Name/TitleBeet topper
About this objectA beet topper was used for trimming the leaves and dome of the beet in the field. It is one example of the many specialized tools used on a farm. Knives came in many forms, each designed for specific needs, such as trimming hedges, clearing brambles or nettles, or for preparing livestock feed.
One of three. It would have been used in the autumn/winter for cutting the tops off sugar beet. It is a curved knife with a turned handle. It has a thinner piece where the blade curves round at the end, which is not sharp but is pointed and hooked at the tip. This probably helped to keep the tops lying in neat rows as they were cut and also it helped to draw the plant towards the cutter making it easier for cutting.
Date MadeEarly 20th century
Medium and MaterialsHandle: wood
Blade: steel
MeasurementsMaximum length: 385 mm
Maximum depth: 145 mm
Handle diameter: 30 mm
Object Typetopper
Object numberSTMEA:78.A.83.6.2
Copyright Licence
Attribution - Non-commercial (cc)
