Billhooks, What Pattern do you use and for what?

[Turnip]

Hi Folks,

Thought it might be nice to have a thread on billhooks, what people use them for and what pattern they prefer? Because, well, axes are so 2013!

I recently got a Morris Tenterden which so far has only cut some new bean poles (I've heard it's their right of passage!) so am curious what do you folks use yours for and why?

Cheers

Jon

 

[ozzy1977]

I have a Suffolk pattern that I used to use for hedge laying and coppice work, and a Morris spar hook for splitting rods, I do have others though for spares and lending to trustworthy peoples

 

[kristophish]

I have a few but this is the one I use the most. No idea what pattern it is

 

[mr dazzler]

Mines a "Surfurk paatten" too. I used it earlier today to tear down a decrepit pergola that was encrusted with carelessly pruned vines and wild wisteria. It went clean through 1 to 2 inch stems with one pass, only they were at all sorts of odd angles.
I recently did a little carving with it
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117142&highlight=billhook+carve
In a few weeks I will use it for to fetch in some hazel coppice poles....
cheers Jonathan (Suffolk)

 

[Dave Budd]

I use whichever comes to hand first

Mostly though, either use a Fussels Bristol pattern or one of my own Devon(ish) patterns. I tend to use mine for woodland management (mostly snedding and clearing)

 

[MartiniDave]

My main user billhook is a Morris Newton. I find it comes in very handy out and about on the shoot for all sorts of trimming jobs. It's surprisingly good for clearing flushing breaks in maize cover crops.
I also use an old Nash double edged which belonged to my mother's step mother, which she used to chop her kindling, I often use it for prepping greenwood branches ready to season for burning.
I've made plywood sheaths for both for safe storage and transport.

Dave

 

[woof]

Torn between a bill hook & a kukri, trouble is i want both !

Rob

 

[John Fenna]

This is mine and I use it coz I loves it!
An old Elwell that is by far the handiest tool for the most jobs

 

[bob_the_baker]

Mine is an Elwell Hertford pattern billhook. I use it for nearly all my slashy/choppy jobs. I am planning on getting it a big brother, a Yorkshire pattern, for when one handed swinging is just not enough

 

[Jared]

A yorkshire billhook.

Hedgelaying, snedding/limbing, coppicing and as a small axe for cutting notches when felling smaller diameter trees.

 

[HHazeldean]

I've got a Staniforths Severquick (love that name!) and its one of my favourite tools, is massively versatile and also massively cheap - mine was £13 (I think) at an antique shop, just needed a bit of love and attention and now its an awesome tool. I use it for all sorts, mainly carving atm and it performs great for that.

 

[ozzy1977]

I have a staniforth severquick great tool, I changed to the Suffolk hook because I am from Suffolk.

 

[woof]

Just orderd a new one off ebay, for a tenner, all in so i think its Chinese, we'll see when it arrives.

Rob

 

[Turnip]

Anyone tried a knighton pattern? looks basically a flat edge, wodered if it would be good for carving?

 

[British Red]

Anyone tried a knighton pattern? looks basically a flat edge, wodered if it would be good for carving?

I use a Knighton pattern


Elwell Knighton Bill Hook by British Red, on Flickr



In Sheath by British Red, on Flickr

Very useful for chopping sticks for kindling, splitting, cutting brash etc. A hook is better for limbing and hedge laying I find


Bill Hook4 by British Red, on Flickr

 

[unruly]

I have a Morris Llandeilo Bill Hook that I use for hedge laying.

The Llandeilo pattern has a small notch on the rear known as a hedge grip, used by hedge layers to push brash, bundles and bleachers into position without the need to handle them.

 

[mr dazzler]

The extended point probally makes it more usable than the majority of hooks (for carving, that is)-including my suffolk one, with their down turned hook points. You could do a certain amount of tight concave work with it.

 

[woodstock]

Bill hook No 4 great for clearing brambles, we have a farmers market the last Sat. of the month lots and lots of bargains to be had, the last good find was a Martindale golock i think i paid about 8 or 9 pounds for it.

 

[milius2]

I do not own any, but my experience with machete is so good, that now I thinking it time to forge some maybe that would be a nice project to share with fellow blacksmiths on this forum.... ?

 

[Chilliphil]

Here is what I have, no idea what you would call it, but I use it primarily for kindling. Bought it off the bay last year.