Historical information
Used in the timber industry for making split palings. The palings are shaped by hand with the bottom edge put onto the timber and a mallet hit onto the top of the blade. This pre-dates sawn palings.
Significance
Associated with the timber and household building industry in the Orbost region.
Physical description
A rectangular flat iron blade attached to a wooden handle. The cutting edge of the knife is along the bottom (rather than the end as with an axe). The wooden handle appears to be made from a small tree branch.
