68/90/2

Strickle horns such as this one, held greasing fat, often pig fat, which was applied to the surface of a harvesting strickle before pepper sand was applied. This process was generally repeated three times a day at meal times and would allow the strickle, a piece of wood shaped like a bat, to be used for the purpose of sharpening the individuals sickle blade. Strickles, and their accompanying strickle horns, were especially common in areas where there was no sandstone to make whetstones.

1 strickle horn: oak and horn. Good/fair condition

MERL Recording form - ‘Name of Object: STRICKLE and HORN // Name and Address of Owner: R.M. Davies, Mr Micro, Maidstone, Kent // 7th Sept 1968 // Who used it: William Morris, Bronllys, Brecon, farm worker // When was it used: c. 1910 // Where was it used: Lower Prthamd, Bronllys // From what materials is the object made: Oak, Horn // Is it corroded or broken or damaged in any way: Strickle- end broken handle chipped, Horn- woodworm in oak base // wood bung with ‘P’ engraved on it [pencil drawing].’, Object history research, December 2022 - 'How can this object be described? This piece of horn is cut at either end. The smooth horn has a wooden bung in the wide opening. The wood has small holes from woodworm activity. There is a P carved into the wood. // What was this object used for? This horn is a container for holding greasing fat. The fat was applied to the surface of a stickle before gritty sand was applied. // What is a strickle? A strickle is a piece of wood shaped like a bat, used for sharpening scythe blades. The fat and sand created a rough surface for sharpening the scythe metal blade. Strickles are especially common in areas where there was no sandstone to make whetstones. The blades were generally sharpened three times a day, at mealtimes. // How old is it? It was used in about 1910. // What is a scythe? A scythe is a tool used for manually cutting crops or grass. It has a sharp metal blade and a long wooden handle, usually with two hand grips. // Sharpening a scythe blade, Farmers Weekly, MERL P FW PH2/S29/3'

1910 - 1910

Wood, oak, Horn