Hackling is the last step of preparing flax to be spun. It splits and straightens the flax fibers, as well as removing the fibrous core and impurities. Flax is pulled through hackling combs, which parts the locked fibers and makes them straight, clean, and ready to spin. A strick is a bundle of prepared long fiber hackled flax.

Most stricks 4-6 oz. Fibers must be purchased by the stricks to maintain the integrity of the fibers.