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  #1  
Old 11-11-2015, 03:57 PM
Cpurdy Cpurdy is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1
Exclamation Hand tool preferences

Hello,

I am a college student working on a cooperative project that is examining the use of hand tools and adaptations to different markets. Through this project we have the potential to work with tool production companies in order to better serve user needs. As a group we have decided to focus on improving tools for trail maintaince, brush clearing, food plot management, and other labor intensive land management activities. We are in need of some input from the outdoorsman community. Any information you can provide would be extremely helpful. Here are some guideline questions but feel free to elaborate. Thank you for your time.

What tools do you use most often?
Where do you use them?
How do you transport your tools to the work area?
What qualities do you look for when purchasing or using a tool?
Is there a job that you do where a tool could be better adapted or improved?
Is there a job that could be done easier if a new tool was invented?
How important is portability of these tools?
Do you have specific brands you buy over and over? If so what do you like about those brands?
Any addition information about problems you are experiencing or possible improvements to existing tools would also be appreciated.
Thank you for your time
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  #2  
Old 11-11-2015, 04:18 PM
KWO KWO is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 932
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Note that I do not use hand tools to make a living, just for outdoors hobbies. Others may have better feedback, but here is mine.

Specific to hand tools, they have always been around so I am not sure anyone will come up with a need for something that doesn't already exist, unless they are doing something very specialized.

When I do experience an issue with a hand tool, it is always related to quality vs functionality. If it is a functionality issue, then I simply don't have the right tool.
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  #3  
Old 11-11-2015, 04:46 PM
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catnthehat catnthehat is offline
 
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Location: Ft. McMurray
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Made my living in heavy construction for over 40 years now.

I'm not brand loyal, but I look for good ergonomics and quality.
tools I use most these days are at the lake are chainsaws, cant hooks, axes and rigging equipment.
At home I use all kinds of wood working tools.
I use either a carpenter's apron or a commercially made carry all for packing them around.
Cat
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  #4  
Old 11-11-2015, 05:22 PM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
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For the scope of your study ( brush maintenance, plot maintenance, trail clearing, etc... ) the best tools are the ones that you will use ......

A gas weed eater, with 2 sturdy stings with lots of power. The weight is not an issue in a properly balanced harness and the handles in the right places that are adjustable. This is a tool where more is better.

http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/products/345fr/


A light / mid weight chainsaw 14"-16" bar that's easy to start and not finicky.

http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/products/chainsaws/450/


Long Handle anvil type sheers. Quality is paramount here - handles must be long (or telescoping), strong and comfortable and the head should cut up to a 1" with little effort.

http://www.fiskars.ca/Products/Yard-...opper-27-37-in

A good pick with a heavy head with both a flat head and pick side for getting at the roots.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Garden/p...578,40769&ap=1

Those are a few of my favorites.
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  #5  
Old 11-11-2015, 06:48 PM
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Knownonscents Knownonscents is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Cowtown
Posts: 806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZM View Post
For the scope of your study ( brush maintenance, plot maintenance, trail clearing, etc... ) the best tools are the ones that you will use ......

A gas weed eater, with 2 sturdy stings with lots of power. The weight is not an issue in a properly balanced harness and the handles in the right places that are adjustable. This is a tool where more is better.

http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/products/345fr/


A light / mid weight chainsaw 14"-16" bar that's easy to start and not finicky.

http://www.husqvarna.com/ca/en/products/chainsaws/450/


Long Handle anvil type sheers. Quality is paramount here - handles must be long (or telescoping), strong and comfortable and the head should cut up to a 1" with little effort.

http://www.fiskars.ca/Products/Yard-...opper-27-37-in

A good pick with a heavy head with both a flat head and pick side for getting at the roots.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/Garden/p...578,40769&ap=1

Those are a few of my favorites.
Good list.

I'd say some sort of improvement on some heavy duty, lighter weight shears with larger jaws would be great.

Also, adding a machete to the list would be in my mind. Serrated saw on one side, reg. Blade on the other. Honestly, I carry a $30 dollar gerber blade with me hunting. It works great for making a blind, cutting dropped small branches on a fence, cutting a pelvis or ribs. Even the blade stays half sharp for cutting around a neck.
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  #6  
Old 11-11-2015, 10:03 PM
Commander B Commander B is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Smithers
Posts: 341
Default Saw

Remarkable saw. Don't leave home without it. http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...,40721&p=44171

B.
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  #7  
Old 11-12-2015, 08:24 AM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 11,851
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knownonscents View Post
Good list.

I'd say some sort of improvement on some heavy duty, lighter weight shears with larger jaws would be great.

Also, adding a machete to the list would be in my mind. Serrated saw on one side, reg. Blade on the other. Honestly, I carry a $30 dollar gerber blade with me hunting. It works great for making a blind, cutting dropped small branches on a fence, cutting a pelvis or ribs. Even the blade stays half sharp for cutting around a neck.
Agreed ....

I spent a summer manually clearing a road when I was younger ...... lots of hard work and it was fun camping along the road as we moved along.

For smaller jobs, or for clearing a shooting lane or path to the stand, a good mid hatchet and a folding sierra saw are worth their weight in gold.

http://www.estwing.com/ao_hunters_axe-org.php

http://www.stihlusa.com/products/han...ing-saws/ps30/
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  #8  
Old 11-12-2015, 09:29 AM
dmcbride dmcbride is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bazeau County East side
Posts: 4,166
Default Portable saw (good for shooting lanes and such)

This is my favorite pruning saw.

http://www.fiskars.ca/Products/Yard-...cm-6-Stainless
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  #9  
Old 11-12-2015, 09:31 AM
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HRTNABN HRTNABN is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Cochrane, AB
Posts: 47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cpurdy View Post
What tools do you use most often?
Where do you use them?
How do you transport your tools to the work area?
What qualities do you look for when purchasing or using a tool?
Is there a job that you do where a tool could be better adapted or improved?
Is there a job that could be done easier if a new tool was invented?
How important is portability of these tools?
Do you have specific brands you buy over and over? If so what do you like about those brands?
Any addition information about problems you are experiencing or possible improvements to existing tools would also be appreciated.
Thank you for your time
-Hammer, Wrenches
-Home, shop, field
-Toolboxes in a pickup
-Weight, durability, fit/bite, steel vs. rubber for the grip, if they move, how smooth they function
-A combination wrench which can be snipe adaptable where the added leverage will not break the wrench nor slip off in any situation
-new tool invention...unsure.
-very important
-yes, warranty if they break, cost, how often i have to replace them, if i do not have to replace them much at all, i continue buying that brand

I don't work in the field anymore, but did for years, just some quick observations.

Cheers
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  #10  
Old 11-12-2015, 03:48 PM
cfricker cfricker is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 155
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I'm an electrician and most of us stick with Klein tools for hand tools. These would be good for non electricians as well. A bit expensive, but lifetime warranty and can take a beating.
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  #11  
Old 11-12-2015, 05:00 PM
HowSwedeItIs HowSwedeItIs is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Out on the Edge of the Prairie
Posts: 1,089
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When it comes time to clear out some of the young poplar trees I find myself reaching for a brush hook/axe, I have a sandvik and it seems like a popular brand.

http://www.mainetechnical.com/sandvi...-axe-p987.html

(there's a picture)

it's great for thinner, woody green stuff, removing limbs and chopping out saplings and such. Mostly applications that seem to light for the chainsaw. You can replace the blade if it gets dull which is nice
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