Name/Title
The Flax Hatchel (or Hecle)Entry/Object ID
100268Scope and Content
(AI) 1. The Flax Hatchel (or "Heckle")
The long wooden board clamped or resting against the radiator, featuring a bed of fearsome-looking, long steel spikes, is called a hatchel (or heckle).
What it did: This was used for processing flax to make linen. After the flax stalks were rotted (retted) and crushed, a handful of the rough, straw-like fiber would be forcefully drawn through these spikes.
The Result: The sharp teeth combed out the tangled, short, brittle pieces (called tow) and left behind long, silky, parallel strands of clean fiber ready for the spinning wheel.
Inventory from Michael mother given by Ebenezer Bull (two hitchels or hatchel) flax cleaner