Straw Splitter

A knife was traditionally used to prepare the straws but during the late 17th century a splitting “machine” was invented to make the task easier. A central cone, behind which was a set of cutters, was pushed into the end of the straw, splitting it into a number of equal pieces. Some cutters offered a choice of splint sizes. A wooden frame supported a number of holes each containing a metal cutter. The plaiter would hold a bundle of damp, prepared straws under her left armpit and as she worked she would bend her head and pull out the new splints, moistening and working them round with her tongue to keep them pliable. This would often cause scarring at the right-hand corner of her mouth, as a result of removing the splints. Once the straws had been plaited into one piece they were passed through wooden rollers to flatten them, and the plaits would be collected weekly by the dealers to be manufactured into hats and bonnets.