Hay Knife, 1871

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. George Weymouth patented it in 1871 and Hiram Holt & Co. manufactured and sold it as "Lightning" starting in May 1872. The offset handles made it easier to push the sharp serrated steel blade down to cut through the hay.