European ... still ethnographic sickle of unusual shape

fernando · 27th April 2010, 06:47 PM

Forget about the handle; obviously a re- or even three- stocking.
But the blade; have you ever seen such style, with that frontwards ( not backwards) apendix on the back ?
Any sugestions?
Fernando

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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

blacklacrau · 30th April 2010, 02:35 PM

É uma fouce...
A parte de trás serve para, depois de cortar silvas com a parte da frente, as levantar e juntar para queimar...

Sorry to be in portuguese!

Translation...
is a tool used in the fields. My grandmother still uses one! The front cut the brambles. After the brambles are cut they stay in the ground and the back is used to lift the brambles and then are put on fire

fernando · 30th April 2010, 03:26 PM

Thank you so much, Blacklacrau.
What region is your grandmother from ... somewhere in the north?
Fernando

blacklacrau · 30th April 2010, 03:38 PM

Yes
Serra do Soajo

fernando · 30th April 2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blacklacrau

Yes
Serra do Soajo

Ah, that makes sense. This old sickle was acquired in Fafe; could have come from that region.
Fernando

Billman · 4th November 2010, 02:11 PM

Hi

This is a typical shape of a french croissant - used for hedge cutting,and the back hook used to push loose branches back into the hedge...

Similar tools used in much of Europe - Herefordshire/Wales in Britain, most of France, Italy and Spain (and from the replies you have had, also in parts of Portugal).

Usually found with a longer handle - the blade shapes vary from the semicircular (as yours is) to squarer billhooks type... Not all types have the back hook. It is also found on some small handbills (billhooks) notably the Aberaeron pattern of Wales...

A web search for 'serpe croissant' will find many similar images...

I often see blades from these for sale on USA websites (in reputable dealers' shops), misnamed as medieval bills or pikes - some with obvious 20th century makers marks on them...

27th April 2010, 06:47 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,641	European ... still ethnographic sickle of unusual shape Forget about the handle; obviously a re- or even three- stocking. But the blade; have you ever seen such style, with that frontwards ( not backwards) apendix on the back ? Any sugestions? Fernando . Attached Images

30th April 2010, 02:35 PM	#4
blacklacrau Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 50	É uma fouce... A parte de trás serve para, depois de cortar silvas com a parte da frente, as levantar e juntar para queimar... Sorry to be in portuguese! Translation... is a tool used in the fields. My grandmother still uses one! The front cut the brambles. After the brambles are cut they stay in the ground and the back is used to lift the brambles and then are put on fire Last edited by blacklacrau; 30th April 2010 at 02:50 PM.

28th April 2010, 10:56 PM	#2
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	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,641	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

30th April 2010, 03:26 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,641	Thank you so much, Blacklacrau. What region is your grandmother from ... somewhere in the north? Fernando

30th April 2010, 03:38 PM	#6
blacklacrau Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 50	Yes Serra do Soajo

4th November 2010, 02:11 PM	#8
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Hi This is a typical shape of a french croissant - used for hedge cutting,and the back hook used to push loose branches back into the hedge... Similar tools used in much of Europe - Herefordshire/Wales in Britain, most of France, Italy and Spain (and from the replies you have had, also in parts of Portugal). Usually found with a longer handle - the blade shapes vary from the semicircular (as yours is) to squarer billhooks type... Not all types have the back hook. It is also found on some small handbills (billhooks) notably the Aberaeron pattern of Wales... A web search for 'serpe croissant' will find many similar images... I often see blades from these for sale on USA websites (in reputable dealers' shops), misnamed as medieval bills or pikes - some with obvious 20th century makers marks on them...