To many of us who work in forestry, parks and countryside management the name “Bahco” is synonymous with quality “Bushman” saws, pruners, loppers and such like. However, they also do a great range of accessories such as a variety of tools belts and holsters. Many people do not know that, though.
The professional and the volunteer Park and Countryside Rangers, as well as countryside maintenance teams, have for a while been looking for a way to carry some small tools, such as pruners, notebooks, cellphone, and other such kit in one convenient though customizable package. I believe that in the form of the Bahco web belt (4750-QRLB-1) and holster (4750-KNHO-1), plus other holsters and pouches that can be added to such a system can be had from Bahco.
The belt and holster under review here is the ideal, in my opinion, combination for the Parks and Countryside Patrol Ranger who also has to do the occasional snipping back of vegetation, and into the holster, as ideal companion goes a pair of Bahco Professional Bypass Pruners.
Belt and holster were kindly provided as samples for review by the representative of Bahco at their stand on the DIY & Garden and Totally Tools Show in January 13-15, 2008 at London's Earls Court 2 Exhibition Center.
While some people prefer leather for tool and utility belts, for the Park Ranger and Park Keeper nylon webbing for belts would be more suitable, in my view, that would be leather even though I do like leather belts and holsters and such, primarily for being a natural material and such. In the patrol environment, however, a belt made from this kid of sturdy nylon webbing, which is often referred to as “ballistic nylon” come into its own. This belt also rides much better just above the trouser belt, I find, than does a leather one.
The holster (4750-KNHO-1), theoretically, intended for a utility knife with retractable blade, takes a pair of pruners well and an additional pouch for notebooks and one for the cellphone complete the combo. The latter two pouches are this writer's own.
Having worn this combination now for a number of weeks, being a professional Park Ranger, I do not even notice anymore that I am wearing this set and the pruners are always at the ready and there where needed to cut an overhanging branch or such.
Initially the belt and holster were worn with a Felco Professional pair of bypass pruners that are well over 10 years old but now, since the Garden Press Event, the pruners in the holster are a pair of Bahco Professional Ergo PX-M2 and more about that one in another review.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), February 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment