Hay Knife, circa 1860
Add to SetSummary
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to make hay to feed their livestock all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives to cut out chunks for feed. The farmer who used this knife likely put one foot on the metal rod to push the blade into the haystack, and then pulled on the wooden handle to drag the blade out. Someone repaired the broken handle with a wrought-iron band and screws.
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to make hay to feed their livestock all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives to cut out chunks for feed. The farmer who used this knife likely put one foot on the metal rod to push the blade into the haystack, and then pulled on the wooden handle to drag the blade out. Someone repaired the broken handle with a wrought-iron band and screws.
Artifact
Hay knife
Date Made
circa 1860
Place of Creation
On Exhibit
at Greenfield Village in Soybean Lab Agricultural Gallery
Object ID
00.4.18
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Iron (Metal)
Dimensions
Width: 5 in
Length: 37 in
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