Which specific tool are you refering to Whistonlass there is a large collection of them on that website.

I'm not sure which one you're asking about. We've got one a bit like the top one in the pic which we bought a long time ago at a car boot sale. We call it "the adzy thing" and it's very useful for some jobs. Clearing the gully behind the house, making trenches, breaking up rough ground, getting not-too-deep roots out.

The lightweight azada is the one that has been recommended to me. It would be used for de-weeding and de-brambling our back garden! Those roots are pretty stubborn babies! It's just that they are an expensive tool and I'd want to be certain of their suitability before spending so much money. Our ground is pretty rough as well and they are recommended for that. Thanks MG and Beattie for your replies.

Azadas or chopping hoes are quite effective implements, especially for stripping off weeds and grass to clear ground. But it's very hard work, and I'm not sure about how well a 'light weight' one would work. At the end of the day, it's the implement used throughout the third world for clearing ground, but as it only chops off the weeds/brambles, the stems are likely to regrow.
I use one, but mainly to earth up potatoes and to clear paths between crops.

I wouldn't see it as being a way to eradicate the weeds, more as Bertie says to keep them under control and very hard work. The whole premise behind the chopping hoe is you really 'put your back into it' and if it is light weight I too would doubt it can do much.

I can understand you wanting to tidy up your back garden but if you have a bad back I do not think that you would get very far using that implement. Having viewed the photos of what you are trying to tackle I would suggest you get someone in to do the work of clearing for you. I think it would be a good investment in allowing you to get it sorted out and start enjoying it. It looks to be so overgrown that it might be impossible to do bit by bit. It needs a concerted effort to clear the mess. sorry to be so negative but you have a lovely apple tree which will make a nice centre piece once you sort out the rest of it.