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Wooden maul (hammer) made from a naturally forming tree knot.
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Cultural Objects, Tools

Knot Maul

People
Maker/Creator: Bethel Martin Vaughn
Date
Unknown
Places
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 sledge
Bio 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.