Double-edged Billhook (Made in Italy)

S

Steve Tall

Joined
Aug 28, 2010
Messages
5,431
Here's a socketed billhook forged in Italy by Falci Tools.

IMG_3710b_1_1.jpg


The straight edge can be used like a cleaver,
or (with a handle attached) like a light-duty axe.
The hooked edge can cut flexible material better than the straight edge.
Both edges have a convex grind.

I carved down and shaped a thrift-store baseball bat to make a handle
(using non-electric tools),

IMG_3680b_1_1.jpg


and finished it with raw flax oil (aka raw linseed oil).

IMG_3701b_1_1.jpg


IMG_3705b_1_1.jpg



Here are some specs:

OAL (head only): 12-3/4"
OAL (with handle): 26-3/4"
Width: 7-1/4"
Straight edge length: 6-3/4"

Weight without handle: 1 lb 13 oz
Weight with handle: 2 lb 8 oz

Thickness at base below hook edge: 4 mm / 5/32"
Thickness at top end: 3 mm / 1/8"


With the handle attached, the balance point is on my finger in the photo:

IMG_3709b_1_1.jpg



I secured the head with a screw and look forward to clearing some brush.
This forum's resident billhook connaisseur, FortyTwoBlades, will be doing a review.
 
Nice billhook, Steve! Excellent job on the handle! Good thinking on thinning down the hitting end and leaving such a nice sweeping swell. I think if you had used the other end, the abrupt swell would have caused some pain. Smart guy.
 
Clever way you made the handle--I wouldn't have thought of using a thrift store bat!

Falci makes some pretty cool stuff--including (so I've heard) the best European scythe blades presently available.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Clever way you made the handle--I wouldn't have thought of using a thrift store bat!

Falci makes some pretty cool stuff--including (so I've heard) the best European scythe blades presently available.
Click to expand...

Hey, now, don't you be sayin' anything nice about euro scythes!!!;)
 
M3mphis said:
Hey, now, don't you be sayin' anything nice about euro scythes!!!;)
Click to expand...

If I was mowing a flat, level hay field without any rocks or other obstacles in it and fine grasses I'd definitely use a Euro scythe because that's what they do best. Wider swath cut per stroke and overall lighter design. But for the typical North American environment you've got bugall coarse grasses mixed in with the fine stuff, uneven ground, and rocks hidden everywhere. The American pattern makes much more sense for...uh...America...as a whole, but I do concede that there are some situations where a European scythe works best here. It's just determined by location location location. :D:thumbup:

Can't wait to try out my new bush blade, but I have to wait for everything grow first, dammit. :(
 
I like the look of that beauty.

I usually carry a machete on my sno-go when Im trapping but having the lengthened reach of this neat jobber would be pretty slick.
More reach is more better.

I look forward to the testing review!
 
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