Corn Knife Given to Harry Callahan by William Ford, Made 1850-1860

Before late nineteenth century agricultural mechanization, sharp-bladed knives were used to harvest corn. Farmers would swing these blades to cut the cornstalk near its base. The stalks then were bundled into shocks to dry. Later, the ears would be harvested and the stalks made into cattle fodder. Different regions of the U. S. produced stylistic variations of these corn harvesting blades.