Fascine Knife

[CSM Wells]

I'm the Command Sergeant Major (CSM) for the US Army's Engineer Regiment. The Engineers of the Continental Army used a common farm implement called a Fascine Knife or hook bill to make fascines and other military construction projects. I'd like to hire a knifemaker to make a Fascine Knife and make it a symbol of the office of the Engineer's CSM. We also have an annual Engineer Conference and have a competition to find the best Sappers in the Army and would like to award the best Sappers with a Fascine Knife each year. Would you all know of someone that would be interested in helping me out?
Thanks,
CSM Wells

 

[Billman1949]

Hi - I am sure you will get a positive response from some of the more erudite members of the forum who are familiar with current knife makers who may be able to assist you ...

For my part as a collector and historian of the humble agricultural billhook (not often called a hook bill in the UK, nor a fascine knife) I would be interested in images of the types currently used by the Engineers of the Continental Army, and those from bygone eras.... (assuming it is not the ubiquitous USA Knife LC-14-B Woodsman's Pal, with which I am already familiar)....

There are a few makers still producing them in Europe - see under billhook elsewhere on this forum, or the Viking Sword Ethnographic Arms and Armour forum, see: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=2 or British Blades forum, see: http://www.britishblades.com/forums/forum.php

The best in the UK are hand forged by Simon Grant Jones, see: http://simongrant-jones.com/thatching_tools_.html - if you contact him please tell him Bob recommended him to you....

For historical background see: http://www.billhooks.co.uk