Hi, Following the recent discussion, listers might be interested to know that I have noticed that there is a straw splitter listed on Ebay (search for "straw splitter"). The seller states : "This was used to split straw lengthwise. It was made by Austin's of Tring, Hertfordshire.The straw plait industry was one of the main crafts in the Beds / Herts area until the beginning of the 20th century. Men, women and children worked in their homes splitting straws and plaiting them into patterns with names such as 'brilliant' and 'whipcord'. The plait was sent to towns like Luton to be made into fashionable hats and bonnets, but sadly the plaiters themselves received very little money for their work." I wonder if anyone has come across one of these before or owns one / knows more about them ? Margaret