Flail << flayl >> is a hand implement used to thresh small grain crops such as wheat, barley, and oats. The flail consisted of a short stick or club, called a swizzle, fastened by a leather strap to a long wooden handle known as the staff. The swizzle struck the grain and knocked it from the heads. After threshing, farmers raked the straw away. Then they tossed the grain and chaff into the air to be separated by the wind or by fanning. The threshing machine replaced the flail on most farms during the 1800’s. However, flails are still used in some developing countries.
Long ago, people also used flails as weapons. The flail usually consisted of a wooden bar or ball studded with metal spikes or barbs. It was joined to a short handle by a length of chain.
