Bilhooks - anyone use them?

[Robson Valley]

Here, you would reach for a power saw. Most everybody has a 16" and/or a 20" bar. I have a 16 gasser and a 16 electric.
It took a 36" to cut that log that I'm leaning on in my avatar.
If I've seen any design of a bill hook hanging on a shed wall, I didn't recognize it for what it is.

Old and uncommon tools?
Spoke Shave: For making wheel spokes and utensil handles. I use two of them.
Draw knife: I have a 12" Stubai for peeling logs and rounding split posts. Not a finishing tool.
Froe: the original shake splitter. I had a smith make one for me.
I split western red cedar blocks maybe once a month for carving projects.
Elbow & D adzes: Ancient designs but as modern as yesterday for roughing all the way to textured surfaces.
= = =
I've been asked where such tools come from, mine are all very modern.

 

[Laurentius]

I do, and a slasher.

 

[Wildgoose]

I have a Italian billhook made by rinaldi. It’s longer than most uk bill hooks and has a more pronounced hook. Will go through wrist thick timber with one good sweep.

I also have a bulldog one that arrived in a terrible state. Took a lot of filing and grinding to get any sort of edge on it. I then coated the blade in paint stripper to get it back down to metal. I’m quite happy with it now.

 

[santaman2000]

Are there any other old tools used in the distant past (in the UK) that's on danger of being forgotten but are actually very useful?

Not really the “distant” past, nor confined to the UK, but the most useful tool I regret watching decline is an old fashioned book. Or a newspaper.

 

[Paul_B]

Not really the “distant” past, nor confined to the UK, but the most useful tool I regret watching decline is an old fashioned book. Or a newspaper.

Oh I got one of those recently, from a "library". They give free books out! How quaint.

PS are you supposed to take them back? I keep getting snotty letters through the post demanding money and the book back.

Seriously, we use the library round the corner from us a lot. Use it or lose it! Personally I can't concentrate enough for books. Not enough going on with them. It's a trait of mine that I'm probably too long in the tooth to get sorted.

Personally I like the paper book and the ebook on a kindle (not the tablet kindle the e-ink one). Both work for me as a media form just don't have the patience.

Although I don't see how books are tools? Tools are things you use to convert materials. A pen coverts a blank page into a manuscript, a printing press converts paper into a book or magazine or newspaper. The newspaper or book is the end result. Unless you get very esoteric and claim the book converts the reader's understanding.

 

[Janne]

Tools for the intellectuals.

 

[simplefool]

I bought a billhook to clear the thoroughly overgrown garden when we moved into our new house. Made clearing the briars and hazel an enjoyable task in the end. That fact plus a couple of near misses with my shins sobered me up and made me respect it for the capable tool that it is.

I also used it to clear an apparently forgotten path in our local wood.

Not seen much use since though. Would be happy for an excuse to use it again.

 

[Zingmo]

I keep meaning to knock up one of these:
https://brico-casa.it/det/porta-roncola-forgiato-c0080-p343680

Z

 

[Janne]

What is that?

 

[Wildgoose]

I keep meaning to knock up one of these:
https://brico-casa.it/det/porta-roncola-forgiato-c0080-p343680

If you do give me a shout please, been after one for ages but nowhere will ship just one to the uk. Used one in France and it was brilliant

 

[Wildgoose]

What is that?

It’s a belt hook to hang a billhook from

 

[Janne]

A billhook belthook!

 

[Woody girl]

I could get hooked on using one of those

 

[Paul_B]

Would it take a Yorkshire or is that dependent on your height?

Anyone own a scythe? I've used a sickle for cutting long grass before now but I've always wondered how much easier a scythe would be.

How many traditional tools like these have become uncommon for people to own?