Used in the 19th centuryA bill hook or axe-handled slasher which is an axe-handled forged metal blade with a strong curved sharp axe like edge and a straight secondary edge on the back. It has a broken wooden handle with steel or a tang which passed through the handle if it were still attached. There is stamped on the blade near the handle join - '2'. The original finish of the blade would have been, 'Japanned' which is baked black enamel. It was used to cut back scrub, small trees and woody vegetation in the 19th century.'2' stamped on the blade near where it joins the handle.slashers, cutting tools, bill hook slasher, gardening tools, agricultural tools