European ... still ethnographic sickle of unusual shape

stephen wood · 28th April 2010, 10:56 PM

Boa noite Fernando, I think it's maybe a thatchers tool for dried grass roofs like you find in Madeira or a vine dressing tool. I have seen some old tools in Portugal which look like African throwing-knives and others which lok like medieval polearms, many types of which were, as we know, adapted from agricultural tools.

fernando · 30th April 2010, 01:20 PM

Obrigado Stephen,
I am used to these 'multi-use' tools in the country, myself. Besides the purposes you mention, i notice that some stay at the back yard, for cutting wood for the kitchen fire.
It is the the hook in the back that intrigues me, as i have never seen one with such shape.
Yes, if this 'sickle' were a bit larger, it would be close from a tool weapon, like a bill or a guisarme.
Fernando

28th April 2010, 10:56 PM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	Boa noite Fernando, I think it's maybe a thatchers tool for dried grass roofs like you find in Madeira or a vine dressing tool. I have seen some old tools in Portugal which look like African throwing-knives and others which lok like medieval polearms, many types of which were, as we know, adapted from agricultural tools.

30th April 2010, 01:20 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Obrigado Stephen, I am used to these 'multi-use' tools in the country, myself. Besides the purposes you mention, i notice that some stay at the back yard, for cutting wood for the kitchen fire. It is the the hook in the back that intrigues me, as i have never seen one with such shape. Yes, if this 'sickle' were a bit larger, it would be close from a tool weapon, like a bill or a guisarme. Fernando