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debranching hand tool, bill hook?

  • 27-02-2012 10:28pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi folks,

    How would a bill hook be for debranching? Mostly mature gorse. Which model would be best, I've been looking around but there seem to be a lot of them!

    ATB,

    John


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 429 ✭✭foxylock


    I cleared a fairly big area of mature gorse last year, I got almost a years worth of firewood outta them. The method I used was to limb them as they stood and then cut them into the required lenths for the stove. This way you don't have to worry about saw horses etc and you can work alone. To be honest a small Husquavarna was my saving grace, light and nimble and doesn't tire out the arms too much.

    Are you cutting to burn or just tidying up the bushes, a bill hook will bring hardship on ya if you have a lot to do.


  • Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭Jack_regan


    These are the type of bill hooks I use, I got them in the local farm shop, I think they were about €15 or €20 each. I find they work well for debranching, the lighter stuff anyway. It can get fairly hard on the hands if your doing it all day long(I must get around to putting a bit of padding on the handle!)

    I'm mainly debranching ash and conifers. The one I have is fairly light. I've seen heavier bill hooks but I wouldn't fancy swinging them around all day long. Occasionally the bill hook I have wouldn't go through the branch on the first swing so you'd have to take another swing at it so that might be the only advantage of going for a heavier model.

    Also I highly recommend the red electrical tape around the handle, it's amazing how the bill hook blends into the undergrowth when you put it down.

    I wouldn't fancy your job debranching the gorse bushes. Good luck with it!:)
    6790380848_198cb0d29d.jpg


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,583 Mod ✭✭✭✭blue5000


    OP have you tried using a pruning saw? you can get one with a hollow handle which takes a long wooden handle for going up higher.

    something like this
    http://www.gardenerslife.ie/Product_1030_Bahco-Combination-Pruning-Saw.html

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,100 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    foxylock wrote: »
    To be honest a small Husquavarna was my saving grace, light and nimble and doesn't tire out the arms too much.

    Are you cutting to burn or just tidying up the bushes, a bill hook will bring hardship on ya if you have a lot to do.

    Ditto, use a small chainsaw, Stihl 020T, much easier all round.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 262 ✭✭greenfingers89


    used a bill hook for debranching a lot of spruce before. i attached a few heavy lumps of metal to the end above the blade to add a bit of weight to make it easier to knock off the branching....if ya know what i mean:o


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  • Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭Jack_regan


    used a bill hook for debranching a lot of spruce before. i attached a few heavy lumps of metal to the end above the blade to add a bit of weight to make it easier to knock off the branching....if ya know what i mean:o

    Now there's an idea, why didn't I think of that? Something else to add to the "to do" list. Thanks


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭johngalway


    Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm not looking for a chainsaw as I already have one :) Nor a saw as I'd prefer a striking tool.

    I was looking at a Yorkshire bill hook online, got a bit of a longer handle than Jacks photo and I think it had two different edges a hook and straight edge. Could be used for hedging sometime in the future maybe. Anyone used one?

    Bushes are cut, just need to sort them and knock a few branches off. They'll be stacked, dried and burnt as firewood.


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,905 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    Can't beat a good Machete John.
    Seriously they are dynamite for debranching stuff.
    Tramontina are good but make sure you get a good long one.
    Bolo pattern carry a good bit of weight at the tip.
    I saw some in the Galway show being sold by Cavanagh nets in Greencastle co Donegal.


  • Registered Users Posts: 307 ✭✭Askim


    seen this

    WWW.honeybros.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=Swiss_Bush_Hook

    looks to have a nice long point & curve


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,570 ✭✭✭Rovi


    I've never used one, but my buddies in the U.S. swear by these:
    http://www.woodmanspal.com/
    196486.jpg


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭johngalway


    Got a right cheap bill hook off Ebay, haven't used it in anger yet but I did manage to cut myself with it before it ever left the house ho-hum :o The continuation of a long tradition :pac: Will post up a link later, heavier than it looked in the photo which is good.


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