51/22

This paring knife is a thatching tool, used for trimming and smoothing ragged edges of newly laid thatch. A paring knife of this type is made by cutting a scythe blade in half and fitting a small handle parallel to the blade. This paring knife shows signs of having been used often.

1 paring knife; wood and metal; fair condition: shows considerable wear

Citation in publication [H. J. Massingham, 'Country Relics' (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1939)] - 'Before the "runners" are attached, the straw is combed layer by layer with the thatching rake...in oder to rid it of weeds and the "flag". It is then trimmed with the "paring knife...The paring knife is a shortish knife obtained by cutting the blade of a new scythe in half, with the wooden handle, just long enough to be held in the hand, parallel to the blade. This deadly looking but peace-workig implement is also used saw-wise (though its edge is not serrated) for levelling off the straw at the eaves, and my thatcher presented me with the one his [page break] father went thatching with before him.' (pp.12-13), MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘PARING KNIFE [‘(Thatcher's)’ Scored through]// DATE ACQUIRED: January, 1951 // GROUP: CRAFTS- STRAW- THATCH // NEGATIVE: 35/5 ['(6)' Scored through] // PERIOD: Before 1900 // PLACE OF ORIGIN: The H. J. Massingham Collection // NUMBER: 51/22M // DESCRIPTION: This belonged to the family of a Long Crendon, Bucks thatcher. The paring knife is used for smoothing the ragged ends and ears of newly laid thatch. It is also used with a sawlike action to trim the straw level at the eaves. // Paring knives are made by cutting a scythe blade in half and fitting a small handle parallel to the blade. This one shows signs of considerable wear. It is 19 1/2" long and has a wooden handle.', MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/22 // NAME: THATCHER'S PARING KNIFE // NEG NO.: 35/5 // STORAGE: P. Ex. [Permanent Exhibition] Thatching.'

1900

Wood, Metal