Thai Billhook Knife...pretty darn cool

DeadFall27

DeadFall27

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May 18, 2011
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Ever since I was sucked into this knife-paradise, I always am intrigued by new blades of all shapes and sizes and their uses. When I saw a Thai Billhook knife for the first time, I just had to have one. They may not be practical for actual use here in CO but I think it would be a nice blade to own. :p

Anyone know where I could pick one up? Anyone here have any experience with 'em??
 
No clue where you could get a Thai one, but Oxhead makes one with a stacked leather handle, Fiskars/Gerber makes one with a polymer handle, and Condor makes one that's got a hacking blade opposite the hook.
 
Thank you! I actually like the looks of the Oxhead one a lot. Though I am looking for a two handed knife (Kinda like in Dual Survival), I might take the Oxhead for a go.
 
Look at "slashers"--they're mostly for sale in the UK, and it can be tough finding a store over there that will ship to the 'states. Here are some examples. You can always mount it on a shorter handle if you don't need it that long. Notable British makers of billhooks and slashers include Spear & Jackson and Bulldog. :)
 
Those are perfect! Now its a journey to get one lol
I wonder how it would perform in the forest. I mean, a hatchet is probably wayyyyy more efficient and useful but, then again, some chopper blades can be impractical too...It'd be a nifty walking stick though!!
 
A hatchet is better for felling or splitting, but a billhook will take out thin saplings, thorny plants and brambles, grasses, and other dense vegetation with much greater ease. Slashers tend to have lighter blades than regular billhooks, as they are tended for...slashing! As in cutting broad swaths through green vegetation. Billhooks tend to be used for snedding, copicing, hedging, and other trimming tasks, as well as for processing kindling, and a wide range of other tasks that sort of bridge the functions of a hatchet and a machete. I find double-sided models helpful, as the straight blade on the backside is excellent in situations where the hook would get in the way. For a heavy pattern of billhook that has a slightly longer handle than normal (it's two-handed, but not so long as a slasher) check out the billhook pattern known as a "Yorkshire."

yorks.l.jpg
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
A hatchet is better for felling or splitting, but a billhook will take out thin saplings, thorny plants and brambles, grasses, and other dense vegetation with much greater ease. Slashers tend to have lighter blades than regular billhooks, as they are tended for...slashing! As in cutting broad swaths through green vegetation. Billhooks tend to be used for snedding, copicing, hedging, and other trimming tasks, as well as for processing kindling, and a wide range of other tasks that sort of bridge the functions of a hatchet and a machete. I find double-sided models helpful, as the straight blade on the backside is excellent in situations where the hook would get in the way. For a heavy pattern of billhook that has a slightly longer handle than normal (it's two-handed, but not so long as a slasher) check out the billhook pattern known as a "Yorkshire."

yorks.l.jpg
Click to expand...

Who puts it out? That looks sweet :cool:
I would go condor for the bush knife but the hook seems a little to 'aggressive' to me.
 
I believe it's Spear & Jackson that puts that one out, but I forget. :p

I, too, would prefer a more open hook on the Bush Knife, but it's not a deal killer for me. I've got one of the old blue-handled models and it's one of my most-used woods choppers.
 
Aranyik is a member on here, and it's definitely Thai. I just wouldn't exactly call it a billhook. :D
 
It's funny that the Woodman's Pal was mentioned, as the above was designed to tackle the same set of jobs but do it better. :D
 
Bellotto makes some slashers. I've got a little one (6" blade 24" oal) but they make heavier models as well.

Frank
 
DeadFall27 said:
I was actually considering it for a minute. Ever handled one? it looks a little cumbersome for my small frame
Click to expand...

I have a classic model I picked up off ebay. It chops great and that hook really does work well. They also make a Compact version that has a shorter blade.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Look at "slashers"--they're mostly for sale in the UK, and it can be tough finding a store over there that will ship to the 'states. Here are some examples. You can always mount it on a shorter handle if you don't need it that long. Notable British makers of billhooks and slashers include Spear & Jackson and Bulldog. :)
Click to expand...

S&J and Bulldog used to make good tools - they may still do so, but I wouldn't touch any of their current billhooks for love nor money - go for an old one - there are plenty on ebay.co.uk (search billhook and bill hook) - good makes are Elwell, Nash, Brades, Whitehouse, Harrison, Skelton, Gilpin - about £25 (say $40) for a decent one (this is less than a new S&J or Bulldog) - many UK sellers will ship to the USA if asked. Also worth a web-search for UK tool sellers, e.g Timeless Tools, Old Tools, Tool Nut etc....

If you want a craftsman made one go to Simon Grant Jones - about £80, but will last several lifetimes..... http://www.simongrant-jones.com/thatching_tools_.html
 
Billman1949 said:
S&J and Bulldog used to make good tools - they may still do so, but I wouldn't touch any of their current billhooks for love nor money - go for an old one - there are plenty on ebay.co.uk (search billhook and bill hook) - good makes are Elwell, Nash, Brades, Whitehouse, Harrison, Skelton, Gilpin - about £25 (say $40) for a decent one (this is less than a new S&J or Bulldog) - many UK sellers will ship to the USA if asked. Also worth a web-search for UK tool sellers, e.g Timeless Tools, Old Tools, Tool Nut etc....

If you want a craftsman made one go to Simon Grant Jones - about £80, but will last several lifetimes..... http://www.simongrant-jones.com/thatching_tools_.html
Click to expand...

What's your opinion of Morris?
 
DeadFall27 said:
Ever since I was sucked into this knife-paradise, I always am intrigued by new blades of all shapes and sizes and their uses. When I saw a Thai Billhook knife for the first time, I just had to have one. They may not be practical for actual use here in CO but I think it would be a nice blade to own. :p

Anyone know where I could pick one up? Anyone here have any experience with 'em??
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the Thai "jungle knife", which has recently been making the rounds after appearing on an episode of Dual Survival/Thailand?

small-jungle-knife.jpg
 
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