Anyone Recommend A Billhook?

[air gun ant 1,666]

I fancy trying to have a go at laying some of the hedges at my parents house, can anyone recommend a decent billhook and maybe a good book to get the basics from? Cheers ant

[shepp 2,285]

You can usually find them at car boot sales, probably be better steel and feel better in the hand than a new one.

Best way to learn is to join up with the local hedge layers society. Round here it's Surrey Hedge Layers, they lay on saturdays during the winter. You are running out of time for this year so best act quickly.

You may also get on on ebay.

[trenchfoot 4,243]

I've a few old style ones, but this takes some beating

 

http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/10/gerbers-brush-thinner-machete/

[Caravan Monster 323]

A pruning saw and a pair of loppers would be fine to get started. A small chainsaw would be handy, especially if the hedge is old. Wouldn't worry too much about billhooks and axes unless you want to get involved in hedge laying competitions. Take a look at how other people have laid hedges locally and have a go on a small bit and see how it grows back during the year.

[greenman33 37]

"Southern Counties" is a good one and will cost less than 15 quid new and loppers and draw saw are handy too. The library will have a book on hedge laying but (as sheep above said) there will be a group ( or local college will also do a one day course) near you that will let you learn for nothing. YouTube also has several good vids. Also, you need to do it before end of this month. PS Great fun.