Zenport K315 of Sickle, Brush Clearing Sickle, 9-Inch by 14.5-Inch, Carbon Steel Blade/Aluminum Handle

This was the first purchase of four I've made so far in my efforts to get the underbrush, etc. cleared up on my property. Haven't received the 4th yet - a 12" ditch blade. The Zenport K315 blade takes and holds an edge well (it's a single sided edge). It is light overall, with the weight towards the head, magnifying the effectiveness of swinging it compared to what it weighs. It has good reach, but I have taken one good blow to my finger in a swing follow-through from a branch in deep brush cover that I didn't see. I also have gotten stuck several times by thorns from blackberry and regular briars. It works well against vines and long blackberry shoots, etc. in conjunction with another blade, such as the Gerber Gator Brush Trimmer (my 2nd purchase) - pull with one and cut with the other. You can switch off, or use one for pulling and the other for cutting. That lets you pull the underbrush towards you where it will spring back away from you, rather than having to go into it and be slapped around by rebounds. This Zenport has a good curve to the blade making it very useful for grabbing things, whether you are going to cut it with another or just continue pulling for the cut (that works well for vines, Kudzu, Poison Ivy, etc). It is also useful for pulling Kudzu, Honeysuckle, Poison Ivy, and other roots/runners from the ground and the base of trees. I have lopped off some fairly large (1") branches with it, but it's a little light for that as its main purpose. I'm a little concerned about wear and tear on the end of the aluminum handle where the blade is attached with rivets, but have used it quite a bit and it shows no serious signs of coming apart yet. The handle grip is ok - cushions fairly well, but gets slippery when wet - wear gloves to help with that and for finger protection. Overall it's my favorite of the three I have so far.Edit: Four years later am still using this tool. I've bought several other brush cutting blades (including the shorter Zenport - my second favorite) but have found nothing better and have decided to buy another one of these.I had mentioned being worried about where the blade is attached to the handle with two rivets, but it's still holding well.

I got 2 of these little tools - very perfect - ready to slice and dice the weeds!

I bought this sickle for clearing huckleberry bushes and blackberry vines. It works great for blackberries but struggles with huckleberries with stems that’re old enough to get a little woody. I especially appreciate the longer handle to get more leverage and not have to stoop down.The only downside for me was the plastic handle. It got pretty slippery once my gloves got wet.

Ordered this to help with managing a bramble of Himalayan blackberries that keeps climbing over our fence. I've been making due with a fiskar machete, but I recently uncovered some plum tree saplings I wanted to keep. Machete doesn't work very well for delicate bits.This thing excels. Came out of the box sharp and ready to go. Not a hacking tool, but goes through fresh canes like butter. A good slicing tug will slip through 2" annual growth or even 1" living canes from previous years that've started to get woody. Made it very easy to dismember everything around the trees I wanted and then hook out rubbish piece by piece.Worked great for continuing my swathe of destruction as well. Sickle in left hand for hooking and moving masses of blackberries, machete in my right for smashing through new and old growth. Length of this thing is great for reaching in and trimming off springy canes down low or where I can't bring the machete to bear.Came with a rather flimsy clear plastic sheathe for the blade, with a wedge of cardboard taped in to hold the tip. Works fine for keeping things a bit safer in storage, probably wouldn't hold up to being tossed around regularly.

Purpose - I'm using this sickle to clear thick brush, rogue blackberry bushes, tall grass, weeds with stalks up to 1.5 inches thick. It is used for yard maintenance in the deep woods, and for trail clearing.Review with pros - On the first day I used the sickle it worked so effectively that I didn't realize how much waste I had created and gave myself a couple of extra hours of work. I really wish somebody had put one of these in my hands when I was a teenager, I'd have saved a lot of time, this is way better than using a machete, small axe, string trimmer, etc. I've only sharpened it once so far and I've dulled the point a bit, but it works really well. Also, side note - I like its length, it gives me more control without sacrificing reach.Note: Seems to cut better with backhand swing, after a little practice you will feel like you've been using it for a while.Pros:- effective- light weight- serious time saver- tough product- holds edge decently- good length- orange handle makes it easy to find in the brushCons:- The sheath is a waste of space- Handle not adjustable for length

This thing is friggin awesome! Did battle with a couple of really out of hand Agaves. I used this sickle to trim down the big leaves (ouch!). This thing is awesome for this task! It came out of the package sharp. It just slid right though these thick agave leaves at their base. Most were thicker than my fist! It slid very easily though them. I couldn't believe how well it worked for the Agave cactuses. I highly recommend this tool. It seems sturdy. Not one thing came loose or broke during a couple of cactus battles. The blade did not bend or warp or anything. No issues with it. Just be careful not to let that nice sharp blade get dragged though gravel or dirt. Treat it like a knife, because it's as sharp as one. I just washed it with soap and water and dried it when I was done using it. My only gripe is that I wish came with a much nicer sheath. That's it. I'm buying another one now. This is a tool that should be in every pro landscaper, home owners, or cactus warriors arsenal for sure. A word of caution: Agave cactus has sap which can irritate or seriously burn your skin. I learned that first hand. Wear long sleeves, gloves, jeans, and safety glasses when attacking Agave.

Does the job, the blade only appears to be riveted to the handle so time will tell if it will hold up to serious brush clearing!!