Modified Imacasa Billhook With Custom Haft

[FortyTwoBlades]

Ok--Time for another round of tricked-out chopper madness! This time up for grabs is a customized Imacasa 10" Coa billhook with a hand-carved and fitted marine-grade teak haft. You can find "before" pics in this thread.

The haft gives excellent reach when wielded with one hand...

...and also allows for even more powerful blows to be struck when used with both.

As you can see as compared to the original, the tip has been opened significantly. This maximizes versatility for the user, while still retaining the numerous advantages afforded by a hooked blade. It also looks sexier by at least a factor of 12.

Continued...

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

One advantage of such a design is that the point of the hook can be used as a pick, and will punch deep into whatever you sic it on.

And now some beauty shots of this gorgeous marine-grade teak. I had this piece lying around from my days at Morris Yachts. I have a longer (much longer) piece that I used to haft a hewing spear of mine and let me tell you it sure takes a beating well! Looks good too. It's been brought to a 600 grit finish and oiled. Feels nice and smooth in the hand--yet not at all slick

A few shots of the socket/haft junction. This was by far the most labor-intensive part, and the fit of this area is critical to the strength of the handle, and the socket had a less-than-circular shape--more like a squat teardrop. You'll note that I have not installed a set-screw. This is so that the head and handle can ship together in a more compact box, and the end user can install the screw for a perfect fit. The socket/haft fit is flawless--I made especially sure of that. Once the blade is tapped onto the haft the shoulder will match flush with the socket.

I also squared the spine for fire steel striking, shaving tinder, etc.

The taper of the socket and the top of the haft make a perfect and extremely comfortable place to choke up on for detail work.

The edge was hand-filed, sanded, and polished by yours truly. It's stupid sharp.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Made with Pride in El Salvador--Modified for Peak Performance in Maine.

Asking $65 plus actual shipping cost.

PayPal preferred (I'll eat the payment fees), though I'll accept money orders or personal checks (allow time for them to arrive/clear). I'll ship worldwide, though the purchaser must take responsibility for making sure that the item is legal for them to purchase and own. I take no responsibility for anything resulting from the use or misuse of this product.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I forgot to mention--this style of tool is quite common to Europe, but for some reason never made it to this side of the pond with any frequency. They're used for agricultural purposes down south, but they make fantastic bush tools--or zombie slayers if that's what you prefer. Don't pass this chance up! It's hard to find billhooks of good quality anywhere in North America, and you won't find one like this one anywhere else!

$65 plus actual shipping, PayPal fees on me. Ships world-wide.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I snapped a few more photos today. I'll upload them tonight.

Price reduction: $60 plus actual shipping, PayPal fees on me.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Here you can see the flawless (and snug) fit of the socket to the haft.

This is the result of careful hand carving to match the exact shape of the socket.

That wicked point with the hand-done bevel and polished edge.

Gorgeous

$60 plus actual shipping cost. PayPal fees are on me.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

FINAL PRICE REDUCTION: $55 plus shipping, PayPal fees on me.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

This would make an excellent tool around the garden, trimming the back forty, blazing trails, or as a general-use woods chopper. Pictures can't do it justice--it feels quite alive in the hand.

FINAL REDUCED PRICE: $55 plus actual shipping. I'll cover PayPal fees.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

In its modified form, one could say that this billhook now represents a two-handed Chippenham pattern. See example 291 in the lower left corner of this image.
FINAL REDUCED PRICE: $55 plus actual shipping. I'll cover PayPal fees.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

For those not familiar with this most excellent of woods tools some good general information may be found HERE. Not all of the information holds true to this example, however, as it is of Central American origin, and not European.

A lot of work went into modifying this tool, and it will do quite a lot of hard work for you if you give it a chance. These are under-rated choppers deserving a much higher place in the world of wilderness blades.

$55 plus actual shipping. PayPal fees are on me.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

A photograph I had forgotten to post showing the depth of the haft in the socket.

$55 plus actual shipping. PayPal fees on me! Don't miss out on this opportunity to try something new! This is a great tool that's had a lot of hard work and love put into it. You simply won't find a better tool for tackling light to heavy brush, brambles and thorny plants, vines, woody stemmed plants, or tall grasses.

It will baton with ease and can function as an excellent pick for loosening dead wood when fatwood hunting. It will feather sticks nicely, and will clear trails marvelously by removing offending branches cleanly at the base. This thing is halfway between a machete and an axe, and packs a wallop when swung with both hands. Don't miss out!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Don't forget to trim back the old dead growth on your property to make way for the new Spring shoots! This tool would be perfect for the task--no more stooping or having to swing over and over at stuff that wants to bend instead of be cut!

$55 plus actual shipping, PayPal fees on me. Price still not right? Make me an offer! The same tool unmodified, unsharpened, and without a handle would cost $30 to your door! This is hours of work you don't have to do, and at very little extra cost!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Sold Pending Payment.

Thanks for looking folks! Keep your eyes peeled for a tricked-out Burriquito in the next month!