Flax hackle
A flax hackle is a tool for preparing flax for spinning. It has a wooden board with closely spaced iron teeth. Fibres are drawn through the teeth to separate long flax from shorter, coarser tow.
A tool, not merely decoration
Document both the teeth and the wood when identifying an example. Do not classify an object simply because its board is decorated or resembles another textile tool. Examine how the metal section is attached, whether the teeth form a cluster, and whether the whole construction agrees with a confirmed hackle in a specialist collection.
Inscriptions and provenance
Transcribe inscriptions accurately and photograph them in good light. Record a year or initials as an inscription before interpreting it as a manufacturing date or maker's name. Note the source of information about previous owners and distinguish family tradition from documented archival evidence.
Condition and handling
Record missing or bent teeth, corrosion, splits in the wood and later fastenings. Do not straighten, sand or replace components before documenting the object. Sharp teeth call for careful handling and safe positioning on display. A decorative presentation should not conceal damage or alterations.
