An antique Swedish skäkta, a hand-carved wooden flax scutching knife, dated 1866.
Flax scutching knives were used on Scandinavian farms to prepare flax for spinning. After the flax stalks were broken, the long wooden blade was swung against the fibers to beat away the last woody pieces, leaving the soft fibers that were spun and woven into linen. These tools were often carved and dated as gifts, and today they are collected as one of the classic objects of Swedish rural folk art.
The knife is carved from a single piece of wood, with a long, flat blade, an open hand grip and a small hooked tip at the end of the handle. A row of chip-carved triangles runs along the blade, above the carved initials A K E J S D and the date 1866. The wood has a warm honey-brown patina, and the grip is worn smooth from use.
A striking piece to hang on the wall or display on a shelf with other Scandinavian folk art and antique wooden tools.
Condition: antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. Scratches, small holes, dark marks and some edge wear. Please see all photos for details.
Ships from Sweden. US orders are shipped with duties and taxes prepaid.
All sales final – no returns for change of mind. Items damaged in transit, significantly not as described or sent in error are fully covered – please see our Returns & Refund Policy.
