Object number
99/31
Creator
Description
Hedging hook used in clearance work of laying a hedge. Made by Elwell number 3804.
Hedging hooks are used in the preliminary clearance work of laying a hedge for cutting away rough overgrowth, shrubs and trees not to be used in the hedge, and also in general hedge cutting and tidying. Upward strokes of the hook are used to cut the stems cleanly without splitting. This hook is a long-handled slasher, used for work on high hedges. The curved blade is stamped 'Elwell 3804' and the polished wooden handle is rivetted into the socket.
Physical description
1 hedge slasher: metal; wood; good condition
Label Text
4. Slasher. This slasher is stamped 'Elwell 3804'. The 1966 catalogue of Edward Elwell Ltd illustrates thirteen different patterns of slasher. Type 3804 is described as a heavy duty, general pattern. The hickory handle could be 30 or 36 inches long (762 or 914 mm) and the blade was 15.75 inches (400 mm). The price then was 41/6d (£2.07) each for the shorter version and 44 shillings (£2.2) for the longer. 99/31.
Archival history
MERL Handwritten Accession Form (Museum of English Rural Life) – ‘Recorder: JMB // Date: 17.9.99 // Description: This hook or slasher has a long curved blade with a long wooden handle rivetted into a socket. The handle is polished and flairs out at the end. // Stamped: ELWELL 3804 // Dimensions: Overall length: 133.0 cm // Length of blade & fixing: 60.0 cm // 36” handle // Associated information: No other information // References: TR SPE P2/A6’
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