What hand tools are best for moving through a large tract of thorn bushes?
seriously staked goats.
if you insist on doing that hard work get a brush hook and keep it sharp.
it is a very effective forest fire fighting tool, and i have never seen one in a store.
After doing more research, I learned that a brush hook is probably better than a machete. On the website of a trails organization I found an illustrated list of several useful tools, including the brush hook.

However, this answer was spoiled by the sarcastic remark about using goats.