Machetes Versus Billhooks

Joined
Jan 3, 2001
Messages
868
Over here in the UK it's rare to come across a machete in the local tool shops but the billhook is still easy to find in garden centres,tool shops, etc.
What are the pro's and con's, and do you guys in the States use the billhook much? Is the billhook as viable a tool for survival as a machete, and what about as a defence weapon? they were used in the middle ages as polearms. Anyone got a CQC billhook
:D

sbillhooksml1.jpg
 
Fiskars makes a nice billhook, coated blade, plastic handle (same style as their axes). You can get it in most of the large hardware chain stores. We use it in our escrima training group, I think it would be a formidable weapon, although limited to cutting and "blunt" thrusts/stabs only. I´d also assume it makes a nice machete substitute, but have no experience with it.
 
Originally posted by judge
Fiskars makes a nice billhook, coated blade, plastic handle (same style as their axes). You can get it in most of the large hardware chain stores. We use it in our escrima training group, I think it would be a formidable weapon, although limited to cutting and "blunt" thrusts/stabs only. I´d also assume it makes a nice machete substitute, but have no experience with it.

MAN! I'd love to get my hands on one of those!! Any info on where I could get one or a link?? If not, email me, if you would about whether you could/would send one to the US and how much??
Thanks,
Jason
 
Try www.fiskars.com . I looked over their site, but they only have the axes listed, as far as I´ve seen. Drop them an e-mail specifically asking for the billhooks. They were available at least till about a year ago, don´t think they are discontinued. Also, there are a lot of their distributors´ sites listed, you could search those.
I could buy one and send it over to you, no problem, but the shipping wouldn´t be exactly cheap, I suppose.
 
Thanks Judge!! I'll check it out!
BTW, since you have no email listed would you mind shooting me an email so I could get back in touch w/ you?
jason@watersedgechurch.com

I guess I should say that bill hooks are not widely available here in the states. About the only similar product is a much larger brush axe that it mounted on a four foot or so long handle and is for heavy clearing. Kellam also produces a hook that Dexter Ewing asked for a review on in the review/testing forum but they are about $80! Machetes and axes are the order of the day. Some of us get a kick out of choppers though so info/reviews are appreciated!!
 
Cool! We have some proof that there was/is a Fiskars/Gerber bill hoook :) I'm going to call them next week to see about this. Thanks guys!
 
Originally posted by jacknife
Over here in the UK it's rare to come across a machete in the local tool shops but the billhook is still easy to find in garden centres,tool shops, etc.
What are the pro's and con's, and do you guys in the States use the billhook much? Is the billhook as viable a tool for survival as a machete, and what about as a defence weapon? they were used in the middle ages as polearms. Anyone got a CQC billhook
:D


Jacknife - I do have something similar to what you describe - a duoble edges bush hook manufactured by Ames, a company famous for their shovels, hoes, edgers, etc. The handle is about 3 feet long and the blade about 1 foot long. This is great for taking out briar patches, small saplings, and is quite devastating on small tree stumps. I bought this bush hook at the local Ace Hardware. The larger home centers like Home Depot or Lowes don't even carry these. I'm sure if you look in some of the mail order agricultural/commercial landscaper supply catalogs you'll find all sorts of bill hooks and scythes. I guess most folks these days buy chain saws or dedicated brush cutters to get the job done instead of sweating it out in the hot sun swinging a bush hook or machete :D
 
Originally posted by Dexter Ewing
I guess most folks these days buy chain saws or dedicated brush cutters to get the job done instead of sweating it out in the hot sun swinging a bush hook or machete :D

WHAT!?! and miss all the fun?? It is only work if you have to do it!
 
A billhook, like the Woodsman's Pal is a kind of machete. Related to the heavy short style machete designed for harder woods more than the long thinner (typically) jungle machete. For tasks like clearing a camp site in most parts of the world I would think the billhook would out perform almost any machete. On the other hand, for trail clearing of vines, light brush, or cutting anything that doesn't require the weight of a billhook or would benefit from the over-all length of a machete cutting surface, the machete is going to be better. As usual, no tool does everything equally well.
 
for trail clearing of vines, light brush, or cutting anything that doesn't require the weight of a billhook or would benefit from the over-all length of a machete cutting surface, the machete is going to be better

I like to use my Vaquero Grande as a light and very portable machete.
 
Back
Top