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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Machetes Versus Billhooks
- Thread starter jacknife
- Start date
Old designs and ideas are frequently a lot better than the new stuff designed by the sales department instead of anyone who actually had to use a tool once in their life. At least the old designs survived because they worked well for folks whose lives often depended upon a functional edged tool. And if electricity suddenly ceased to exist you could make anything from very fine cabinetry to a large house with nothing but sharp hand tools.
Delay in answering was a good illustration of the frustrations of a modern age .... just renewed my knifemaker membership on the Forum and apparently it "re-set" something and the computer did not recognize me any more. Took about a week to resolve (I think .... we'll see what happens). I am unfortunately stuck with spending more time than I should on the computer ...... and think it was probably less stressful when we communicated with quill pens dipped in ink.
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net
Delay in answering was a good illustration of the frustrations of a modern age .... just renewed my knifemaker membership on the Forum and apparently it "re-set" something and the computer did not recognize me any more. Took about a week to resolve (I think .... we'll see what happens). I am unfortunately stuck with spending more time than I should on the computer ...... and think it was probably less stressful when we communicated with quill pens dipped in ink.
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net
SharpBits
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2002
- Messages
- 4,802
Sorry, the Woodsman's Pal has the hook on the wrong side, it's built sort of arsey-versy to a billhook. Here's the kind of large billhook I've always used. Here is a smaller version, and an interesting variation. Kellam makes a nice one in the Finnish style, several of the on-line knife dealers carry them. The small 'hooks are very handy at cutting and shaping a hedge.
Dear Sharpbits,
What you are showing is a modern-steel version of what the British and French used to make and issue to rubber-plantation "employees" in Southeast Asia. Also became popular in the Phillipines, since it is a good tool for clearing brush and is a bit more durable than a machete. But is not a billhook or "fascine knife" because the "hook" is on the wrong side.
Dear TexasCarl,
The main problem with the "modern" billhook you referenced is that it is apparently a skinny little bastard and the originals were fat strong heavy blades. But (as you very correctly pointed out) the hook is on the proper side and in use "draws" the material to be cut into the main portion of the blade. That's why it has worked so well for several hundred years.
Have enjoyed contributing but my fascination with history is now going to have to take a back door to trying to put more time on stuff directly associated with making a living while the body keeps telling me that it won't work any more.
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net
What you are showing is a modern-steel version of what the British and French used to make and issue to rubber-plantation "employees" in Southeast Asia. Also became popular in the Phillipines, since it is a good tool for clearing brush and is a bit more durable than a machete. But is not a billhook or "fascine knife" because the "hook" is on the wrong side.
Dear TexasCarl,
The main problem with the "modern" billhook you referenced is that it is apparently a skinny little bastard and the originals were fat strong heavy blades. But (as you very correctly pointed out) the hook is on the proper side and in use "draws" the material to be cut into the main portion of the blade. That's why it has worked so well for several hundred years.
Have enjoyed contributing but my fascination with history is now going to have to take a back door to trying to put more time on stuff directly associated with making a living while the body keeps telling me that it won't work any more.
TWO HAWKS
http://www.2hawks.net