Weaving tool used to push the weft yarn securely into place
A Japanese weaver using a beater, mounted from a notched pole and suspended overhead. Woodcut print by Yanagawa Shigenobu, 1825–1832.
A beater or batten, is a weavingtool designed to push the weft yarn securely into place. In small hand weaving such as Inkle weaving and tablet weaving the beater may be combined with the shuttle into a single tool. In rigid heddle looms the beater is combined with the heddles. Beaters appear both in a hand-held form, and as an integral part of a loom.[1]
Hand beaters must have enough mass to force the weaving into place, so they come in a variety of weights and sizes. Some may have lead inserts to provide additional heft for a smaller beater, and some are made entirely from metal.
Loom beaters typically take the form of a bar mounted across the loom. The actual beating is done by a metal insert known as a reed, which contains a number of slots, known as dents, which the warp threads pass through. This is the more common form, as floor looms and mechanized looms both use a beater with a reed.
Coast Salish sword beater, North American west coast
Sword beaters (or battens) on upright looms are indeed swung like a sword
Sword beater on an Ancient Egyptian horizontal ground-pegged loom, being held by two people
Bone sword beater (2) and adjacent bone pin beater (3), Iron age, Middle East
Rigid heddles are a shedding device that can also act as a reed.
Belt or band shuttle, a short shuttle used for inkle weaving. This extra-sturdy shuttle is also used at a batten, to beat the newly woven weft against the previously woven fell.[2]
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![Belt or band shuttle, a short shuttle used for inkle weaving. This extra-sturdy shuttle is also used at a batten, to beat the newly woven weft against the previously woven fell.[2]](File:Chantier_de_fouilles_%C3%A0_Morigny-Champigny_en_juin_2012_20.jpg)
