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Cultural Objects, Tools
Knot Maul
People
Maker/Creator: Bethel Martin VaughnDate
UnknownPlaces
Burks Fork (Burks Fork District)Material/Medium
Wood
Specifications
- Length: 10 1/2 inches
- Width of knot: 6 inches
Description
This wooden maul is formed from a tree burl. The maul head and its short handle grew as one piece. The handle is flattened and part of it may have split off over time.
Keywords
maul, knot maul, burl maul, wooden sledgeBio Sketch
Bethel Martin Vaughn (1889-1959) married Laura Emma Harris. They lived and farmed land on Burks Fork near the Vaughn-Dunn Woolen Mill, which was started by his grandfather Wilson T. Vaughn.
Notes
Burls are natural growths that form on trees due to an environmental stress or from bacterial, fungal, or insect attacks. Because of the way the resulting wood grain swirls around the bud traces, burl wood is very hard and has long been used for mauls and hammers.