Handmade iron tools have been an essential part of various traditional crafts and occupations in India for centuries. While modernization and technology have led to the decline of many traditional iron tools, some are still in use. These tools are often handmade by skilled artisans and are valued for their durability and effectiveness. Here are a few examples of handmade iron tools used in India:
- Sickle (Kulavai): Sickle is a curved iron tool with a wooden or iron handle used for cutting crops such as wheat, rice, and other grains. It is an essential tool for agriculture in rural India.
- Mattock (Pulimutta): The mattock is a multipurpose digging and chopping tool with a pick on one side and an adze-like blade on the other. It’s used in agriculture and construction work.
- Axe (Kulunta): The axe is used for felling trees, chopping wood, and other woodworking tasks. It typically has a long wooden handle and a heavy iron head.
- Chisel (Chhanni): Iron chisels are used by craftsmen, particularly carpenters and woodworkers, for carving and shaping wood.
- Anvil (Ambu): An anvil is a heavy block of iron used by blacksmiths to shape and forge metal items. It serves as a solid surface for hammering and bending metal.
- Hoe (Kudali): A hoe is an agricultural tool with a long handle and a flat iron blade. It is used for tilling soil, weeding, and other farming tasks.
- Spade (Kudavayi): A spade is used for digging, lifting, and moving earth or other materials. It consists of a long handle and a flat, pointed iron blade.
- Screw Press (Charkha): Traditional screw presses made of iron are used for extracting oil from seeds and other applications. They are common in rural areas where oil extraction is a livelihood.
- Scythe (Karambu): A scythe is an agricultural tool used for cutting grass and other vegetation. It consists of a long curved blade attached to a handle.
- Hammer (Hathauda): Handmade iron hammers are used by various craftsmen and artisans for shaping metal, wood, and other materials.
- Rake (Vaili): Rakes made of iron are used in agriculture for gathering and spreading hay, leaves, and other materials.
- Bellows (Phaav): Bellows are used by blacksmiths to provide a steady stream of air to the forge fire, allowing them to control the temperature for metalworking.
These handmade iron tools are a testament to India’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and traditional skills. While they may be gradually giving way to more modern and mechanized tools, they continue to be used in many parts of the country, especially in rural areas and traditional craft communities.