When I lived in Upstate New York as a child we ate tons of blackberries. We simply grazed off of them. You must wear long pants and good shoes, not sandals, no golves. Then using the side of your feet break down a path as you graze. You should end up with very few scratches. Never push the canes with your hands except to reach in for berries. Of course, if it is a garden blackberry patch then you have neat rows like a hedge and don't break any canes. R. Keene