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This is a thatcher's paring knife, also known as an eaves knife, used to trim the eaves in long straw work. It consists of an iron blade with a long ash handle. It came from Woodley Farm in Woodley, Berkshire.

1 long handled knife: iron, wood (ash)

MERL miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 22 August 2013 – Woodley Farm was in the possession of the Pither Family from the mid-nineteenth century until January 1982. The contents of the farm were sold at public auction on 16 April 1982., MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – ‘Description: Thatcher’s paring knife: iron blade with long handle of ash. // Dimensions: overall length 221 cms // Associated information: From the farm at Woodley. // Paring, or eaves knives were used for trimming the eaves in long straw work (ref). // References: J G Jenkins ‘Traditional Country Craftsmen’ 1965 p.149’

Metal, iron, Wood, ash