Lethal yard tool--the Brush Hook

[Cosmoline]

I've been using this medieval-looking device called a "brush hook." Here's a link:

http://www.pro-outdoors.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/p-140001.html?E+scstore

I gave it a good edge, and at this point it will take down smaller spruce trees with a single blow. It's also very well balanced. The blade combines elements of a hammer and an axe.

 

[Sir Galahad]

This is the tool that provided the inspiration for the medieval halberds and billing hooks. When the peasant levies were called up to fight, they usually came with what they had. Some people probably saw the effectiveness of it and improved on it. In the Classical Age, the Thracians had a variation called a romphia or falx and it was said it could go through cuirboille curraises pretty easy. The advantages are the ability to hook an opponant behind the knees and disable him. Also unhorse cavalry and disable horses. Also go under sheilds and pull apart sheild walls. Lop off heads, disembowel, parry other pole weapons and swords, and keep footmen at a distance. You've found yourself a great, traditional pole arm there! At a great price, if I may say so!

 

[Bruz]

Yep, I would not wanna get hit with either end of that!

 

[jmbg29]

Some calls it a sling-blade, I calls it a kaiser-blade...mmmhuh.

 

[bobs1066]

If you search thru 'antique' stores that have old farm tools, you can find these for about $15.00.

If I ever have to lop off the head of a churl, I reckon he won't mind that I'm using a second-hand chopper.

Cheap, that's me.

 

[tex_n_cal]

hmmm....looks sorta like the tool Buffy used to save the world, last Tuesday.