Mystery tool another

[Chisteve]

Not sure what this is the handle is high quality thought it was toilet chain handle at 1st but on close inspection it has the same makers name -Townsend Hereford it’s needs sharpening and it appears that you pull it

 

[Sandyn]

It looks a bit like a tool you would use to clean the muck/rot from animals feet, but I don't think that's it original purpose, perhaps for cutting a round channel in wood?

 

[Alpha-Dave]

It is out-canal (outside bevel), so designed for cutting into a surface rather than trimming protrusions from a surface.

Handle geometry indicates a pull-cut.

Could be something for marking lumber, but they tend to be bigger and more crude.

The hoof-cleaning tool (not a hoof knife, as they are a long-curved slicing blade) seems reasonable.

A ‘Hoof groover’ search brings up a couple of images of tools that have similar proportions.

A leather or saddlery grooving tool also has similar shape and proportions.

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

There are three Townsend's listed for Hereford, my guess would be George the glove maker, it looks like a leather workers tool to me but it is just a wild guess!!!
Pigot's Commercial Directory of Herefordshire 1840 (Index)

Townsend​	Charles​	​	Broad Street​	Ross​	Fruiterer​	28, 29​
Townsend​	George​	​	Church Street​	Hereford​	Glove Maker​	11, 13​
Townsend​	William​	​	Eign Street​	Hereford​	Working Cutler​	11, 13​
​	​	​	​	​

 

[dannyr]

interesting tool - nice work on the Hereford listings

the fine ebony or rosewood handle and the unusual ferrule sometimes indicates a surgical/veterinary instrument

the similar hoof trimmer or wood markers used by farriers or woodsmen would typically have a rougher handle and slightly different shape

 

[Distinterior]

It looks similar to some Saddle makers tools...?

 

[Argus]

I believe that it's a Timber Scribe, used by foresters and timber merchants to mark logs.

R A Salaman describes and illustrates it, with some variants, in his Dictionary of Woodworking Tools, Pages 484 -486

 

[loftyhermes]

Looks similar to old rubber tapping tools.

 

[Chisteve]

Thanks for the replies

 

[Stigmorgan]

I cant recall its name but it is used for working on animals hooves, used them quite a bit back in my younger days when I studied animal welfare at college.

 

[Chisteve]

Hey thanks again much appreciated