Description
We are pleased to be stocking wooden hay rakes from Rudd’s Rake Factory in Cumbria. John Rudd’s grandfather started the business in the 1890’s and the business is in family hands to this day.
While nowadays people are buying them for many purposes, from raking gravel and gathering autumn leaves to leveling fresh concrete (!), we will be using them for their traditional purpose – hay making.
The rakes are light, important if you will be using one for any length of time, and strong. The shaft and head are made of ash, as is the steam bent bow that strengthens the head. The teeth are made from hard-wearing silver birch.
The rake is 6″ long and the head is 2′ 6″ wide.
Here is a detailed interview with Mr Rudd with plenty of pictures of the rake making process, including the “Demon Dentist” used to fit the teeth. Below is a video about the factory..