berries with the Swedish axe if that pic is accurate. I can cut through a 4" alder with a single swipe with a well sharpened machete.

[BiG Boar]

buy a Gransfors Brurks hunter axe or forest axe and don't bother playing with toys. Its a real tool that will last a lifetime and hold an edge almost as long.

Is that good for clearing alders from an old road?

[TheProvider]

I always use them. You wont be disappointed

[wos]

[QUOTE]Is that good for clearing alders from an old road? [/QUOTE
If they are small saplings not so great. 3" or bigger the way to go.

[BimmerBob]

Is that good for clearing alders from an old road?

Not if you value the edge of your axe it isn't. The Sandviks work great for clearing up crap in rocks where you can sometimes (quite often it seems) hit a rock or two. The blades are easily replaced in the field and can be resharpened when you get home. I would never use any of my quality axes to clear to the ground, but I guess some would...

[houndogger]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQYBmAn3PE8jY4gydXlbf2scTF9Z7Zq1 PyJh8C0El5cymmn5W9yZA

Had to google brush axe to see for sure what you meant. We just called them sandviks, kind of like Kleenex. As a surveyor building the rail road in to tumber ridge around 1980 for hand tools we had the choice of machetes, sandviks and 2 1/2 pound boys's axes. Spent maybe an hour with a machete (sp?) Months on end daily with the axe needing to pound stakes in but found the brush axe you speak of the most usefull hand tool for clearing brush for survey lines, helicopter pads, etc.
Yes I have one very great tool!

[Colinofthewoods]

I have also heard them called a " D " axe. My favorite for bushwacking.

I think lee valley sells them .

[bighornbob]

This is all you need, a Woodsman Pal. Standard issue for the US military from WWII to Desert Storm. I love mine.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=65248&cat=2,45794

http://www.woodmanspal.com/sc_images/file/field-and-stream.pdf

Bhb

[Gateholio]

They work good in thier limited application, not as versatile as a axe or machete though. FOr clearing alders a good pair of shears works great too. If you get the ones with the gears on them you can cut through amazingly thick stuff without much effort.

[XMD70]

I hope you're young and strong. After a few days with one of those tools you'll look like Popeye.

[358mag]

Is that good for clearing alders from an old road?
This works real good on alders on a old overgrown road
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/land-clearing/259502d1333754244-bobcat-forestry-cutter-s-img00325-20120406-1248.jpg (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=sMTUKc2p02Z7IM&tbnid=2TIb7wVFQ-qFcM:&ved=0CAgQjRwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tractorbynet.com%2Fforums%2Fl and-clearing%2F236573-bobcat-forestry-cutter-s-2.html&ei=Ypa4UenXN6mliQKmxIGgDQ&psig=AFQjCNEgN-pcp7DuVcrYcP5aezrUl70rgA&ust=1371138018969041)

[bigslim]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-ivbwE5oFGwZPjM_BN-CF0Y5lj9gAUXsuZCdoixleqJAAHW9WOQhere is my go to bush clearer, a little bigger but much better for alders ect.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/Images/Sokkia-Surveying-Equipment-Surveyor-Instruments/ES2283-Sokkia-Surveyor-Bush-Hook-813010-md.jpg

[358mag]

here is my go to bush clearer, a little bigger but much better for alders ect.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/Images/Sokkia-Surveying-Equipment-Surveyor-Instruments/ES2283-Sokkia-Surveyor-Bush-Hook-813010-md.jpg
????? no picture showing

[Clint_S]

Get a Gerber or Fiskars Brush hook.

It is the only tool for the job and I've swung Iltis ox heads, Sandviks, Machetes for 25 years and have worn out one elbow joint.

They are light, safe and very efficient. They will do the work of an axe at 1/3 the weight and are awesome in alder.

[BernDawg]

Keep one of each in the truck.
http://www2.fiskars.com/var/fiskars_amer/storage/images/frontpage2/gardening-and-yard-care/products/axes-and-striking-tools/brush-axe/3593-8-eng-US/Brush-Axe.jpg
http://strument.com.ua/published/publicdata/STRUMENTSTRUM/attachments/SC/products_pictures/fiskars-siekiera-uniwers_2272_enl.jpg

[Gateholio]

A Husquvarna or Stihl brush cutter really works the best, of course. :)

[Salty]

The sandvik brush axe is best for just that, brush. If its alders in your way I'd be down with hacking them down with a sandvik up to two inches thick or so. After that I'd switch to an axe. As Gate says too don't underestimate heavy duty pruning shears for clearing stuff. We've got a set that my wife bought for commercial pruning work years ago. Some Swedish brand can't remember but its got about 30" handles and will slice through about a 3" young tree like **** all if they're kept sharp. But I must say my 33" bar Husqvarna chain saw leaves all this stuff in the dust :mrgreen:

[Bowzone_Mikey]

spent some time recently clearing trails and shot lines with one ... first time i used one ... I am buying one along with a Pulaski forester axe ... handy as hell those things are

[cdnshooter13]

A HUSQVARNA brush cutter really works the best, of course. :)


Fixed that for ya;)

[Gateholio]

The sandvik brush axe is best for just that, brush. If its alders in your way I'd be down with hacking them down with a sandvik up to two inches thick or so. After that I'd switch to an axe. As Gate says too don't underestimate heavy duty pruning shears for clearing stuff. We've got a set that my wife bought for commercial pruning work years ago. Some Swedish brand can't remember but its got about 30" handles and will slice through about a 3" young tree like **** all if they're kept sharp. But I must say my 33" bar Husqvarna chain saw leaves all this stuff in the dust :mrgreen:

Yeah, The Girl picked up some of these modern shears a year or 2 ago, and I was amazed. The gears/camming action works incredibly well, exerting force well beyond just regular shear cutting power. I've been truly impressed. But yeah, the saw or the brush cutter with the saw wheel gets grabbed if I need to do anything substantial. :)

[Johnny G1]

Government donated a Sanvik to me back in the early 70s, best bloody tool made and still hangs in my shop today. Greatest brush tool ever made.

[CSG]

Big Boar,

What did you end up getting?
How did it work for the stuff you were cutting?
Would you recommend one?

[geologist]

A Sandvik is way better tan any Axe for brushing back alders and such. The light sharp head let's you swing with high speed and low fatigue. If the trees are bigger than 4" they don't work.

I find the blades are easier to come lose when it's cold, like -20c or colder. If you lose your blade and don't have a spare you're hooped.

I also like to give the green guys Sandviks. They can still cut themselves but the wound won't be as bad as a 3 lb Axe.

[boxhitch]

3 lb axe ? you are cruel !
A spare blade and of course a small raker file for touch ups , mandatory

[TyTy]

Yep, they work pretty good. Pick one up and give it a try, you'll like them. I still prefer my 24'' machete and my ox-head axe though, can do a lot more using both.


i agree. its lighter which is nice, but i found that it was cumbersome if your swing wasnt perfect, the head getts drag from brush. i thought the blade was a bit light duty too. id prefere small axe, machette, bring a file

[Shuswap guy]

I've used a sandvik for brush clearing and quickly used something more effective. Just my 2 cents.

[ursusbait]

Every tool has it's place. Sandviks are very good at brush and for newbies as mentioned. They are not very versatile. The fiskars brush axe is the same, good at brush but not versatile. Buy the tool you need and take more than one. Lots of room in the truck......

[Squamch]

Get a Gerber or Fiskars Brush hook.

It is the only tool for the job and I've swung Iltis ox heads, Sandviks, Machetes for 25 years and have worn out one elbow joint.

They are light, safe and very efficient. They will do the work of an axe at 1/3 the weight and are awesome in alder.


BINGO!

put a wrist strap on it and you barely even need to grip it, I've cut 6" alder trees, alder sprouts, blackberries, and everything in between with it. Also, if you're buying one....find someone to hook ya up with an employee discount. Mine was $12 instead of $40....there's a small markup on fiskars tools.