A billhook is a tool commonly used in the UK and Ireland and is best described as a cross between a sturdy knife and an axe.
It is often used for hedge laying, a traditional countryside skill, where the stems of a hedge of shrubs or small trees are partially cut through and then bent, near ground level, without breaking them, so as to encourage them to produce new growth from the base and create a living ‘stock-proof' fence.
The billhook is also used to prepare coppiced and pollarded wood, another traditional countryside skill, for plant supports and fence posts. This is properly called 'snedding', where the billhook is used to quickly cut the side shoots off branches. It would be excellent for doing the same to bamboo stems. In France and Italy it is widely used for pruning grape vines.
Product Details
- dimensions: 15.4 x 3.7 x 1" (392 x 95 x 26mm)
- blade length: 6.2" (160mm)
- weight: 0.7lbs (333g)
- Japanese White Oak handles
- Made in Japan
- Includes Vinyl Sheath