Can you read this engraving?
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Pore a little molasses onto the mark...leave for a day...wash off...
The best results I have ever had with removing rust has been this way...
Try it just once, and see the difference...
The best results I have ever had with removing rust has been this way...
Try it just once, and see the difference...
I don't have any molasses. What about white vinegar? I used to use vinegar for rust removal from the old wood working tools such as rusty plane blades, drill bits etc.Pore a little molasses onto the mark...leave for a day...wash off...
The best results I have ever had with removing rust has been this way...
Try it just once, and see the difference...
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Still have not cleaned it up due to having had to do other chores around the house. We cut down a few birch trees and blackthron bushes in the garden. Lots of work it was. Still have to clear up the twigs, leaves and cut branches all over the garden.
This billhook is quite unusual in the way that the blade is curved for better cutting the hedges or grass by swiping up the ground.
This billhook is quite unusual in the way that the blade is curved for better cutting the hedges or grass by swiping up the ground.
If you're going to use vinegar treat the whole blade rather than just the markings as you'll get an uneven etch if you decide to clean up the blade at a later date
Pore a little molasses onto the mark...leave for a day...wash off...
The best results I have ever had with removing rust has been this way...
Try it just once, and see the difference...
Will get some next time in local super. It seems have lots of good uses
Thanks.
I suspect that it’s not a bill hook but for some other purpose - cane, grass, etc.
Has @Dave Budd seen this ? I think there's something weird about the way the blade angles before it becomes the tang.
Try and match the pattern to one on here perhaps?
www.billhooks.co.uk
A Load of Old Billhooks - Maker or dealer???
This is the personal home page of Robert Burgess from Heytesbury, WIL.
www.billhooks.co.uk
Yes this is an interesting billhook. The angled blade feels, it will be more efficient in hedging and clearing bushes. Also feels very well balanced in hand even if it is a quite large billhook.
I was wondering if anyone has / uses this type of billhook (angled blade), or knows more about it (which companies used to make this type of billhook).
It looks and feels a very old antique billhook, and is definitely all original even the wooden handle (split due to age).
I was wondering if anyone has / uses this type of billhook (angled blade), or knows more about it (which companies used to make this type of billhook).
It looks and feels a very old antique billhook, and is definitely all original even the wooden handle (split due to age).
Rubbing the engraving with chalk or talc may bring out the letters a bit. Used to work on worn serial numbers.
Looks to be hand stamped, either by the smith or by the owner, my grandads tools were always marked with his initials.
Do you think it was made angled, or could it be something that has been modified (stuck in a vice and bent) by the end user?
I have an old paring knife which I bent to help cut weeds out of the lawn.
Looks to be hand stamped, either by the smith or by the owner, my grandads tools were always marked with his initials.
Do you think it was made angled, or could it be something that has been modified (stuck in a vice and bent) by the end user?
I have an old paring knife which I bent to help cut weeds out of the lawn.
I will have a go today with rubbing with chalk or talc.
The bending seems definitely done in the factory or by the original maker. I have the other old billhooks with usual straight blades, and cannot imagine bening the blades by myself. I would fear that they may snap off, if done as is.
But I suppose if you are a professional blacksmith with all the tools and skills, then it would be possible to do it by heating and forging and hammering on the anvil, if intended. I don't feel it is amateur DIY job, which is likely risking breakage or ruining the hardness of the blade.
Yes, the thickness of the spine near the handle is greater seeminglu to ensure strength of the blade, and maintaining good balance perhaps?
The bending seems definitely done in the factory or by the original maker. I have the other old billhooks with usual straight blades, and cannot imagine bening the blades by myself. I would fear that they may snap off, if done as is.
But I suppose if you are a professional blacksmith with all the tools and skills, then it would be possible to do it by heating and forging and hammering on the anvil, if intended. I don't feel it is amateur DIY job, which is likely risking breakage or ruining the hardness of the blade.
Yes, the thickness of the spine near the handle is greater seeminglu to ensure strength of the blade, and maintaining good balance perhaps?
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i can't help with the name on it (I'm not much of a geek when it comes to makers' marks on tools) but the bend to the blade is damage rather than design. Most likely it was run over by a tractor or something, a thing that I have done and I'm sure many others have!
If you are on Facebook then post pics on the Billhook Junkies group, there are plenty of folks there that are knowledgeable about such things. Bob Burgess, who runs that 'load of old billhooks' site is one of those folks and could help via an email if you don't do farcebook
If you are on Facebook then post pics on the Billhook Junkies group, there are plenty of folks there that are knowledgeable about such things. Bob Burgess, who runs that 'load of old billhooks' site is one of those folks and could help via an email if you don't do farcebook
i can't help with the name on it (I'm not much of a geek when it comes to makers' marks on tools) but the bend to the blade is damage rather than design. Most likely it was run over by a tractor or something, a thing that I have done and I'm sure many others have!
If you are on Facebook then post pics on the Billhook Junkies group, there are plenty of folks there that are knowledgeable about such things. Bob Burgess, who runs that 'load of old billhooks' site is one of those folks and could help via an email if you don't do farcebook
I have another old vintage billhook in the same shape and size, and it also has the blade exactly the same curve and angle. They actually came togetther as a set a few year ago I recall now. Will get the photo of the 2nd set tomorrow. Both of them are in too consistent perfect shape and condition for damaged billhooks by tractor
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