Sam Thompson

100% Spot on The finest axes you will ever come across, apart from maybe a Cegga, but then at least a year wait and a £200+ price tag? GBA Seem pricey but are worth every penny, they balance better than aything else I have come across and hold an edge you would shave with. I have three of their axes now and wouldnt swap them. Gransfors Splitting Maul - Greenman Bushcraft Gransfors Splitting Maul, Gransfors Axes ATB Sam

I'de buy one Sam

Meindl Waudlaufer(?) I really like them for the groundwork I do. SAm

I love a small axe... If you question the use, check out this picture of a hatchet pulling way above its weight! Seriously though... if he could automate that and make it cut and split (into quarters) at the same time he would be rolling in it Love the idea though Sam

I think that its a shame when people dismiss a tool that has worked just fine since the dawn of time. It reflexs our technology infected society, and our health and safety culture. I personnaly use an axe at home as much as I use a billhook, and as much or maybe more than I use a chainsaw. For felling a tree of small dia (6" or less) I would take a bow saw and axe to the job with pleasure. Its different when your commercial felling, but when you are well trained and have the time its perfectly acceptable. Why are we all using chainsaws? Why not buy a tiny harvestor? You get much more control... I echo joshes comments too, traditions like that should not be lost. Sam

EDIT. Dates are the 29.11.10 - 17.12.10 and the 10.01.11 - 04.02.11 not as above. (Any chance admin could edit original post please?) Thanks Sam

Hello All, I’m currently doing my National Diploma in Forestry and I'm trying to find a work placement for a few months over the winter. The college time table states that I should be on placement 29.11.10 - 17.02.11 and then the 10.01.11 - 04.02.11. I am really looking for work in woodland management and coppicing as this holds most interest for me, but I will consider anything Experience I don’t have a great deal of experience within forestry/arb but I have spent most of my life outside working on shoots and farm work. I am competent (I’m told) with most hand tools and have done some chainsaw work, mainly cutting firewood at home and a bit of felling too. I spent the past year working with Strutt & Parkers land management department in Chester, it’s not particularly relevant but I learnt a great deal. Course So far on the course we have covered - Chipper, Chainsaw, Brushcutter/Strimmer, Handtool and tractor use and maintenance. I will not have any CS tickets when I start work experience, which I appreciate is a pain, but it cannot be helped as the earliest we can sit them is next year. We have also covered brashing, drain maintenance, fencing and log splitting (). I have all my own PPE but not saw, and I could supply some of my own handtools if necessary. I will hopefully have passed my driving test by then but I doubt I will have a car. I will go wherever the job is and get digs locally. If the placement is right then I would happily work for the experiance and guidance, remuneration would be great if possible though! Please do not hesitate to contact me via PM, email ([email protected]) or telephone (07948309142). Thankyou for your time Sam Thompson.

Twatt? its not near me, but I have been there Sam

Craacking little spot. Should be pretty good when its all finished and that. More to the point, nice spaniels Sam

I would get a Nikon. No idea why. Its a bit like saws, your either one or the other. Im Nikon, always have been Sam

WOW. Thats phenomenal!

Sam

Right, I can still get to the page (Sponsered forums) but by clicking were the box should be. Its just not showing up at all Sam

No your not. I lost the wee box too:confused1: But as I have no idea what goes there I wont miss it much Sam

I have heard a fair bit of talk about "porting" "muffling" and such like on here. I havent really come across (or felt the need to) mod a saw, so I would be very grateful if some knowledgable bod helped me with a few things? Why would you mod a saw? Is it really that much better? How much does it cost? Can you do it to any saw? Im thinking of getting a bigger (MS 460 esc) saw soon, would it be worth modding? Or does it depend on what your doing? Thanks, and sorry for all the questions! Sam

Yup. We own 18 (though will be 48 soon) acres of woodland in Cheshire Its hazel coppice surrounded by some older beeches and limes. We get most of our firewood off it, and the trees in the surounding fields (we have an agreement with the land owner) provides the rest. We also have 7 very happy and fat Glouster Old Spots running around living off the habitat, apart from some winter supliments, which we turn into bacon when they are ready. I also shoot within the wood - I put down 350 pheasants and 300 partridge this year. I put down corn to bring in ducks onto a flight pond we dug and all that adds to the "truely" wild game - Rabbits, Canada Geese, Pidgeon, Squirrals etc. Just as an aside, last year I out down the same numbers of game and only shot 142 pheasants, 78 partridge and 69 mallard. Combining this with the pigs, and the large amounts of venison we "aquire" (lots of deer stalking all around the country) we buy very little meat, though much of the pheasants and that are given away to friends. Its only been "fully" coppiced once since we have owned it, and that was in 1996, so I think we will coppice again in 2011/2012. The firewood we get is either fallen wood, dead standers or a tree that needs felling (only done that 3 times I think). Aswell as releasing the birds, putting down feed and predator control we also leave piles of "stacked" brances and things as habitat for beetles and other little beasties (: And have put up a fair few bird boxes too. I started doing the consevation work because after all the pleasure the wood has given me I think it only fair to give something back. I also planted some cherry trees a few years ago and they are well worth having... mmmmm cherry pie:eating: I use a quad for most everything, but we recently bought a Kubota RTV jobbie a while back and that is proving to be a real asset to us. No idea how much it cost though, sorry! I would say go for it! Sam

110 Nah, I'de rather push a landy than drive a Nissan Sam

What if the guy coming up and asking questions is someone who has no experience and has been looking around the woodlands at bits that need clearing up and is thinking of doing the work himself but instead asks you "workers" if he could come and give you a hand for no money, just the experiance? Sam

Windy Smithy They are apprently the muts nuts at the moment and built to last. The other one would be Clearview IMHO. Sam

<druelling face> Nice set of wheels bud. Sam

*Street lights for throwing sausages up dark alleys? Sam

A full length MS880 down into your arse might look funny/good though Sam

Try his factor first bud. But get someone to read the letter you send to him first Sam

Thought this was about rabbit shooting! Nice work though mate Sam

Aymen to that Sam