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Knapman & Son (Manufacturer)

This is a shearing hook, a thatching tool used by for trimming thatch. It was held in the right hand and used with a back-handed stroke to trim down the thatch. It has an ash handle, and was manufactured by Knapman & Son, whose name is inscribed on the steel blade.

1 thatching hook; metal [steel] and wood [ash]; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten catalogue' form – 'HOOK (THATCHING) // [pencil sketch]', Letter, E. J. Chaplin to MERL, 25 November 1961 - 'About the thatching hook, you are right in thinking that the thatcher uses it in his right hand. He trims the thatch with a back handed stroke down the thatch. He, of course, is standing on his ladder and is restricted in what he can do.'

Wood, ash, Metal, steel