Skip find of the day.

[crosslandkelly]

My neighbours have been clearing the end of their garden and shed today.On the top of a load of old paint tins, dried out rollers, brushes and boxes, was a rusty old billhook. I knocked and asked if I could take it, and they said yes. Will post up some pics soon.

 

[Toddy]

Excellent
I am minded of Biker's cartoon on the topic

M

 

[udamiano]

Good find, an excellent tool. all we get in skips round here are the obligatory mattress

 

[crosslandkelly]

As promised, here are the pics. It's a Brades 176, 9 inch Billhook. The surface is quite pitted and the edges have been badly abused. Also the Boxwood handle is split
in several places, only the ferrule and some string and tape holding it together, though it is still salvageable. Does anyone on the forum know anything about the maker, or how old it might be.
Thanks for looking.

 

[Macaroon]

I've got a Brades 'hook that was in about the same condition when I got it, and it came out very well.......I took the handle off as carefully as I could and put it back together with two-part epoxy then fitted it back and I've been using it for years since. I re-did the edge with a file, then a stone and some emery..........the rest I did with vinegar and it looks and works great.

I've got a few different things made by Brades, a small mattock which I use as others here use a hand trowel, a number of hammers, and I did have another 'hook which went walkies. Anything I've had of theirs has been excellent quality and worked very well; they're very well thought of on the vintage tool sites I've visited in the past and some of my elderly neighbours have various garden tools by them which they prize and have come down the years to them...............I think their heyday was from the turn of last century up to and just after the second world war, but I'm no expert.............Great Find!..atb mac

 

[crosslandkelly]

I've got a Brades 'hook that was in about the same condition when I got it, and it came out very well.......I took the handle off as carefully as I could and put it back together with two-part epoxy then fitted it back and I've been using it for years since. I re-did the edge with a file, then a stone and some emery..........the rest I did with vinegar and it looks and works great.

I've got a few different things made by Brades, a small mattock which I use as others here use a hand trowel, a number of hammers, and I did have another 'hook which went walkies. Anything I've had of theirs has been excellent quality and worked very well; they're very well thought of on the vintage tool sites I've visited in the past and some of my elderly neighbours have various garden tools by them which they prize and have come down the years to them...............I think their heyday was from the turn of last century up to and just after the second world war, but I'm no expert.............Great Find!..atb mac

I'm glad you said that about the handle, I was thinking the same thing, just to try and keep it as original as possible. The woman who let me take it, said it has been there since they bought the house in 1964. She is the second owner, and it was built in 1929. Thanks for the info mac.
I've removed the handle and ferrule, the handle is split in three, but it should be no problem to epoxy it back together.
Another pic.

 

[ozzy1977]

Nice find, even better when free, that looks like a kent pattern. Brades were one of the top makers of edged tools back in the day, in 1967 along with Elwell, Spear and Jackson and Tyzak formed Spearwell, who then later became Spear and Jackson
http://www.timelesstools.co.uk/images/bnt 1959 4.jpg

 

[crosslandkelly]

Great info Chris, thanks. look forward to reading about how you get on with your TW setup. Wish I could be up there with you guys at the weekend

 

[Macaroon]

When I glued the handle on mine, I wrapped it in wet cotton string as tightly as I could get it by hand and left it for 24 hrs., the cotton shrinks on as it dries and acts as the ultimate clamp, working on the precise shape and contours of the handle. I'm convinced that this is why it's lasted all this time without misshap............atb mac

 

[crosslandkelly]

Good idea mac.
Atb
Colin.

 

[Goatboy]

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Hiya, nice find but then you know I like billhooks a lot. It's all pretty much been said by others, bar one of the same model went on ebay recently for £26 sans p&p. Just out of interest.

Glad your going to try and fix the handle, look forward to seeing the restoration.

ATB,
Colin.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Cheers GB, great info. Nice to know I,m £26 + p+p. in pocket.
Colin.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Nice find..... Refurb all the way............. Dump it in molassas........

 

[crosslandkelly]

Haha, yes I think I'll try that method. Tescos tomorrow.
Cheers Stu.

 

[copper_head]

Nice find! Must be your lucky day .

 

[crosslandkelly]

I'd better buy a lottery ticket.
Cheers Copper_head.

 

[chas brookes]

Hi
as regards wrapping when glued an old bicycle inner tube cut into a strip about an inch wide also works as a great flexible clamp wind it on as you would a bandage and then tuck the end in

 

[Niels]

Great find! No edge that some patience and filing can't fix!

 

[crosslandkelly]

Thanks Niels, I'm going to clean the rust off first, with mollases.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Hi
as regards wrapping when glued an old bicycle inner tube cut into a strip about an inch wide also works as a great flexible clamp wind it on as you would a bandage and then tuck the end in

great idea,thanks.