Tool Detail
Vintage Hand Sickle Corn Knife True Temper Kelly Perfect Farm Tool
Vintage True Temper Kelly Perfect hand sickle / corn knife with its original wood handle and distinctive red-painted steel shank. Carefully cleaned, stabilized, sharpened, oiled, and waxed while preserving the aged finish, surviving original paint, and remnants of the original handle marking. A functional vintage cutting tool as well as an excellent piece of American farm and agricultural decor.
Detailed Description
This vintage agricultural cutting tool is a True Temper Kelly Perfect hand sickle, also commonly described as a corn knife or corn stalk cutter. It features a broad curved steel blade, offset red-painted steel shank, and original wood handle.
The original handle marking is heavily worn, but remnants of the white painted lettering remain visible. Identification is supported by the surviving lettering and comparison with other Kelly Perfect examples having the same distinctive construction. The exact model number is not being claimed because the surviving marking is incomplete.
Estimated to date from the mid-20th century, likely around the 1940s–1950s.
Tool Details
- True Temper Kelly Perfect
- Vintage hand sickle / corn knife
- Broad curved steel cutting blade
- Original red-painted offset steel shank
- Original wood handle
- Remnants of original white handle lettering
- Hanging hole near blade tip
- Approximately 12-inch blade
- Made in USA
- Estimated 1940s–1950s
Condition
This is a genuine vintage working tool and retains the wear and patina expected from decades of agricultural use.
The steel has dark age patina and scattered surface pitting. Much of the original red finish remains on the shank. The wooden handle shows substantial age and wear, including checking and previously stabilized cracks. The surviving maker’s-mark area was intentionally left untouched during restoration to preserve the remaining original painted lettering.
The blade has been sharpened and is functional. The cutting bevel retains visible evidence of previous use and sharpening rather than having been aggressively reground to look new.
Please review all photographs closely for condition and details.
Restoration
- Carefully cleaned
- Surface oxidation removed with WD-40 and nonaggressive abrasive pad
- Original red paint preserved
- Handle cracks stabilized
- Handle lightly sanded with 220- and 320-grit abrasives
- Surviving maker’s-mark area deliberately left unsanded
- Existing cutting bevel sharpened
- Metal oiled and protected
- Wood conditioned
- Entire tool waxed for protection
The goal was preservation rather than refinishing. Original wear, patina, paint, and identifying remnants were retained wherever practical.
Use & Display
This sickle has been restored to functional condition and can still serve as a traditional cutting tool. Its sweeping blade, worn wood handle, and surviving red paint also make it particularly well suited for farmhouse, barn, workshop, or agricultural-history display.
The sharpened blade is functional and should be handled accordingly.
Highlights
- True Temper Kelly Perfect
- Vintage American farm tool
- Hand sickle / corn knife
- Original wood handle
- Original red paint
- Partial original handle marking
- Approximately 12-inch curved blade
- Sharpened and functional
- Conservatively restored
- Preserved age and patina
- Farmhouse or barn decor
- Printed care guide included