Hay Knife, circa 1860

Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to make hay to feed their livestock all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives to cut out chunks for feed. The farmer who used this knife likely put one foot on the metal rod to push the blade into the haystack, and then pulled on the wooden handle to drag the blade out. Someone repaired the broken handle with a wrought-iron band and screws.