Bill Hook, Khukuri, Machete Or ????

D

DDS

Joined
Apr 16, 1999
Messages
286
Hi: Tom F suggested I ask the question below that I recently posted on Blade Discus. forum. He said you guys would definitely have some good opinions. Thanks for any feedback to help make my decision. DaveHi guys:
I have some wooded property that I want to clear some trails on for my sons dirt bikes. The vegetation consists mainly of brush, vines and small sapplings. This now gives me an excuse to buy one of the above new toys. I have been reading about all of them for awhile now but have no experience with any. I have only used an old GI machete in the past. Several years ago I read an article touting the Kellam Bill Hooks amazing chopping ability. I have also read good reports on CS carbon V products. Junglee uses AUS- 8 steel. Does anyone have any experiences or opinions to share ? I am not limiting it to these products since I lack any experience. I am , however, leaning towards the Bill Hook only because of its stellar reports.
Thanks for any feedback!

Regards,

Dave


 
I'm not familiar with the Bill Hook, do you have a link? I used, and appreciated, a brush ax, , if the Bill Hook is anything like that, in the service many years ago to clear out jungle?????

That said, I'm having a hell of a lot more fun with my "spring cleaning" around the property this year, than in past years, with an HI Ang Kola blem
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. I've managed to bend the point, fold a small section of the edge, and a "straighten this", chakma that, a few swipes on a Sharpmaker and it's ready to go again
smile.gif
.

The above is from a relative novice to khukuris, my first year using one for actual work. I'll personally take an HI khukuri over anything you've mentioned with the possible exception of the Bill Hook (or is that bill hook??).

Good luck with whatever you choose, and I'm sure you'll be getting much better answers than this, but I thought I'd throw in a "novice's view".
 
Ask Bill if he's got a 20" village sirupati in stock... Based on my experience of using billhooks, brush hooks, staff hooks, scythes and (recently) khukuris for clearing undergrowth & scrub, I'd say the 20" villager is perfect for the job you've got on hand. Failing which, the regular HI 20" sirupati will get the job done just fine.
 
Dave,
An excellent starting place is the series of reviews done by Cliff Stamp, which covers machetes (Barteaux,Ontario & Tramontina), compares CS kukris & HI khukuris, and evaluates various types of Nepalese khukuris, including ang kholas and sirupatis.
In general, I think that the equation works out something like this: the softer, thinner vegetation responds better to machetes, the heavier, woodier and thicker the vegetation, the better the khukuri performs. I don't recall seeing any reviews of the billhook, so will be interested to hear any reports. I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback on the question, but one thing all will agree on - you won't beat the quality and customer service of a HI khukuri.
Berk


[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 05-16-2000).]
 
Well, I have no experience on machetes or khukuris (yet), but I have used bill hook many times. The bill hooks of Kellam are from Finland (if I recall correctly), and they're similar to ones I've used. Finnish bill hook or 'vesuri' (the correct term
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) is a popular tool here. It's used in clearing bushes and small trees and cutting branches. The hook protects the blade when cutting near ground and you can use it to pick up the cut down branches etc. Vesuri is quite comfortable to use, it doesn't vibrate at all when hitting and it cuts deep. I think vesuri could be very effective for clearing trail. (at least no-one uses machetes here
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)
Kellam's vesuris are made by Martini, which manufactures good solid tools and knives.
Any Finns, correct me if I'm totally wrong.
 
DDS,
That Kellam Billhook is a dandy, but what you're describing is a multy tool situation. Lots of people that are new to almost any endevor seem to naturally seek a simple answer to a complex question, usually 'cuz they dont know enough about a subject to ask the right questions. No rant or pedantry ment in the foregoing.
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You don't (if I read the situation rightly) really need anything heavy, but longer would help. The Sirupati would be a good choice for the heavier stuff that you are looking to cut. For the vines a brush, might I suggest that you take a look at the Woodman's Pal made in Pa. and sells for about $50. I has a very useable hook as well. I would stay away from the stainless (AUS-8, etc.) in this case, because they are too hard to repair the edge on. I have most of the Cold Steel offerings and I don't think you would be happy with them, if you have very much whacking to do. Those Kraton handles make for a secure grip, but are very abrasice to the hand.
Dan
 
Hello
I have used a khukuri for 11 years and machetes alot longer.I believe in using the proper tool for the job.For clearing large areas of soft to medium under growth,it would be to your advantage to use the longest lightist blade.Bill Hooks are OK if they have longer handles but the blade is short and will cut a swath less in size than a machete.This is not to say that you could not cut the whole mess with a 22" Sirupati or AngKhola but swinging for a days work over your head and ground level,you would have a better ratio of energy expended and work accomplished if you were to use a 22" or 24" machete.
I belong to an archery club and we have to clear 38 acers full of trails and shooting lanes and the type of cutting will vary greatly,so I use a 22" Tramontina and carry a 16" AK on my belt when I run into a heavy cutting chore instead of 10 choppes with a machete,I draw the K hit it once or twice and it's down,then keep going with the machete.
Of course you can use a K-BAR,axe,chain saw or you can use a pair of those sicssors that can cut through copper pennys.
Now if your looking for a chopping,digging rough neck,dependable tool and one heck of a weapon,than you come to the right place,cause the HI Khikuri is all that and more.Good luck.

------------------
Ray

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 05-16-2000).]

[This message has been edited by RayC (edited 05-16-2000).]
 
Thanks for all the replys so far guys. Now , I really have my work cut out in researching all these links and tool suggestions.

I was impressed by the write up of the AKI SBM, it looks appealing. I'll get back to you all,if interested, on my choice(s)!

Thanks,

Dave
 
In passing; any of you guys regularly use a scythe for clearing long grass and soft undergrowth?

My dad and I had a race; his fancy new Kawasaki-engined strimmer, against the old briar scythe that's been hanging in the barn since at least 1945.

The scythe won, hands down. I love using that thing; it's graceful and light and deadly effective.
 
Had they invented indoor plumbing yet when you were a kid, Uncle Bill?

------------------
Some people are alive simply because it is illegal to kill them.
 
Sorry but that was way too good a line to pass up, Bill.

Speaking of which, Dave, English forresters used a tool called a bill, and with use it quickly rusted or turned brown, so it was referred to as the English Bill, or Brown Bill. I just got the Atlanta Cutlery catalog which means the Museum Replicas catalog won't be far behind. They'll be listed with the polearms.
 
OOOOPS:

As I was snickering over teasing you about indoor plumbing, I happened to remember the house I lived in til I was 5 or 6. We did have indoor plumbing. S'truth.

You just had to make sure and prime the handpump on the kitchen sink if you wanted a glass of water.

CHORUS
"You've got to - prime the pump, you must have faith and believe,

"You've got to - give of your self, fore you're worthy to recieve....."

--------------

"Well I thanked the Lord and I thanked the pump and I thanked old Desert Pete (refrain)

( Early Kingston Trio )
 
In prewar Cherokee, Kansas there was no sewer system and I'd guess homes were about evenly divided, outdoor vs indoor. Our schools had indoor and outdoor. Churches were about half and half again. Our Methodist church where I went was outdoor. Not like today by a far cry.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
Khukuri FAQ
 
Even though it may not be the ideal tool bush clearing with the Everest Katana will be a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Will
 
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