ANOTHER UNUSUAL SLITTING/MARKING GAUGE/MALLET...

[BentonTool]

Hello Brothers,

Just kidding... it is not a mallet, but, it could be used as one. It is very heavy. The second picture shows a six-inch scale for size.

I bought this somewhere on the coast of Maine (USA) many years ago, and it awaited my retirement for restoration.
As with most of my used tools, it was in sad shape. I suspect it was originally a shipbuilder's tool, as most of the exotic-wood tools are in that region.

The stock is made of lignum vitae, and the stem is a fruitwood (looks like apple to me). The cutter and wedges were missing, so I made a cutter from a knife blank, and replaced the wedges with some cocobolo. Lastly, I applied a bone wear-surface to the tip, pinned with brass.

At my age, I find myself more attracted to lignum vitae, boxwood, ebony, and rosewood than to (most) women...

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[Orraloon]

Its a chunky marking gauge but then if it was used in boatbuilding it was likely user made and hefty was the required feature . The bone ware strip is a good addition.
Regards
John

 

[Cabinetman]

Interesting piece, and LARGE! But I can’t quite work out why the bone rubbing strip is at the end that where it doesn’t really need protecting, and then just a little bit around the cutting edge too?

 

[Fred48]

Hello Brothers,

Just kidding... it is not a mallet, but, it could be used as one. It is very heavy. The second picture shows a six-inch scale for size.

I bought this somewhere on the coast of Maine (USA) many years ago, and it awaited my retirement for restoration.
As with most of my used tools, it was in sad shape. I suspect it was originally a shipbuilder's tool, as most of the exotic-wood tools are in that region.

The body is made of lignum vitae, and the stem is a fruitwood (looks like apple to me). The cutter and wedges were missing, so I made a cutter from a knife blank, and replaced the wedges with some cocobolo. Lastly, I applied a bone wear-surface to the tip, pinned with brass.

At my age, I find myself more attracted to lignum vitae, boxwood, ebony, and rosewood than (most) women...

Merry Christmas to all!

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very interesting and a lovely restoration
and a merry Christmas to you
Fred

 

[BentonTool]

Interesting piece, and LARGE! But I can’t quite work out why the bone rubbing strip is at the end that where it doesn’t really need protecting, and then just a little bit around the cutting edge too?

Dear Cabinetman,
My apologies for the delay, but, it is the season...
I need to get out to the shop to take a few pictures in order to respond appropriately to your query.
I constantly forget to take "before" pictures, which would have explained it all very well.
I shall be back soon with a response...
Merry Christmas!

 

[BentonTool]

Interesting piece, and LARGE! But I can’t quite work out why the bone rubbing strip is at the end that where it doesn’t really need protecting, and then just a little bit around the cutting edge too?

Hello again Cabinetman!

I trust you had a wonderful Christmas with your friends and family, and that you are all well and content.

In reply to your query, I have found that in several of my vintage marking/slitting gauges the ends of the stem near the spur/cutter were often worn as in the example below.

Perhaps a horizontal line will show the wear better:

In my opinion, this pattern of wear suggests that the user applied the marking gauge to the work with two points of contact near the spur: one on the tip of the stem and the other was the spur itself.
I have tried this and it seems to leave a finer line, rather than just stabbing the spur into the timber and then pulling or pushing across the work.
Of course, if you use a sharp slitting gauge, you will get a nice clean line regardless (that is my preference).

The heavy gauge I restored above had some wear in this area, so the bone wear-plate filled the void. I also find it pleasing in appearance, in addition to being practical.

You will also note that some of the finest slitting/marking gauges ever made (UK produce, of course!), had brass ends on the stem to limit wear, as in the two examples below. I am sure this was not purely for the aesthetics.

In closing, the diagram below shows how I applied the bone wear-plate to the stem:

The fact that the bone insert extended back to (and partly around) the cutter was simply a matter of practicality. It was the way that seemed to me to be the best and simplest way to securely apply the bone plate.

Best wishes to all, Alex.

 

[Cabinetman]

Thanks Alex, a most comprehensive answer to a daft question lol. I see entirely where the wear is now, yes it’s dragging the stock across the timber to be marked and gradually applying the point at an oblique angle. Also misread that you had added the bone.
Those old ones with the brass ferrules are super nice.
Ian