Hedgelaying 'kit'

[JJT]

Nephews 16th, trying to think of a suitable present. He's getting into hedgelaying so was wondering about getting him a few tools
So for all the hedgelayers out there, what would be considered a good range of tools?

 

[stroller]

Small chainsaw?

 

[Peckerhead]

Nice 2nd hand hook in the local style that he will be proud to use at his 1st competition

 

[organicguy]

Nice billhook, not a modern one, with a leather belt guard.
Local style is nice but most people end up with a Yorkshire style because of it multiple uses.
How about a training course?
BHHA do brilliant ones, also Midland style available. There is sponsorship available from NHLS, all on website.

 

[Danllan]

IF you can find one, a decent hedging mitten - left if he is right-handed and vice versa; needs to be really thick to cope with blackthorn.

However, thinking on it, he's probably still growing, so maybe as above, get him a decent billhook of the local pattern - Westmorland for you, see below - and a pair of heavy welding gloves. Maybe a decent stone to keep the edge too.

Or... give him a day with a fellow whose hedging you really think is good. The tips he'll get from laying to tool maintenance will stand him well forever.

 

[Nearly]

sharpening stone, tape measure and invoice book?

 

[renewablejohn]

excavator and tree shear

 

[Tubbylew]

+1 for nice billhook, a good set of lopers would be next on my list followed by a silky saw, he can buy his own tree shears they're expensive.

 

[Kidds]

I bought one of these recently and was impressed by the quality.
Not cheap but nothing good is.

Woodland Craft Supplies - Yorkshire Billhook

A traditional Yorkshire pattern billhook, made to our exacting standards, here in the UK. This tool comes razor sharp and ready to use. The handle is made of Ash, and is finished with linseed oil.

woodlandcraftsupplies.co.uk

 

[Gone Shooting]

Old car for bombing around the fields - have some fun and be a better driver - plenty of time for work.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I got hold of an old Billhook from an old guy i know , sharpens up lovely , just like the feel of it , hes look for a brushing hook for me now

 

[organicguy]

ROSTAING Ripeur 2 Level F Cut Gloves - SafetyGloves.co.uk

Buy the ROSTAING Ripeur 2 Level F Cut-Resistant Safety Gloves from SafetyGloves.co.uk for £22.42 with Free UK delivery over £40. Dexterous design.

www.googleadservices.com

A pair of these, 10 times better than welding gloves, thorns don't go through them. The only weakness is they are a bit short in the arm, I have seen someone stitch welding glove arms onto them.

 

[Danllan]

I got hold of an old Billhook from an old guy i know , sharpens up lovely , just like the feel of it , hes look for a brushing hook for me now

Yep, I inherited an old 'Carmarthen' style hook and it's better made, balanced and keeps a better edge that my well-made but recently bought one - and is better than one I made... But I learnt from that and forged a very good sparhook out of a worn farrier's rasp.


Just had a look, my old one is an Elwell.

 

[organicguy]

next project

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Yep, I inherited an old 'Carmarthen' style hook and it's better made, balanced and keeps a better edge that my well-made but recently bought one - and is better than one I made... But I learnt from that and forged a very good sparhook out of a worn farrier's rasp.


Just had a look, my old one is an Elwell.

Mine is an Elwell

 

[ThickEric]

16 is far too young to risk loosing an eye to hawthorn or blackthorn, so please get him a pair of safety specs too.

May be more likely to wear them if you get something that looks trendy, such as lightly tinted bolle.

 

[Danllan]

16 is far too young to risk loosing an eye to hawthorn or blackthorn, so please get him a pair of safety specs too.

May be more likely to wear them if you get something that looks trendy, such as lightly tinted bolle.

Good point, rather stupidly that didn't even occur to me; I never have had an eye injury from hedging, but I have come bloody close on many occasions.

 

[ploughman1963]

I bought one of these recently and was impressed by the quality.
Not cheap but nothing good is.

Woodland Craft Supplies - Yorkshire Billhook

A traditional Yorkshire pattern billhook, made to our exacting standards, here in the UK. This tool comes razor sharp and ready to use. The handle is made of Ash, and is finished with linseed oil.

woodlandcraftsupplies.co.uk

I bought a seconhand Elwell Yorkshire billhook for £140 last year and dont regret a penny of it - you cant underestimate the value of good quality steel in a billhook for sharpening, keeping sharp and working safely. If you buy him a billhook make sure its a good (old) one not some new tool made out of toffee.

 

[ploughman1963]

Good point, rather stupidly that didn't even occur to me; I never have had an eye injury from hedging, but I have come bloody close on many occasions.

I would agree on the safety glasses - cant believe how many times ive taken a hit on them since ive worn them for the last three years.

 

[ploughman1963]

Another suggestion would be a pair of 'Ripeur 2' gloves from Safety Hut online. £25 a pair but they are the only gloves that will keep thorns out. Ive moved up to a 'Ripeur 2' type glove but in a gauntlet style - £40 a pair but theyve done over 2000m this year at £19/m without me getting pierced (through the gloves) once.