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  • From: Mark <mpludwig@facstaff.wisc.edu>
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [permaculture] The joy of swinging good tools
  • Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 12:21:27 -0500

I similarly love my brush ax as opposed to the clattering 2 cycle weed wacker. If you don't know the tool, it is a thin, long blade (50 cm X 15 cm X 3 MM), sharp on both ends and hooked on one side. All perched on a hickory ax handle. After a few years with this I can swing it fast and accurately. Great for knocking back annual weeds, tall grass, brambles and mid sized brush. My new martial art is wacking back sumac, very satisfying soft wood.....
M
At 09:36 AM 9/11/02 -0700, you wrote:

> Usually, I try to avoid swinging a
> sledge hammer or wielding a pry-bar.
>
> Kirby

Laudably American attitude! I myself usually try to pick the *easier* way.
Is it easier to shlep a power drill and cord or gasoline, or sling an 8lb
sledge on a smooth hickory handle? (don't go for fiberglas!) I won't even go
into what idiocy it is to waste a jackhammer on un-reinforced 3.5 inch slab!
Power tools hidden cost include white finger disease, hearing loss,
isolation (vs working in a team singing, one of Uncle Bill's favorites) and
not to forget the upfront cost. And the results- busted rubble or cracked
hardpan vs reusable "urbanite"...
-Rick

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Mark P. Ludwig
Poultry Research Lab
University of Wisconsin -Madison
608-262-1730 WK
608-846-7125 HM





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