Good billhook that doesn't break the bank?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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I tested out the Billhook knife concept and really like it. The Gerber works really well on Goat weed and small softwood tree saplings but it is too thin and lightweight to do really well in heavy grass and weeds much less against really tough larger woody weeds and flexible trees.

With good speed, it will really mow stuff down but, it lacks mass to have good follow through and slows down fast upon contact. The steel is also a bit soft for my tastes.

What is an upgrade for me that won't break the bank?

TIA,
Sid
 
Pilsner said:
You could do worse than look at a UK maker, such as Morris of Dunsford. :)
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Sadly, the quality of Morris billhooks is not at the same level as those of Rinaldi, which is generally considered to be among the best remaining production manufacturers today. Also, finding UK shops willing to ship internationally is tricky. Most of 'em don't want to.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Sadly, the quality of Morris billhooks is not at the same level as those of Rinaldi, which is generally considered to be among the best remaining production manufacturers today. Also, finding UK shops willing to ship internationally is tricky. Most of 'em don't want to.
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Shame. It's such a traditional tool over here. Hope the OP gets a good one. (My Morris is fine - not the best F&F, but a very decent tool.)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Sadly, the quality of Morris billhooks is not at the same level as those of Rinaldi, which is generally considered to be among the best remaining production manufacturers today. Also, finding UK shops willing to ship internationally is tricky. Most of 'em don't want to.
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Pilsner said:
Shame. It's such a traditional tool over here. Hope the OP gets a good one. (My Morris is fine - not the best F&F, but a very decent tool.)
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Thanks! I tried to buy a Swedish axe a while back which was ~$42 retail if I was there in person. Shipping was just under $100 USD! :eek: VAT, customs, shipping, etc. all put this out my reach financially. :(

Shame too. It looked like just the perfect small axe I was searching for.
 
Sid Post said:
Thanks! I tried to buy a Swedish axe a while back which was ~$42 retail if I was there in person. Shipping was just under $100 USD! :eek: VAT, customs, shipping, etc. all put this out my reach financially. :(

Shame too. It looked like just the perfect small axe I was searching for.
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I know it, brother. Every time I order direct from the USA I am murdered by shipping cost and import duty. :(
 
How do the Rinaldi and Angelo B. compare to each other? What's the best model of each brand for woody stemmed weeds, light limbing, and newly sprouted trees?
 
Rinaldi is the more premium of the two, with distal taper and harder steel, but the Angelo B. billhooks are still quite nice. They each offer patterns and/or handle options that the other does not, so it's really more a matter of preference and context of use. Really any of them will work for that work, but you'd probably be well-served by the Lucca or Fermo patterns, with the former having a more closed hook, and the latter a more open one.
 
How about a Woodsman's Pal? I'm a novice on this stuff and may be showing it. I own a Gerber/Fiskars version that I use occasionally. But, I've always been intrigued by the Woodsman's Pal. Just haven't had enough need to pony up the $$.
 
To keep the critique simple, let's just say I'm not a big fan of the Woodman's Pal. The Baryonyx Machete was, in part, designed to eat its lunch. It has nothing to offer over a billhook with a good belly to it.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
To keep the critique simple, let's just say I'm not a big fan of the Woodman's Pal. The Baryonyx Machete was, in part, designed to eat its lunch. It has nothing to offer over a billhook with a good belly to it.
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So if the Baryonyx machete eats the Pal's lunch, who pays the "bill?" Aside from us, of course, because you sell all those neat tools and I am already on the "hook" for a Kingfisher. Take my money!
 
The Woodsman's Pal is a blade that intrigued me as well. I haven't used one much but, the Fiskars/Gerber billhook is better IMHO for how I have used them both. ;)

For similar money, I expect the Rinaldi to be the clear winner in heavy grass, thickets, and woody weeds or anything similar. The Woodsman Pal as I remember it was a bit thick all over so, while good on "wood", it would not work well for my use today which is typically thinner and lighter material.
 
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