I realize that many of the readers here are anti-knife and what I am suggesting is a sword, but read on..... When I hike the Horseshoe trail or I bushwack even the best of clothing and Gortex can get ripped by brambles. In the past I took a poor quality china made Machete and drilled and filed a hook on the opposite side to shear brambles so I can get through, Sunglasses and hat provide some face protection. thin gloves are all required to get though "quiet" or low use trails. Today I found this and although its backordered I am going to take a shot at getting one as it looks lighter and someone did their homework and gave it a scalloped edge.

Outdoorsman Machete,



http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...224&hasJS=true