Did some "brush" (more like saplings) clearing this morning.
Before I took it out I sharpened it at 25 degrees on the Power Sharp. It performed as I needed it to.
Today's blade of choice
- Thread starter hso
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Did some "brush" (more like saplings) clearing this morning.
Before I took it out I sharpened it at 25 degrees on the Power Sharp. It performed as I needed it to.
Armored farmer
Member
Where do you plug it in?
Oh, it must be battery powered.
A sling blade.
Nice.
Oh, it must be battery powered.
A sling blade.
Nice.
whughett
Member
Nice pruning hook. Need me one of them.
OP
OP
This one is a brush/ditch/bank axe. Much sturdier than similar looking tools. I was choppng through wrist sized sapling with a single swing (if properly placed).
A "sling blade" is one of these -
I have a couple and they're handy, but you sure don't want to hit anything bigger around than your pinky finger.
This is my favorite tool for small trees, brush and limbs -
I was excluded from a knife chopping competition because I pulled this out and everyone immediately demanded I switch to something else. Afterward when I came in 5th they wanted to see it go through the paces and it wore everything else out (much to the displeasure of some who had used knives they'd made for the competition).
A "sling blade" is one of these -
I have a couple and they're handy, but you sure don't want to hit anything bigger around than your pinky finger.
This is my favorite tool for small trees, brush and limbs -
I was excluded from a knife chopping competition because I pulled this out and everyone immediately demanded I switch to something else. Afterward when I came in 5th they wanted to see it go through the paces and it wore everything else out (much to the displeasure of some who had used knives they'd made for the competition).
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whughett
Member
Your “sling blade” was known as a “weed whip”. When I was a lad growing up on a farm in Southern Ohio. Some had a corrugated blade. Effective on low weeds. Not so much on the “ horse weeds” that could get taller than a man.
entropy
Member
Also an effective melee weapon; can be used for unhorsing knights and pulling shields down, making room for the spear/swordsman next to you in the shield wall to lunge.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Ah a sling blade. Brings back memories when I worked on a horse ranch part time when I was in the Air Force Stationed in Montgomery AL. Used to walk the fence line every Saturday with one to clear the weeds away from the bottom electric wire. Weeds shorting the wire were easy to pick out by the snapping noise. Used it to kill a snake or two that attacked me. Did a good job making two snakes out of one.
Armored farmer
Member
A "sling blade" is one of these -
...not according to billy bob Thornton...
Regardless of the proper name, a very effective brush tool. I cut wagonloads of thistle from our pastures with one 40 yrs ago. Cut them off, loaded on a barge wagon with a pitchfork, dumped them in a pile to dry, then burned them.
We called it a sling blade.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Whats in a name. Sharpened it is a weeds nightmare.
OP
OP
Both the new one I bought and the 50 year old one have that blade. I don't recall seeing any with a plain edge.
OP
OP
ApacheCoTodd
member
It truly surprises me how often at our horse-property, I'll grab the sling-blade to attend to weed and early brush.
I honestly find it relaxing and in a golf-way rewarding to get the swing juuuust-right. Neighbors, pals, family will all comment as to why I don't fire up equipment or hire in a worker. Both are options and used from time to time but sometimes - I'll look out there and simply not want to bother beyond digging out a sling-blade and maybe running a grinder across it.
Too, damn fine exercise makes me laugh at pals with gym memberships.
Todd.
I honestly find it relaxing and in a golf-way rewarding to get the swing juuuust-right. Neighbors, pals, family will all comment as to why I don't fire up equipment or hire in a worker. Both are options and used from time to time but sometimes - I'll look out there and simply not want to bother beyond digging out a sling-blade and maybe running a grinder across it.
Too, damn fine exercise makes me laugh at pals with gym memberships.
Todd.
Ole Joe Clark
Member
I put in my time with a sling blade, thank you. Way back when I was young and could hold out. Now it's the gas trimmer that about does me in. Takes me two days to get over it.
Have a blessed day,
Leon
Have a blessed day,
Leon
ApacheCoTodd
member
Yup, in the Army it was NOT a relaxing activity but here, on the sunny side of 60 - things just unfold differently.
Todd.
Todd.
I was told that at Fort Leavenworth, prisoners use sling blades all day to make firebreaks. I don't know how long it takes to make a full circuit. They go around the whole base and by the time they've made a full circuit the weeds have grown back up.
Sistema1927
Member
The juxtaposition of ApacheCo Todd and C0untZer0's posts is perfect.
Apache, just how long were you confined at the US Military Disciplinary Barracks?
Apache, just how long were you confined at the US Military Disciplinary Barracks?
ApacheCoTodd
member
Doggone it anyhow..... Outed my own damn self!The juxtaposition of ApacheCo Todd and C0untZer0's posts is perfect.
Apache, just how long were you confined at the US Military Disciplinary Barracks?
Ironically, the only time I ever swung a sling-blade in the Army was *extra-duty*. Punishment of a sort but certainly not Leavenworth.
Todd.
lemaymiami
Member
Last time I ever used a sling blade, believe it or not, was in 1971 while I was in the service and attached to 101 Abn.... I was ordered to trim the grass around the wire where I was and given no other guidance at all. I went to work cutting the grass and weeds until I hit a trip wire... Fortunately for me it was only to a flare (there were lots and lots of other possibilities along that perimeter...). You can bet I puckered up badly after hearing that small "pop" until I realized I'd only popped a flare.... I was very glad not to get that job ever again...
I was only a pencil pusher way back then - not a combat type at all so I knew next to nothing about just how the perimeter was set up. Fortunately in that time and place (just after the Marines up north of us had left to go home...) we only got the occasional mortar or rocket fire harassment in rear areas so I never learned things I should have... Like most of my better stories - I was a lot younger then....
I was only a pencil pusher way back then - not a combat type at all so I knew next to nothing about just how the perimeter was set up. Fortunately in that time and place (just after the Marines up north of us had left to go home...) we only got the occasional mortar or rocket fire harassment in rear areas so I never learned things I should have... Like most of my better stories - I was a lot younger then....
FL-NC
Member
I remember walking along the roads on Ft Benning in basic training with a sling blade taking out weeds. I "inherited" one from my late father-in-law, and it comes in handy from time to time.
OP
OP
Had to up the game to Shihl chainsaw today after severe weather hit at 0530.
Half a dozen trees down and one was across the driveway. Fortunately they all fell away from the house and porches.
4 tanks of mix later and the driveway is cleaned up.
Half a dozen trees down and one was across the driveway. Fortunately they all fell away from the house and porches.
4 tanks of mix later and the driveway is cleaned up.
Jesse Heywood
Member
Never heard one called a sling blade. Around here they were called Idiot Sticks. I have one, but have been smart enough not to use it in the last 25 years.
kBob
Member
… also called a busy boy. there is one right next to the back door (my teenaged son loathes it) . worked the summer after HS on a Corps of Engineers contract around Lake Seminole clearing right of ways and parks and a sling blade busy boy and a brush axe for the heavier stuff were my constant companions.
Lost twenty five pounds that summer. And yes a pair of Cotton mouths lost their minds to my tools. don't want to hear about leaving snakes alone as they were with in sling blade range when noticed and aggitatied.
-kBob
Lost twenty five pounds that summer. And yes a pair of Cotton mouths lost their minds to my tools. don't want to hear about leaving snakes alone as they were with in sling blade range when noticed and aggitatied.
-kBob
lemaymiami
Member
Working the brush anywhere in Florida during summer is a tough job any way you look at it... Everything in those kinds of places reminds me of just why the natives in the early 1800's up your way were never defeated by Uncle Sam and his marching band...
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