Billhook sharpened on one side only, why?

[Imagedude]

I've just purchased an Elwell hook via ebay. The hook is only ground on one side (convex) and is flat on t'other side. Was this done for ease of manufacture or is there a valid reason for this type of grind?

 

[NathanG]

are you sure its original and hasnt been modded by someone at some point?

 

[Imagedude]

are you sure its original and hasnt been modded by someone at some point?

No, it is in 'as new' condition.

 

[Retired Member southey]

could be for the type of cut you would use it for when laying a hedge?a little confused by your description though( my fault not yours) is it like a chisel in it profile?

 

[Imagedude]

could be for the type of cut you would use it for when laying a hedge?a little confused by your description though( my fault not yours) is it like a chisel in it profile?

Like a convex chisel.

 

[WolfCub]

It's meant to be like that. designed so a right handed hedger' can get a very fine precise final cut in to lay the pleach over.

I was given one a while back by an old boy who, after many years useing it himself, didn't want it to go to waste. Unfortunately i'm left handed and though I can lay either way wouldn't really get the very best out of it.
I passed it on to another hedger who would.

Please don't be tempted to regrind it.

 

[launditch1]

Ive wondered the same thing..I think its done for the same reason a side axe is beveled on one side only.

 

[Everything Mac]

Custom made for a lefty? - you would get a closer cut.

Andy

 

[Samon]

It's made so you get a very penetrating cut, it drives itself in the branch so it can be bent/snapped easier than a long downward cut. I ground it on my machete for that reason.

 

[Imagedude]

Just purchased a Whitehouse hook and that has the same one sided grind.

 

[Everything Mac]

Might be a very specific design to your region mate.

 

[woodgrain]

You can still buy Morris of Dunsford billhooks and request them to be ground on one side only. The descriptions given above about the nature of the cut sound spot on and they are ground thus to a give similar method of use as a side axe i.e the edge can make contact with the stem at at a much finer angle, giving more control. Some folk use billhooks for spoon carving (see Eric Roger's book) and this type of grind would certainly help. I have a Knighton pattern Morris hook ground this way but I still prefer a hatchet or axe for carving.

Hope it helps.

Graeme

 

[ozzy1977]

Both of my Suffolk pattern hooks are like that too

 

[Baggy]

(see Eric Roger's book)

It is a thin book but it is worth buying as it is a nice little book. Eric is a nice bloke and a good carver.

http://www.woodlandcraftsupplies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=51

 

[Goatboy]

We used to occasionally get large blades ground like that for "Blazing" trees (single vertical chop to remove bark) when assessing standing timber for auction sales. That way they didn't dig in if your chop was off.
I prefered my normal billhook or machette.
GB.