Hay Knife, circa 1850
Add to SetSummary
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to feed hay to their livestock all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives made by blacksmiths to cut out chunks for feed. The smiths forged wrought-iron blades with a long cutting edge. The wooden handle was set on a tang (a pointed metal extension of the handle) and secured with a metal collar for durability.
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to feed hay to their livestock all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives made by blacksmiths to cut out chunks for feed. The smiths forged wrought-iron blades with a long cutting edge. The wooden handle was set on a tang (a pointed metal extension of the handle) and secured with a metal collar for durability.
Artifact
Hay knife
Date Made
circa 1850
On Exhibit
at Greenfield Village in Soybean Lab Agricultural Gallery
Object ID
00.4.35
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Iron (Metal)
Dimensions
Width: 15 in
Length: 25.5 in
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