European ... still ethnographic sickle of unusual shape

Billman · 4th November 2010, 02:11 PM

Hi

This is a typical shape of a french croissant - used for hedge cutting,and the back hook used to push loose branches back into the hedge...

Similar tools used in much of Europe - Herefordshire/Wales in Britain, most of France, Italy and Spain (and from the replies you have had, also in parts of Portugal).

Usually found with a longer handle - the blade shapes vary from the semicircular (as yours is) to squarer billhooks type... Not all types have the back hook. It is also found on some small handbills (billhooks) notably the Aberaeron pattern of Wales...

A web search for 'serpe croissant' will find many similar images...

I often see blades from these for sale on USA websites (in reputable dealers' shops), misnamed as medieval bills or pikes - some with obvious 20th century makers marks on them...

4th November 2010, 02:11 PM	#8
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Hi This is a typical shape of a french croissant - used for hedge cutting,and the back hook used to push loose branches back into the hedge... Similar tools used in much of Europe - Herefordshire/Wales in Britain, most of France, Italy and Spain (and from the replies you have had, also in parts of Portugal). Usually found with a longer handle - the blade shapes vary from the semicircular (as yours is) to squarer billhooks type... Not all types have the back hook. It is also found on some small handbills (billhooks) notably the Aberaeron pattern of Wales... A web search for 'serpe croissant' will find many similar images... I often see blades from these for sale on USA websites (in reputable dealers' shops), misnamed as medieval bills or pikes - some with obvious 20th century makers marks on them...