Antique Hatchel Hetchel Flax Comb Handmade Spinning with Flax Braid

This interesting Hatchel or Hetchel has fascinating history and was used throughout the 18th and 19th century's. It is accompanied with an authentic Flax braid and is included in this purchase. When the colonists arrived it was a law that they would have to plant at least one acre of flax on their land. A flax spinning wheel was used to produce linen. A number of steps were taken to process the flax plant for spinning. First, the plant was "retted" or rotted then beaten or scraped to remove the outer skin. The fibers were pulled though a series of metal spiked brush ~ like tools know as "hatchels". The hatchel would remove the bits of skin, cut out the shorter fibers and align the longer ones for spinning. This heckling comb or heckle is made up of long iron tapered nails driven into a piece of wood at regular spacing. This handmade piece is simple in form but very effective for getting the job done! Four Smithy forged nails were used to secure the elevated block of wood consisting of