a modular knifeback for a sickle knife assembly that is made into lengths that are standardized for permitting ease of shipment , storage and handling , and which lengths can be spliced into a desired extended length knife assemble for use in harvesting machinery , or the like , without sacrificing rigidity and strength where the modular sections are joined together . the modular sections are made sufficiently long so that the bolts or rivets used where the modular sections join are capable of withstanding the loads that are incurred on the knife assembly during use . the modular sections of the sickle are easily kept , and stored , and are assembled using standard components without specialized tools .