Sickle
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2008-07-02T22:23:10Z
Idioma-bot
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robot Adding: [[qu:Ichhuna]]
[[Image:20.Falz.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Sickle]]
[[Image:Sickle33.jpg|right|thumb|Sickle]]
A '''sickle''' is a curved, hand-held [[agricultural]] [[tool]] typically used for harvesting [[cereal|grain]] crop or cutting grass for [[hay]]. The inside of the curve is sharp, so that the user can draw or swing the blade against the base of the crop, catching it in the curve and slicing it at the same time. The material to be cut may be held in a bunch in the other hand (for example when [[reaper|reaping]]), held in place by a wooden stick, or left free. When held in a bunch, the sickle action is towards the user (left to right for a right-handed user), but when used free the sickle is usually swung the opposite way. Different types may be referred to as a ''grasshook'', ''swap hook'', ''rip-hook'', ''reaping hook'', brishing hook or ''bagging hook''.
[[Image:SickleUser wb.png|thumb|left|upright|250px|Using a sickle]]
The blade of a sickle is often [[crank]]ed to one side, to make it easier to keep the blade closer to the ground; this makes it right- or (more rarely) left-handed. Sickles used for [[reaping]] are usually serrated.
The sickle was largely superseded by the [[scythe]], which is more comfortable and efficient to use for many purposes, but it continues in use in many parts of the world, and for certain uses where a scythe is not convenient. The most noticeable difference between a sickle and a scythe is the length of the handle – a sickle is a one-handed tool with a short handle, used while bending down to the ground, while a scythe is a two-handed tool, used standing up, with a long, often curved haft, and a much longer blade.
A blade which is used regularly to cut the [[silica]]-rich stems of cereal crops acquires a characteristic [[sickle-gloss]], or wear pattern. When this pattern appears on ancient stone tools, it can indicate early use or development of [[agricultural]] use.
[[Image:Ceremonial sickle.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Ancient Egyptian ceremonial sickle used for religious purposes rather than actual field work. [[New Kingdom]], [[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt|Dynasty XVIII]], c. 1479-1425.]]
In Greek myths, the sickle was used as a weapon by [[Cronus]] and [[Perseus]].
== Additional uses ==
* The sickle is used as part of the well known symbol of the [[hammer and sickle]], which is the symbol of Communism or Revolutionary Socialism. The sickle represents the agricultural working class or peasantry in this symbol.
* '''Sickle''' is a fictional [[Units of measurement|unit]] of [[Money in Harry Potter|money in the Harry Potter series]].
* '''SS-25 Sickle''' is the [[NATO reporting name]] for the [[RT-2PM Topol]] [[intercontinental ballistic missile]].
*[[Tacitus]] reports that golden sickles were used in [[Druid]]ic rituals.
== See also ==
*[[Hammer and sickle]]
*[[Scythe]]
*[[Sickle-sword]]
*[[Kama (weapon)|Kama]]
*[[Sickle probe]]
{{commonscat|Sickles}}
[[Category:Blade weapons]]
[[Category:Cutting tools]]
[[Category:Farming tools]]
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