Modern day Billhook

[GreyCat]

I have far too many billhooks..... some I have finished refurbishing, and I use. Others are "projects" that I chip away at. My current favourite is a 10-inch "Fussels improved" from the 1950's or so.

Also I have tried the 2 types of Fiskars brush-hook, and Skrama, and kukri. The billhook isn't the same as those, it's much easier to cut through the pleachers with the fiskars/Skrama/kukri vs the billhook, and also you can do a good bit of twist action with the billhook when cutting the pleachers which feels risk with the Fiskars.... The billhook profile is more like that of an axe than the other blades.

There's always a good offering on eBay, also Dave Budd OTP has some showing on his website..... I am sure they will be excellent (I have too many to justify yet another one..... ).

When I did a hedge-laying course in Devon last year they brought tools along for us.

One thing I would recommend is some decent thorn-resistant/cut-resistant gloves.

GC

 

[Woody girl]

I prefer a bill hook to an axe any day.
Used one in the woods while coppicing for years. Made all sorts of things with it, chopped kindling, split small logs etc.
A most versatile and underrated tool.

 

[John Fenna]

I have been using mine today, harvesting polled Ash poles for firewood and "projects" - the ideal tool

 

[slowworm]

I did notice Silky make a billhook, a Yoki - http://www.silkyfox.co.uk/yoki.php

A bit pricey for me and I wonder how it would compare to an old English style billhook.

I would have thought the course would have a few to try. If it's Devon hedge style then a shovel and saw might be just as important.

 

[TeeDee]

I did notice Silky make a billhook, a Yoki - http://www.silkyfox.co.uk/yoki.php

A bit pricey for me and I wonder how it would compare to an old English style billhook.

I would have thought the course would have a few to try. If it's Devon hedge style then a shovel and saw might be just as important.

I like the look and reviews of that . Thanks.

 

[Nice65]

I like the look and reviews of that . Thanks.

Knew someone had mentioned these. Huge failure according to the NCFed coppicing boys and girls, generally consensus is Silky should stick with what they're good at, saws. Venturing into unknown territory regarding usage, a bit like Spyderco's first attempt at a bushcraft knife, this Yoki is by all accounts useless.

 

[TeeDee]

Knew someone had mentioned these. Huge failure according to the NCFed coppicing boys and girls, generally consensus is Silky should stick with what they're good at, saws. Venturing into unknown territory regarding usage, a bit like Spyderco's first attempt at a bushcraft knife, this Yoki is by all accounts useless.

I got put on a paid hedge laying course some time back - few days learning how to lay a hedge etc - Obviously had an opportunity to mix and chat with some people who were ' well into it' , what struck me and maybe where your comments 'may' also have come from is that there is a definite , personal preference and somewhat artistic snobbyiness regarding even just the general old school myriad style of bill hooks that were being used.

I'm not saying this is the reason why the Yoki didn't impress the NCF people but I do wonder.

As I don't one I guess the only way I will find out is getting one and using one if needed.

But - I think with rural skill people there can be a possible bias towards anything new age and contemporary.

 

[stonepark]

Any good?

Double Edge Bill Hook - J Hubbard and Son

Double Edge Bill Hook, Ideal for clearing weeds, cutting back hedges and chopping kindling.

www.jhubbardandson.co.uk

 

[Broch]

I got put on a paid hedge laying course some time back - few days learning how to lay a hedge etc - Obviously had an opportunity to mix and chat with some people who were ' well into it' , what struck me and maybe where your comments 'may' also have come from is that there is a definite , personal preference and somewhat artistic snobbyiness regarding even just the general old school myriad style of bill hooks that were being used.

I'm not saying this is the reason why the Yoki didn't impress the NCF people but I do wonder.

As I don't one I guess the only way I will find out is getting one and using one if needed.

But - I think with rural skill people there can be a possible bias towards anything new age and contemporary.

Well, I can understand why to some extent. Bill hooks have been developed over perhaps hundreds of years in the British landscape for doing a specific job (I appreciate other countries use very similar tools). So, when a Japanese company launches a copy product claiming 'strength, stability, and superior control' and other such things, I can understand that traditional British craftspeople may take umbrage

It would be a bit like the Chinese claiming they've developed a better fork to eat your fish and chips with!

 

[Nice65]

I got put on a paid hedge laying course some time back - few days learning how to lay a hedge etc - Obviously had an opportunity to mix and chat with some people who were ' well into it' , what struck me and maybe where your comments 'may' also have come from is that there is a definite , personal preference and somewhat artistic snobbyiness regarding even just the general old school myriad style of bill hooks that were being used.

I'm not saying this is the reason why the Yoki didn't impress the NCF people but I do wonder.

As I don't one I guess the only way I will find out is getting one and using one if needed.

But - I think with rural skill people there can be a possible bias towards anything new age and contemporary.

Dunno, a lot of Fiskars fans there, no idea why Fiskars discontinued the billhook and just sell that useless slasher now.

Also, I showed the Skrama as a tool for hard brashing and chopping. Many agreed it's a good tool for when a hook gets in the way, like down at the base of the coppice stool. So far I have four Skrama 240's on the way, two of which are for hedge layers

Apparently the blade is far too whippy on the Yoki, more like a billhook shaped machete. Blade geometry awful so it sticks in cuts, plus vibration issues. The designers didn't understand the usage and made a slasher.

 

[TeeDee]

Well, I can understand why to some extent. Bill hooks have been developed over perhaps hundreds of years in the British landscape for doing a specific job (I appreciate other countries use very similar tools). So, when a Japanese company launches a copy product claiming 'strength, stability, and superior control' and other such things, I can understand that traditional British craftspeople may take umbrage

It would be a bit like the Chinese claiming they've developed a better fork to eat your fish and chips with!

Because...????

Japan doesn't have a strong deep history of agricultural peasantry tools???


odd.

 

[Broch]

No, not at all, but if a British tool has been used here for centuries why expect there to be any improvement? The hedges haven't changed. Is it our forefathers were dumb and didn't realise there was a better way?

I'm not necessarily supporting the shunning of a Japanese bill hook; just saying I can understand why traditionalists may not see the point.

 

[HillBill]

We have different species of tree here and climate. For me, when you're cutting into decent sized hardwoods, in confined spaces, i feel a feel a shorter/ heavier tool is a better option. Lighter tools tend to be longer and lend themselves to quicker cuts, allowing efficient cutting of softer/more flexible materials. I wouldnt use an axe on brambles any more than i would use a machete on Oak or Hawthorn.

 

[swotty]

I did a hedge laying day with a local charity/bushcraft school a couple of weeks ago run by a local award winning hedge layer chap. He taught us the North Somerset technique. Interestingly he used a double sided billhook (made by Dave Budd) and the majority of cuts were made with the straight edge. This deemed my billhook pretty obsolete so I'm waiting for this puppy to turn up to restore and use .....£26

 

[HillBill]

I did a hedge laying day with a local charity/bushcraft school a couple of weeks ago run by a local award winning hedge layer chap. He taught us the North Somerset technique. Interestingly he used a double sided billhook (made by Dave Budd) and the majority of cuts were made with the straight edge. This deemed my billhook pretty obsolete so I'm waiting for this puppy to turn up to restore and use .....£26

The hook side is useful. It aint for chopping though. Its more for pull cutting. Removing the softer stuff so you can get to what you need to chop. The straight edge gives an even cut through a branch, so it can be laid over and pegged in place.

 

[Aristotle]

I bought an old one on Ebay to try. It has been delivered. I look forward to restoring it and trying it out.

 

[slowworm]

There's so many different shapes of bill hook and hedge laying style I expect we'll all have different preferences. I think when I did my course a chainsaw and axe were the preferred tools from some of the experienced people (along with a mini-digger as this is Devon) as the hedges are often well out of management. A different tool would be suitable for a regularly laid hedge in the midlands or SE.

 

[HillBill]

I bought an old one on Ebay to try. It has been delivered. I look forward to restoring it and trying it out.

Old or traditionally made are the best ones imo. Hope you have as much fun restoring it as you do using it.

 

[Aristotle]

Old or traditionally made are the best ones imo. Hope you have as much fun restoring it as you do using it.

This is how it was when I received it:

 

[Broch]

This is how it was when I received it:

Tidy - IMO doesn't need a lot of work - gentle rust conversion, oiling, and sharpen
I like old tools to keep character and history in their appearance.