Billhooks "use cases"

[oleg]

Hi,

There are at least several examples of billhooks found at Lagore, Deer Park farms. It required quite a lot of iron to produce, and I don't quite understand typical usage scenarios at that time. What are the use cases for billhooks except for creating hedgerows?

The device is quite unusual for our region (Ukraine).

[will]

Hi Oleg,
it´s a common tool here in central europe. In Germany we call it Hippe or Gertel. It´s quite useful for cutting branches from trees, chopping small bushes or even as a sicle. Foresters, gardeners and farmers use them like machetes or small axes. Because of the hook at the front you can not only chop with it but also slice or rip. There´s a good article on wikipedia, unfortunately in german. Just search for 'Hippe'.

[oleg]

Thanks, Jürgen, it's been helpful.
I was amazed by the number of name variations in different lands.