54
	Heritage North
	1943

Billhook

This one is a Yorkshire bill. It is a two handed type. Many of the English counties had their own type, reflecting the sort of agriculture they were designed to be the main utility tool for. The main use of big ones like this was hedging. They became adopted by FC as they were so useful for cutting woody vegetation, removing branches and most commonly marking trees for thinning. Other similar tools were 'slashers'. These were lighter but also two handed and were known locally in some places as hedge knives. Many foresters used to carry one at all times. The slasher was such an iconic forestry tool that it was chosen as the name of the FC newspaper which I think began before the war. The 'Slasher' is still going and appears about twice a year. Thanks to Malcolm Wield.
Picture Added on 15 February 2007.

If you found this interesting, have a look at the following groups of pictures.
Tools and clothing