Billhook - which one?

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Billhook - which one?
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robkb

Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 4205
Location: SE London

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:37 pm Post subject: Billhook - which one?
Does anyone have any specific recommendations? Needed mainly for clearance of brambles etc at the end of my allotment.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:40 pm Post subject:
Its such a hard thing to define! If it feels good in the hand, if it'll take a good edge, then its the right billhook. Without trying a few out, its pretty much impossible to know which is the right one. For bramble clearance, I recall using a Devon bill hook when out with the BTCV a couple of times, and I couldn't have asked for a better tool. Well, petrol and a match maybe.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 43773
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:42 pm Post subject:
for brashing a fairly long handle and a long narrow blade is best iirc stanley make one called a brush hook, for about�20 mine was fine til i lost it even though it was bright orange

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:43 pm Post subject:
For brambles,you wont a long handled Slasher,easier on the back,and you can drag the cut brambles out.

robkb

Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 4205
Location: SE London

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:46 pm Post subject:

cab wrote:

petrol and a match maybe.

Cheers Cab.

Actually I've just been looking at the Devon on the BTCV website which suggests that's what I want. Just need to find somewhere nearby that sells them now.

robkb

Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 4205
Location: SE London

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:47 pm Post subject:
And cheers dpack and Ty Gwyn as well.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:52 pm Post subject:
I found my billhooks tend to pull the brambles towards me so avoid using it from bramble clearance and use a small machete. If you wish to remove the bramble roots as well then I've found a rake is hard work but it pulls the roots out as well.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 43773
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:52 pm Post subject:
a small folding pruning saw will deal with any thick bits

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 43773
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 3:55 pm Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

I found my billhooks tend to pull the brambles towards me so avoid using it from bramble clearance and use a small machete. If you wish to remove the bramble roots as well then I've found a rake is hard work but it pulls the roots out as well.

a sharp edge and a flicky strike with follow through avoids that problem with most hooks

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 4:27 pm Post subject:

dpack wrote:

Treacodactyl wrote:

a sharp edge and a flicky strike with follow through avoids that problem with most hooks

They edge is reasonably sharp and cuts through several stems but often catches on others when tackling a thicket in limited space. Still, I've got plenty to practice on.

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 4:36 pm Post subject:
A mattock works well with brambles, you can get a good swing on it in a limited space. Sharpening the edge helps.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 43773
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 4:43 pm Post subject:
i try to clear a patch by working along a line and pulling the cuttings out and throwing them behind but brambles can have other ideas slash slash backslash pull ,it should be flowing to make it easy ,steady is fastest with brambles

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 43773
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 4:44 pm Post subject:
find the ground with a hook and mattock the roots is a tidy idea

Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 5:27 pm Post subject:
When I was a kid an old chap we knew always had a hooked stick in his left hand when he used a sickle for nettles & stuff. He reckoned that he could sickle nettles all day in shorts & singlet & never get a sting. Should work with brambles as well?

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 11 5:35 pm Post subject:
Doubtful although worth a go. Brambles don't tend to stand like nettles and are less compliant to the gentle pressure of a stick.

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