Sickle

A sickle is a hand-held agricultural tool with a variously curved blade typically used for harvesting grain crops, or forage, which are herbs used for the feeding of lifestock.

The inside of the blade's curve is sharp, so that the user can either draw or swing it against the base of the crop, catching the stems in the curve and slicing them at the same time. The material to be cut may be held in a bunch in the other hand (for example when reaping), held in place by a wooden stick, or left free. When held in a bunch, the sickle action is typically towards the user (left to right for a right-handed user), but when used free the sickle is usually swung the opposite way. Other colloquial/regional names for principally the same tool are: grasshook, swap hook, rip-hook, slash-hook, reaping hook, brishing hook or bagging hook.

The blades of sickle models intended primarily for the cutting of grass are sometimes "cranked", meaning they are off-set downwards from the handle, which makes it easier to keep the blade closer to the ground. Sickles used for reaping do not benefit by this feature because cereals are usually not cut as close to the ground surface. Instead, what distinguishes this latter group is their often (though not always) serrated edges.

Sickles features edges have been made in two very distinct manners/patterns - smooth or serrated. While both can (albeit with a different technique) be used for cutting either green grass or mature cereals, it is the serrated sickle that still dominates reaping, or in other words, the harvesting of grain.

History
Archeological evidence suggest the sickle originated in Mesopotamia. These early sickles had a blade that was 1-2 cm long, and possessed a jagged edge. This intricate ‘tooth-like’ design shows a greater degree of design, and manufacturing credence than most of the other artifacts that have been discovered. Sickle blades found during this time were made of flint, straight, and used in more of a sawing motion than with the more modern curved designs.

Use as a Weapon
The ancient Egyptians are reported to have used the sickle both as an agricultural tool, and weapon of war. The Kama, and Makraka are examples of sickles that have been used chiefly in the art of warfare.