Author Topic: Best practice for cutting brambles  (Read 2301 times)

Best practice for cutting brambles
« on: 16 August, 2023, 01:55:16 pm »
I'm going to have to trim swathes of brambles soon. Not a task I'm looking forward to, but there you go.


What are the best hand or power tools for tackling the blighters?


What PPE offers the best protection?


Budget relatively high, although paying someone else to do it isn't an option, unfortunately.
Haggerty F, Haggerty R, Tomkins, Noble, Carrick, Robson, Crapper, Dewhurst, Macintyre, Treadmore, Davitt.


Kim

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Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #2 on: 16 August, 2023, 02:35:17 pm »
When I de-brambled our back garden, I used loppers to swash-buckle my way to the base of the stems and sever them in situ.  Left it for a couple of weeks so it could dry out, then round it up and burn it (which didn't take long).  Life's too short for stuffing brambles/nettles into council-issue green waste bags.

Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #3 on: 16 August, 2023, 02:39:57 pm »
A brush hook or slasher can be quicker for clearing lots of it.
I have this Fiskars brush hook. https://www.fiskars.com/en-gb/gardening/products/axes-forestry-tools/woodxpert-brush-hook-xa3-1003609

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #4 on: 16 August, 2023, 03:04:46 pm »
A sickle is best as it slashes them and hooks the bits up into a pile.

They burn really well, even when green.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #5 on: 16 August, 2023, 03:18:54 pm »
Thanks everyone.

A brush hook or slasher can be quicker for clearing lots of it.
I have this Fiskars brush hook. https://www.fiskars.com/en-gb/gardening/products/axes-forestry-tools/woodxpert-brush-hook-xa3-1003609

That looks very useful. I'll see if I can get approval. One issue is Amazon describe it as a machete, which won't get approved, but B&Q call it a brush hook, so I'll go for that.

Are there any overalls that are rip-resistant without causing an inside-out sauna?
Haggerty F, Haggerty R, Tomkins, Noble, Carrick, Robson, Crapper, Dewhurst, Macintyre, Treadmore, Davitt.

Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #6 on: 16 August, 2023, 03:24:12 pm »
I bought this to protect me from glass when demolishing a greenhouse.   It's been in the cupboard ever since.   PM me an address & I'll stick it in the post.  Combine with some boots & long gloves or gauntlets.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WC32TQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title
Not fast & rarely furious

tweeting occasional in(s)anities as andrewxclark

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #7 on: 16 August, 2023, 05:23:32 pm »
I have an electric tree-lopper (small chainsaw on a pole) that I was planning to use back in June when my TIA interrupted things.  I also have a brushcutter with a disc that should serve fairly well.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #8 on: 16 August, 2023, 08:38:12 pm »
A brush hook or slasher can be quicker for clearing lots of it.
I have this Fiskars brush hook. https://www.fiskars.com/en-gb/gardening/products/axes-forestry-tools/woodxpert-brush-hook-xa3-1003609

I have one, given to me by son who keeps off road cycling routes open. It's excellent and comes with a plastic shield which is helpful when walking through the village.

Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #9 on: 16 August, 2023, 08:59:35 pm »
Gloves wise I'll echo the gauntlets. Can get a set of welding or log burner gauntlets for well under a tenner and are brilliant for such work.

Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #10 on: 30 August, 2023, 10:19:12 pm »
Nuking from orbit, or at least a flamethrower, tempt me, but not really practical.

Loppers are good for bringing them down. The further away you can stand while cutting 'em down the better.

As said, thorn resistant gloves are a very good idea.
"A woman on a bicycle has all the world before her where to choose; she can go where she will, no man hindering." The Type-Writer Girl, 1897

Regulator

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Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #11 on: 31 August, 2023, 04:39:24 pm »
I bought this to protect me from glass when demolishing a greenhouse.   It's been in the cupboard ever since.   PM me an address & I'll stick it in the post.  Combine with some boots & long gloves or gauntlets.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WC32TQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

I'm sure I've seen that in the darkroom of a dodgy Liverpool pub...   ;D
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I completely agree with Reg.

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Re: Best practice for cutting brambles
« Reply #12 on: 31 August, 2023, 10:18:30 pm »
I bought this to protect me from glass when demolishing a greenhouse.   It's been in the cupboard ever since.   PM me an address & I'll stick it in the post.  Combine with some boots & long gloves or gauntlets.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07WC32TQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

I'm sure I've seen that in the darkroom of a dodgy Liverpool pub...   :-D


The Curzon closed down ages ago !   
Not fast & rarely furious

tweeting occasional in(s)anities as andrewxclark