Forestry Memories

Old brashing saw pre 1960 stamped with FCS initials (Forestry Commission Scotland)

Old brashing saw pre 1960 stamped with FCS initials (Forestry Commission Scotland)

Date Added: 04 April 2021 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 2021 Picture No: 5090

Ian Gale, Lockerbie, has sent in an image of a brashing saw with his comments as follows:
“Found this old brushing (brashing) saw in my late father's shed about 10 years ago, and then found it in mine this winter.

It would have originally been from Dalbeattie Forest, although I see some comedian has inscribed the letter X in front of FCS!

I can recall using these saws in very early '80s, although not for its original use, we were using them to brash 20 year old Sitka spruce to access drains for maintenance”.

The simple style shaft indicates that this is likely to be an early manufactured tool probably well before 1960. Later brashing saw shafts tended to have fawn foot ends for more secure grip and also were shorter in length. The names Skelton and Chieftain Forge come to mind as manufacturers and suppliers.

Any early memories of using these and details of their manufacture would be very welcome.

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Groups: Tools, equipment and clothing

3 Comments

Used one of these when i started work in 1964.
Can't remember what make it was, but it looked just like the one in the photo.
Comment left on 07 April 2021 at 22:56 by Robert Hannah
I used one while doing my yts at aged 16 in Ae forest..all we seemed to do was brashing and planting..was slave labour..£5 for an 8hr day..£25 a week...I must admit..I did enjoy the brashing. You knew you had done a days work that's for sure. Comment left on 07 September 2023 at 07:43 by Steven brown
Brashing had to be one of the most soul destroying jobs for a young person in forestry? Comment left on 08 September 2023 at 13:09 by Leslie Phillip
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