Straw Cutter

Jakdu is an agricultural implement used to cut weeds and rice straw into small pieces in order to make compost or fodder. It was made with a forked woodblock, referred to as jakdu base, into which two iron props were installed to fix a blade. The blade and iron props were connected using an iron fastener. Depending on the method of cutting, jakdu is divided into two types: foot jakdu and hand jakdu. Foot jakdu is operated by stepping on the haft, which is hammered into one end of the blade. It requires two people: one stamps on the haft while lifting and releasing the rope tied to the blade and the other lays down straw or grass under the blade. Hand jakdu is operated by one person, with one hand holding and placing grass under the blade and the other hand pushing down on the blade. While most of the traditional agricultural implements are operated by physical strength, machines are employed to maximize labor efficiency in the present day. This trend of mechanization has been a major element discontinuing the transmission of traditional agricultural tools. The same applies to jakdu, which is now used only in some farmhouses in mountainous regions.