Antique Swedish Primitive Flax Scutching Knife, Hand Carved Wooden Skäkta, Weathered Farmhouse Folk Art Tool

An antique Swedish skäkta, a hand-carved wooden flax scutching knife.

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.

This is a plain working tool, carved from a single piece of wood, with a long, slightly curved blade, a straight hand grip and a small hooked end on the handle. The wood has weathered to a soft silver-gray, with a raised, textured grain and darker patina where the hand held the grip for years of use.

A striking primitive piece to hang on the wall or display with other Scandinavian folk art and antique wooden tools.

Measurements: length 40 cm (15.7 in), blade width 10 cm (3.9 in), thickness 1.5 cm (0.6 in).

Condition: antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. Weathered surface, cracks along the blade, a crack where the blade meets the handle, small holes and dark marks, and a small white paint mark near the handle. Please see all photos for details.

Ships from Sweden. US orders are shipped with duties and taxes prepaid.

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