Bill hook

[Tor helge]

This is a old bill hook I bought in the 80`s that I`ve re-handled. The old handle was of wood, painted blue (horrible).
I had it in my car for a long time and finally decided to do something with it.
The bill hook is actually a good bushcraft tool. Excellent for collecting firewood, making shelter and so on.
The metal is on the soft side, but holds an edge fairly well, and is easy to sharpen.
The new handle is a piece if reindeer antler. I put in a brass plate in front and a leather spacer.
The tang is only about 10-12 cm long, but wide and strong. I used epoxy glue (Araldite) to attatch the handle and I secured it with a brass pin.

Now I have to make a sheath for it.

Tor

 

[bushwacker bob]

WOW a billhook with class! :You_Rock_

 

[leon-b]

very nice mate
leon

 

[chrisanson]

Nice m8, a very under rated tool in my opinion . Nice to see some one treat with a bit of respect
chris

 

[nitram55]

That is well tasty, well done.

Martin

 

[sam_acw]

I like it.
I always have the idea that a bill hook would be better than an axe for most activities aside from felling trees and carpentry. There must have been a reason why they were so popular!
It is also intersting to see how every culture has a machete type device.

 

[CLEM]

Very nice,they are a very underated tool in my opinion.I have a bulldog hook myself,wouldent mind having a custom version made mind you,that would be interesting.

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

Nice work Tor - looks great :You_Rock_

I've had various machetes from Martindale to the Lofty Wiseman - I gotta say that a good sharp billhook seems to be just as good if not better to use in the UK.

Phil.

 

[CLEM]

This is something Ive been saying for a long time meself.I wonder if one of the skilled knifesmiths over on British Blades could make a custom bushcraft special Bill hook in top quality steel and fancy wooden handle?

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

This is something Ive been saying for a long time meself.I wonder if one of the skilled knifesmiths over on British Blades could make a custom bushcraft special Bill hook in top quality steel and fancy wooden handle?

Hi Clem,

I'd be interested in one - I love custom kit, ahhh.... I just love kit

Be very interested in getting this sorted - although prolly a good idea to do it in the new year when things have calmed down and there is some spare cash

I believe that Dave Budd had a custom billhook on show at Wilderness Gathering - he did some work for me there and I'd be glad to contact him as he's a smashing chap.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

[Jack]

Very nice Tor.

What you have there is a very nice Knighton billhook.

You don't need to have a 'bushcraft' hook made as there is a hook that will do the job for you and then some. The hook pattern is callled a Newton, it is by far more superior than any axe that you may come across and dare I say it (be prepared for a hugh mind shift here) makes a Small Forest Axe look completely outdated and out classed.

Cheers.

Jack.

 

[falcon]

Very nice Tor.

What you have there is a very nice Knighton billhook.

You don't need to have a 'bushcraft' hook made as there is a hook that will do the job for you and then some. The hook pattern is callled a Newton, it is by far more superior than any axe that you may come across and dare I say it (be prepared for a hugh mind shift here) makes a Small Forest Axe look completely outdated and out classed.

Cheers.

Jack.

Aww I love it......Jack's got a glint in his eye and fancies bringing an old debate back to life...... I've spent the last couple of years nearly agreeing with you. I'd accept this in most respects except one....when cutting thick, dead standing timber. This stuff can be hard as iron and both drains a lot more of your energy and the jarring and vibration factors increases as well. It is probably down to inferior technique compared to the professional but I think the superior point loading of the axe makes for a more efficient use of energy in this particular task. . No.....???????

 

[Jack]

Hi mate.

Not going to argue with you there (wanting to but behaving myself today), the axe is designed for chopping and of course over tens of thousands of years you are never going to improve it.

That said I believe that it so over rated in it's use in the Bushcraft world - it seems to be one of those bits of kit that we all carry for no other than you just do or because Ray Mears carried one. If we all stop and thought about it, we would soon realise that the axe is an awkward piece of kit to carry and is a bit of pain to use in every activity a part from felling anything over 4" in diameter - but then I could show a way of doing that with a hook.

Cheers.

Jack.

 

[falcon]

Having seen your demos at the Wilderness Gathering in the past I can well believe you can........maybe banter can be resumed there sometime.. Interestingly the Saami (sp) people certainly vote for something similar in their use of the Leuku so you have some good allies.. ATB

 

[penvisser]

Looks very nice and very useful, I am going to make one for myself, thanks for the inspiration! :You_Rock_

 

[British Red]

So, do you have an online source for the Newton hook Jack? Been toying with a bill hook for a while and it sounds like you have evaluated a few - is there a reason you don't like the Yorkshire pattern?

Red

 

[Jack]

So, do you have an online source for the Newton hook Jack? Been toying with a bill hook for a while and it sounds like you have evaluated a few - is there a reason you don't like the Yorkshire pattern?

Red

Hi Red.

Having 12 forged a week today so can put your name on list if you want one!

The Yorkshire is a 2' hedge laying bill, extremely powerful but not to good for Bushcraft.......

Cheers.

Jack.

 

[Seagull]

Question for you, Jack...

Is there a billhook technique that allows the splitting of logs?

Ceeg

 

[sam_acw]

So the Newton 'Hook is a good pattern but who is a reliable maker?
I've checked out E-bay but it is hard to tell what condition the older ones are in - no one ever photographs the edge
I don't mind sharpening one but don't really want to have to grind it from scratch

 

[PWork]

Nice job on that billhook. Very nicely done.

I just got the Fiskars Brush Axe. Would this be considered a Newton pattern blade? I think this is going to be very useful.