Billhook

[All Day Bing]

Hi, this is my first post and it's nice, an honour in fact to be amongst you...

I'd like to get hold of a really nice billhook for general, not particularly heavy work.

I wonder if you be kind enough to point me at a really well made all-rounder.

Cheers,

Bing

 

[British Red]

http://www.woodsmithstore.co.uk/shop/Products/Tools/Billhooks/

 

[Westnorfolk]

Hi Bing, the newton is the best i have used, light and easy to use all day, sand the varnish off the handle before hard use your skin will thank you (bad blisters) if you are going to be moving onto a lot of heavy hedging in the winter then the Yorkshire hook also on the woodsmith site British Red, gave is excellent. also a decent long handled hedge hook/slasher is invaluable if you have blackberry and blackthorn that needs thinning or pulling out. this one is cheap and after a bit of work on the edge is good and sharp. http://shop.visatools.co.uk/general-purpose-slasher-86-p.asp

some pictures of my ones http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u53/westnorfolk/

welcome to the site.

Dave

 

[littlebiglane]

Morris of Dunsford Newton Pattern Billhook are amongst the best. If you are feeling flush then Dave Budd (BCUK member) will forge you one to your spec.

 

[sirex]

Hi Bing, the newton is the best i have used, light and easy to use all day, sand the varnish off the handle before hard use your skin will thank you (bad blisters) if you are going to be moving onto a lot of heavy hedging in the winter then the Yorkshire hook also on the woodsmith site British Red, gave is excellent. also a decent long handled hedge hook/slasher is invaluable if you have blackberry and blackthorn that needs thinning or pulling out. this one is cheap and after a bit of work on the edge is good and sharp. http://shop.visatools.co.uk/general-purpose-slasher-86-p.asp

some pictures of my ones http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u53/westnorfolk/

welcome to the site.

Dave

have you ever used a knighton pattern ? - im thinking of getting one for splitting wood bags (the type of bags they sell at fuel garages, so 6-8" wide cross sections. At the moment i use a cheapo axe, but dont really get on with it for the job. wonder if a billhook would do a better go at it.

 

[British Red]

I have an original Elwell Knighton - its startlingly good as a kindling knife in the role you describe

Red

 

[Stanleythecat]

I can vouch for the Woodsmith Store, good personal service from Maurice (no personal interests etc) just quick and friendly.

Morris brothers is by far the best modern hook you can buy at the moment and the Newton is a very nice well balanced tool that is a pleasure to use. The handles are not oversized too. Steer well clear of the Bulldog/Compass/Spear and Jackson hooks that are mass produced with no appreciation for their practical application, they arrive blunt, are imbalanced and heavy, the handles are invariably too fat and all in all are a chore to use when sat beside a Morris hook or a good quality old hook. Don't pay over the odds for an old hook either, some are sold as antiques and carry a collectors premium... personally I like to be able to use my tools!

Leo

 

[Stanleythecat]

I have an original Elwell Knighton - its startlingly good as a kindling knife in the role you describe

Red

I have an Elwell hook too and it is fantastic, it has a slightly longer round handle which feels really good in your hand and can offer a bit more clout when coppicing.

 

[Westnorfolk]

have you ever used a knighton pattern ? - im thinking of getting one for splitting wood bags (the type of bags they sell at fuel garages, so 6-8" wide cross sections. At the moment i use a cheapo axe, but dont really get on with it for the job. wonder if a billhook would do a better go at it.

hi there, no have never used one, for splitting kindling i use a small hatchet or by the fire i keep and old British Army parang, that splits things nicely and if it needs more then baton with a beetle.

reds does look nice though so once payday comes i may be looking round.

 

[Noddy]

...............

 

[Tengu]

I use my billhook for splitting, its so much more conventient than a hatchet.

 

[spader]

I have a few billhooks.
My favorite ones are the Morris of Dunsford, Whitehouse(No hook in front) and John Reily.

 

[maddave]

http://www.muddyfaces.co.uk/index.php?cPath=3_7_25

 

[Woodwatcher]

i know its been a while since anyone responded but what did you go for in the end all day bing? Ihave collected a number of hooks over the years my fav being a rutland pattern by hedgehog looks like a meat clever with a convex blade shape but it cuts so sweetly. They also fit in with the living history group i am with medieval archer/woodsman persona.