The billhook is a tool common throughout Europe, Mexico, South America and much of Asia (it was developed independently in India, China and Japan, and taken to other countries by European settlers)... It was included in many lists of tools of British emigrés to the USA (or the American Colonies as it was then), and also taken over by German and Finnish immigrants (and many others)... It was a common tool in the Revolutionary War period, often known as a fascine knife, and also made in the USA in the late 19th and early 20th centuries... In the West Indies it 'morphed' into the sugar cane knife, which is also still common in the USA...
Collins sold a version (although stamped Made in Germany) it was listed in the American Axe Company catalogues, and at least one small independent maker made leather handled patterns (ex Italy) in California. It was reinvented as the Woodman's Pal by a Swiss emigré, Frederick Ehrsam, and later (circa 1941) became adopted by the USMC as the LC-14-B jungle and survival (machete type) tool.
It's big brothers, the bush (or brush) axe or hook are common, yet the humble billhook, that most invaluable of tools for coppice work and green woodwork has all but disappeared fro the american psyche...
It appears in images of medieval carpenter's shops in Dutch paintings, and a variant, the coopers knife, with a single bevel, was used in many European (but not UK/British) coopers shops well into the 20th century, so it can also be a useful addition to the carpenter's tool kit..
Prior to the invention of the secateurs for pruning, c 1830 (they did not become widespread until the late 19th century) they were used for all pruning of fruit trees, shrubs, roses, hedges and grape vines - and small ones were used for the grape harvests...
As a boy in the UK I used one for chopping kindling wood, and every household had one - they are still common place in much of Europe, and several Italian makers still offer a great range of regional variations in blade shape (one French maker in 1935 showed over 200 patterns in their catalogue, and stated they had the patterns for over 3000 different shapes - and would make any other to order upon receipt of a drawing or a paper template - in a later 1960's catalogue they also stated they had over 7000 patterns of scythe and 5000 patterns of sickles).
So why did this tool all but disappear in the USA????
For more info, please see my website:
www.billhooks.co.ukBelow a few tools bought in French 'brocantes' and 'vide greniers' in 2012...