Hi
I collect billhooks, often called fascine knives in the USA, and wonder why these tools never became widespread in the USA or Canada, despite the influx of European immigrants who would have been familiar with them in the 'old country'. The military fascine knife seems the most common in the USA, but pre the mid 19th century all fruit trees and grape vines would have been pruned using one (the secateur was not invented until 1815, and did not become commonplace until the 1860's or later).
The billhook was included in the tools lists of immigrants from the UK, and later a few US edge tool makers did offer one in their catalogues. Its big brother, the bush (or brush) hook (c.f. the English long handed 'slasher', or the French 'croissant') is often seen, as are various shapes of sickles and corn knives, but rarely the billhook.
Go south of the border, into Mexico, and they become a commonly used tool... and some were made for the Italian wine growers in California (leather handled roncole). The Collins Axe Company sold one, but this was stamped 'Made in Germany'.... Curious....
If you happen to have one, I would be grateful for an image - post it here on the site, or send it via my website:
www.billhooks.co.ukIf you are a non UK/USA resident and reading this, I am interested in the billhooks from other countries, and the local (or dialect) name used...
