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 knife is 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. Near the handle, a small chevron is cut into the blade, possibly an owner’s mark (bomärke), as Swedish farmers often marked their own tools. The wood has weathered to a soft silver-gray, with a deeply textured grain on the blade, natural knots and a darker patina where the hand held the grip.
A striking primitive piece to hang on the wall or display with other Scandinavian folk art and antique wooden tools.
Measurements: length 44 cm (17.3 in), blade width 8 cm (3.1 in), thickness 1 cm (0.4 in).
Condition: antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. Weathered surface with raised grain, small cracks along the blade, natural knots with a small hole, and dark marks. Please see all photos for details.
Ships from Sweden. US orders are shipped with duties and taxes prepaid.
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