Video: Rinaldi "Pesaro" Billhook

FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
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Mar 8, 2008
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In the storm we got recently we had a tree get blown down along the fence line that I'm in the process of rewiring. Limbing and snedding it to make poles made for a convenient demo.

[video=youtube;nskeNWRFvLY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nskeNWRFvLY&feature=youtu.be[/video]
 
It works but I didn't see anything that a machete wouldn't do just as well. I think most of my machetes would have out performed that tool.
 
Square_peg said:
It works but I didn't see anything that a machete wouldn't do just as well. I think most of my machetes would have out performed that tool.
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It's all in the angles of attack and where the regions doing the work are positioned with regards to the hand. Billhooks like this excel in close work and in executing precise crafting work. You'd have an easier time building a fence with one of these than you would with a machete, and many of the cuts in the tangles branches were only made possible due to the way the edge was presented. A machete wouldn't have been able to make a cut from the same vantage point. :)
 
Also, remember this is a tool that has a blade only 10 1/4" when measured from end to end. A machete of similar length wouldn't do so hot. ;)
 
Square_peg said:
Exactly. That's why a machete will out perform it. It's too short.
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Only if the long blade isn't obstructed by other branches or similarly choked growth. ;) Billhooks are generally more compact tools designed less for full-force brush clearing and more for stuff like this where you've got a lot of branches that are being turned into useful poles. This particular model does a lot of camp knife tasks well and is great for crafting things from wood. There are other models that are geared more towards heavy chopping, ones more for the removal of woody weeds...it's a diverse tool class. A long machete would have made faster work of breaking down the large branches to length, but would have had a hard time actually getting a good shot at some of them, and would have taken much more energy to do the snedding with (stripping the shoots and forks along the length of the poles being cut.) It can't really be judged on "how good is it at chopping" alone--it's a tool that places a bit higher priority on nimbleness. I now have a nice little pile of twigs and a lot of long poles that I'll be cutting down a little further and using as stakes to prop up some fence posts. Any projecting knobs keep them from being driven deeply so getting a good close trim is important. :)

Don't worry, though--I'll be doing some stuff with some of the more "choppy" ones, too. :D:thumbup:
 
Warning...thread revival
Well this old thread is what I turned up to post a picture of the Rinaldi 2 Billhook I refound last night out in the garage.
Not sure of anything about it, but am still surprised the leather stacked handle is complete and in good tight condition.

Its light, compact and has a strong blade.
1 1/4lbs
16 1/2" total length - almost 12" blade
I have not tried sharpening, just cleaned it up a little last night.

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20190306-090058.jpg


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20190306-085904.jpg


:cool:
 
The 2 is in reference to the size of the model. Looks like a No.111, or a "Valcamonica" pattern, which they still produce. Yours is the middle size which should have a ~29cm blade by their currently posted stats. The 111N1 is 27cm and the 111N3 is 31cm. :)
 
Thank you FortyTwoBlades FortyTwoBlades
Yes this blade measure at 29.8cm. near 30cm.

Valcamonica. Thanks FortyTwo.
The balance and weight feel very comfortable and I can see this limbing easily maybe 3/4" branches or clearing thick brush where space may limit the tools that would be most effective.
 
Miller '72 said:
Warning...thread revival
Well this old thread is what I turned up to post a picture of the Rinaldi 2 Billhook I refound last night out in the garage.
Not sure of anything about it, but am still surprised the leather stacked handle is complete and in good tight condition.

Its light, compact and has a strong blade.
1 1/4lbs
16 1/2" total length - almost 12" blade
I have not tried sharpening, just cleaned it up a little last night.

20190306-085857.jpg


20190306-090058.jpg


20190306-090118.jpg


20190306-085904.jpg


:cool:
Click to expand...
Vid has been posted here before but I suspect you may enjoy it. :)
 
K kvaughn I agree, and it's pretty ugly as it is to look at. I am thinking I will use a stone, I have only a few to choose from here in my collection but I will make do for now.
I suppose someone proficient with an angle grinder might be able to do the work...
I am not that guy ;):cool::thumbsup:
 
Miller '72 said:
K kvaughn I agree, and it's pretty ugly as it is to look at. I am thinking I will use a stone, I have only a few to choose from here in my collection but I will make do for now.
I suppose someone proficient with an angle grinder might be able to do the work...
I am not that guy ;):cool::thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Maybe a flat file on the flats and a round one on the inside curves to start with before the stone. No grinder, please!--KV
 
Miller '72 said:
K kvaughn I agree, and it's pretty ugly as it is to look at. I am thinking I will use a stone, I have only a few to choose from here in my collection but I will make do for now.
I suppose someone proficient with an angle grinder might be able to do the work...
I am not that guy ;):cool::thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Scythe stones or the rounded file/stone dealies like you can find from baryonyx work well for bendy edges. I like a buck edgtek myself, made for buck by someone else, fortytwoblades knows who as he's told me before.

Pics from baryonyx
byxco-manticore-abrasive-file-11.gif

byxco-arctic-fox-american-scythe-stone-7.gif
 
They're handier than most "large camp knife" tools for most tasks, honestly. If you're not going to carry something as large as a machete or axe, a billhook is the next best thing, and you learn pretty quickly how to use the bill like a sharp extension of your arm to grasp and manipulate things without cutting through them until you actually want to. They're a blast, and I think North America has been depriving itself of a valuable tool class for over 150 years or so. :D
 
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