Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: Branson on July 03, 2011, 04:23:46 PM

Title: A sickle? What kind?
Post by: Branson on July 03, 2011, 04:23:46 PM

I've had this for some time, but never found its special use.  It's marked on the back of the blade:

Made in
England

About the middle of the back of the blade is stamped:

TBC

Anybody recognize this tool?

Title: Re: A sickle? What kind?
Post by: rusty on July 03, 2011, 07:27:19 PM

From what I see, it's not strictly speaking a sickle, but rather, a 'fagging hook', it is used differently than a sickle.
The blade doesn't completely hook around, it is longer, with a narrower curve, and a different handle. It also has a heavier blade. It is supposed to be used at arms length, with a fagging stick. The stick is used to bunch up the grain, the hook then is used to cut the bunched grain. They are also used for things like  trimming hedges etc.

I found several others marked with TBC, so it's a makers mark, but I can not find any references that identify it : (

Title: Re: A sickle? What kind?
Post by: Aunt Phil on July 04, 2011, 12:28:14 AM

Blister builder.
Put it back in the box and leave it alone.

Title: Re: A sickle? What kind?
Post by: walker on July 04, 2011, 07:18:33 AM

the retired farmer who lives next door to me still uses this method to
cut longish grass,he lifts the grass upright then cuts with the knife.
the stick has just one cut off branch near the bottom,i was amazed when i
saw how efficient it was.
 brian

Title: Re: A sickle? What kind?
Post by: Branson on July 04, 2011, 08:45:41 AM

>It is supposed to be used at arms length, with a fagging stick.

Eric Sloane calls these "reaping hooks."  I'm not sure one of these would help this knife much.  I've seen a lot of sickles with different sweeps, but never one that looked like this.  So I bought it...