Turf the shears, we've been doing it wrong for so long
I am in love with my Bush hook. It's the only way to clear weeds that are too big for a whipper snipper, great for general pruning and bird perch collection. It's really good for removing vines and Blackberry, when used as a hook it selectively just pulls the offending items out, you very quickly have a great big pile of vine and it's great for picking it up too. Works very well as an axe as well as a machete, yet it's very light at 450g. Obviously it's not the most ideal tool for felling small trees, but it can do it. It's so efficient at cutting compared to shears or loppers, just a flick of the wrist. You want to swing at about 45 degree to the grain, and the swing needs velocity, not weight. Would be great for taking camping, probably the ultimate survival tool. The tip of the hook is intentionally blunt in just the right spot that you can swing it blindly at a bush with rocks or concrete behind it and not damage the blade, something you would be foolish to attempt with a hatchet. I'm yet to cut myself with it either, the tip of the hook is very forgiving. I reckon it's bigger brother (xa23 I think) would be very useful too, but this little fella is probably bang in the middle of the sweet spot as an all-rounder. Build quality is fantastic too, made in Finland, like my tikka. We'll see how long the Teflon (or something similar perhaps) coating lasts, but while it's still there, there's very little reason to clean or oil the blade. Oh, though the bush hook may be considered too offensive to keep on the shelves at the green shed, it's inoffensive enough to be carrying in suburban Parkland while collecting perches and branches for the birds. Yes, various gangs have ruined machetes for most Australians, but for those of us not looking to do the wrong thing, the bush hook lives on!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
