Billhooks: The Forgotten Choppers of the Western World

Martiini used to make a couple, a military and a civilian model.

I have images here somewhere, it is on my list, as soon as the shop gets filled with equipment. : ) There is a gentleman in the UK who is very interested in what I might be able to put together...

42 - Which one do you prefer the look or, and if one ( 1 ) were made today, what would you think it should look like?

Marion
 
Today it is next to impossible to find a modern-made billhook outside of the U.K. or, to a limited extent, Central and South America.
Actually it is easily available in France, and probably many other country. Almost all gardening stores sell at least one store, although generally hardware store grade.
Inexpensive, like $30.

http://www.leroymerlin.fr/mpng2-front/pre?idLSPub=1048592703&renderall=on&zone=zonecatalogue#9

It's like a small machete. The hook is useful for boughts but gets in the way for any thing bigger. Can get tangled in branches, or get the tip stuck in wood. The hook also helps preventing the edge from hitting the ground. Sticking the tip may help manipulate logs.
 
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Chinese "Haka" tribal fighter use axe, billhook (on wooden rack), socket

handle boar knife/spear against Japanese invasion Taiwan in 1895.

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my billhook
 
Martiini used to make a couple, a military and a civilian model.

I have images here somewhere, it is on my list, as soon as the shop gets filled with equipment. : ) There is a gentleman in the UK who is very interested in what I might be able to put together...

42 - Which one do you prefer the look or, and if one ( 1 ) were made today, what would you think it should look like?

Marion

My personal favorite patterns are:

Brades Page 1: The #176 Kent with Back and 216 Socket Block
Brades Page 2: The #210 Hertford and #208 Offley

Brades Nash Tyzack (1959) Page 3: #196 "Brades" Shifnal
Brades Nash Tysack (1959) Page 4: # 200 "Brades" Suffolk

Elwell Page 1: #3370 Hertford, #2956 Suffolk, and #4230 Kent (particularly nice example)
Elwell Page 2: #3949 Kettering

Cornelius Whitehouse & Sons Page 6: #281 Hertford Full Edge

That covers, I think, the patterns I see as being the most useful today. Any of the patterns I doubled up on is because both variations are exceedingly well executed.

The double-edged Kent in particular (and other double-edged varieties) are particularly handy, since the hook doesn't get tangled on or stuck in things if you use the back edge in those circumstances.

The Hertford (while not necessarily something you'd immediately recognize as a billhook) would be an excellent chopper capable of pulling cut brush out of the way, or as a pick for loosening soil.

Ultimately if one and only one pattern were to be made it would HAVE to be the double-edged Kent in my opinion. It's by far the most versatile pattern, in both long or short versions. Long ones start taking on more axe-like qualities, which is handy up here in New England! :D

The Suffolk is nice since it gives you a small and functional hook that is unlikely to become entangled, as well as having a deep belly for blade clearance and chopping ability.
Actually it is easily available in France, and probably many other country. Almost all gardening stores sell at least one store, although generally hardware store grade.
Inexpensive, like $30.

http://www.leroymerlin.fr/mpng2-front/pre?idLSPub=1048592703&renderall=on&zone=zonecatalogue#9

It's like a small machete. The hook is useful for boughts but gets in the way for any thing bigger. Can get tangled in branches, or get the tip stuck in wood. The hook also helps preventing the edge from hitting the ground. Sticking the tip may help manipulate logs.

Thanks for the info! I'm glad to hear it's still widely available where you are. The problems with the hook you mention are easily avoided with the double-sided models, or by choosing a model with a smaller or more "open" hook, or a blade with a projecting belly. Models with single-edge large hooks tend to do best in open woods or fields where the likelihood of snagging is small. When I'm in choked woods I find myself using the straight side of my Condor Bush Knife more and more, but still frequently switching to the hook to pull and cut branches and thorny plants out of my way. :)

newtotjuly22009003.jpg


my billhook

That's a beauty! Where'd you get that one?:thumbup:
 
Very cool thread, 42B! The only billhooks I ever see are these huge, unwieldy, heavy and dull affairs. I've never even considered using them for anything. My arsenal of woods tools consists of knives, machetes, loppers,choppers, and chainsaws. I suppose there would be room in the "force continuum" for a good billhook if I ever came across one. I'd have to learn how to use it, and then I'd have to learn how to sharpen the thing.

How do you sharpen a billhook anyway? With a round diamond chainsaw file?
 
Very cool thread, 42B! The only billhooks I ever see are these huge, unwieldy, heavy and dull affairs. I've never even considered using them for anything. My arsenal of woods tools consists of knives, machetes, loppers,choppers, and chainsaws. I suppose there would be room in the "force continuum" for a good billhook if I ever came across one. I'd have to learn how to use it, and then I'd have to learn how to sharpen the thing.

How do you sharpen a billhook anyway? With a round diamond chainsaw file?

I sharpen mine on my belt grinder using a 1" belt. :thumbup:

Andy
 
You sharpen them like any forward-curving blade. A round file, tapered diamond rod, or a garden tool/scythe stone does the trick. On my Condor I use a Sharpmaker stone for touch-ups. :)
 
That's a beauty! Where'd you get that one?

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It made by this dud in southern formosa, he is well known for making bamboo chopper and hatchet.

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and this one is a japanese billhook call "Unagi (eel ) nata"
 
I bought one from Lee Valley a while back. It was relatively inexpensive and had a stacked leather handle. Got to be careful when you use them, particularly if you are more used to using machetes. That hook sticks out a lot further than the blade edge. I've come close to spearing my leg a couple of times.
 
They, indeed, use a bit of a different technique--again, much like a cross between a machete (the loose-gripped swing) and a hatchet (how you target the blow). Watch your legs! :D
 
The Japanese make their share as well. You can find them for sale as "brush hooks".
 
my grandad's got a couple of these, somewhat rusty, sitting in his garage. used to use them for bush clearing ect, when he (and my grandma) did conservation work in the new forest. they look to be rather more basic versions of the kent pattern shown in the OP, which is funny, as he (and we) live in hampshire.

the hook on the blade has manny uses. it can work a bit like a sythe for lighter bush clearing, can be used to split wooden wands down the middle and can also be used to lift poles ect as a sort of lifting hook. you have to be careful with 'em though, they will quite happily remove limbs if you give them a chance.

I'll have to see if I can borrow/pinch one or both of them, clean them, redo the edge and try them out.
 
my grandad's got a couple of these, somewhat rusty, sitting in his garage. used to use them for bush clearing ect, when he (and my grandma) did conservation work in the new forest. they look to be rather more basic versions of the kent pattern shown in the OP, which is funny, as he (and we) live in hampshire.

the hook on the blade has manny uses. it can work a bit like a sythe for lighter bush clearing, can be used to split wooden wands down the middle and can also be used to lift poles ect as a sort of lifting hook. you have to be careful with 'em though, they will quite happily remove limbs if you give them a chance.

I'll have to see if I can borrow/pinch one or both of them, clean them, redo the edge and try them out.

Be sure to post pictures if you do!
 
Okay, 42B, see what you've done ... now you've got me wanting one. I use mostly a 14" bolo in my excursions (I'm in Southern California — not much work for an axe where I live), but a billhook is looking extremely interesting. Might have to try one.
 
I guess billhook in finnish is vesuri. They are as common or known as axes, so I wouldn't call them forgotten. :)
 
Okay, 42B, see what you've done ... now you've got me wanting one. I use mostly a 14" bolo in my excursions (I'm in Southern California — not much work for an axe where I live), but a billhook is looking extremely interesting. Might have to try one.

Seriously--do it. You'll be amazed at how handy they are. Just make sure you get one of the more versatile patterns. The more task-specific ones were designed to be used close to home when you have other tools at your disposal. :):thumbup:

I'll ask next time I'm up there.
only problem could be that the handles are not in the best of condition, and replacing them could be a bit of an issue.
still, it'll be a nice project if I can.

There are replacement handles available online, or you can make your own if you're unable to find one. ;)
 
Seriously--do it. You'll be amazed at how handy they are. Just make sure you get one of the more versatile patterns. The more task-specific ones were designed to be used close to home when you have other tools at your disposal. :):thumbup:

It would have to be a pattern that was as versatile as my bolo, but I'm willing to give it a try.

Years ago, when I lived in Ramona (about halfway between San Diego and the mountains), there was a super-cool old country hardware store that had a little of everything (you know the type). One of the items they carried was billhooks — I don't know what brand — for about $8. I kept thinking I should pick one up to use around my property, but I never did. Now I wish I had.
 
Martiini used to make a couple, a military and a civilian model.



Marion

Fiskars also before they switched to the new design, made a copy of the long handled Martiini style for about $35-50. Sadly, it was never common in the States. I believe Cliff Stamp got his hands on one years ago.
 
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