Hay Knife, circa 1840
Add to SetSummary
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to feed their livestock hay all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives to cut out chunks for feed. A blacksmith curved this wrought iron blade to trap hay within the cutting surface. Farmers pushed the tool down into the haystack and then pulled it out using the curved wooden handle.
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to feed their livestock hay all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives to cut out chunks for feed. A blacksmith curved this wrought iron blade to trap hay within the cutting surface. Farmers pushed the tool down into the haystack and then pulled it out using the curved wooden handle.
Artifact
Hay knife
Date Made
circa 1840
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
00.4.36
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant Material)
Metal
Color
Black (Color)
Brown
Dimensions
Height: 11 in
Width: 10 in
Length: 33 in
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