PDLPegdev - Carters Premium Long Handle Ring Bolt Brushing Tool - 16" Head with 36" Hickory Handle for Bushes, Weed, Hedgerows, and Undergrowth.

Yes, you do need to sharpen when you get it, you want it sharp like a knife especially on the crook-bend of the blade. That first sharpening will take a good while with hand tools.It's a lovely tool, suitable for weaving symphonies of destruction through the dawn landscape, and when it's wicked sharp it can do more different pruning / clipping tasks, to a rough'n'ready standard - the rose hedge won't know the difference, and it can tidy small tree branches overhead

Does what it says but a bit heavy.

Russian Vine: After initial attempts with loppers, a hedge trimmer and chainsaw - I decided I needed something weighty and sharp to cut as well as hook out cuttings and heavier stubborn pieces. I realised a machete would just be hard work!The Tool:Initial inspection gave a good first impression. - Hickory handle (which could be replaced if necessary at a later date) - Handle is securely attached to a heavy blade - 4mm steel blade ground to an edge - blade is welded securely to the head/boss - Made In the UKI could see the blade had a ground edge which could be improved but gave it a go first to see how it performed. Not disappointed as it worked well at hooking out growth that had already been cut and was very good working at ground level. Cutting was limited (Russian Vine is tough) and I realised it definitely needed to be sharpened to get a better edge.The blade has been ground but needs some work with with a half round file followed by a round carbarundum stone (edge wavered and was flat in one section). I'm in the process of doing this and anticipate it will work well with a good edge and last many years - will report back if any unforeseen issue arisePleased with what is a quality tool

Ok but a little heavy and could be sharper

Unless you are very good with a file and willing to give 2 hours work to properly sharpen it do not buy. It is not fit for purpose out of the box

When I received this (promptly), the handle was rough & the blade blunt. I smoothed the handle and coated it with several coats of varnish until it was smooth as silk. This made it comfortable to swing when using and reduced the chance of blisters. The blade took about 30 mins to sharpen sufficiently to cut paper, bit was worth it to make brush cutting easier. Maybe spent 2-3 hours improving this to a standard I felt acceptable for me!

This may well be the perfect hand tool for tackling heavy undergrowth, it's certainly the best I've used. It is sharp, nicely weighted and well balanced. This means that you can slash away and make significant progress in a relatively short time. Like most of these tools you use a sort of golf swing to slash at the growth you want to obliterate. The cutting head isn't too large so is less likely to get clogged up in the undergrowth than the standard scythettes you can buy. Also, if it does get clogged you turn the cutting edge towards you and pull it free - it cuts its way free and gets rid of more weeds as it does so.The other thing is that it's fun and good exercise which also achieves something.

This is a very good scythe, as with all these things you'll need a whetstone and to sharpen before use, but it is a good weight, easy to heft and does a good job of clearing the scrub. My only concern and the reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is the wooden handle hasnt been treated and i have gotten a couple of splinters from it, which is a shame.