What are these cutters?

**Cgcc** · 6th September 2020, 09:59 PM

Wondered if I could get a hand ID'ing something that came in an "as is" job lot from ebay that included a a Stanley 71 and two smaller unbranded small routers.

There was a little pile of cutters, including the two below. As you can see there is a relatively short section of threading - but the type of threading you would see on an auger bit - not shaped seeming to fit into a screw.

They do not fit in the throat of any router plane they came with or one I am familiar with and can't really see how they would mate to any holder. More to the point there is no real regular run of either thread or consistent throat to use with a holder in any kind of plane it seems.

There is a point that could be sharpened at one end and a slitting cutter at the other (which should be visible).

I wonder if the are just hand-held carving tools for inlay or delicate carving work without a handle, giving you a fine point at one end to use as a punch and the rest as a slitting cutter? The threading is reasonably comfortable to hold for short periods of time. I have never come across either though.

Many thanks if anyone knows - nagging me for a while!

IMG_20200906_202227.jpg IMG_20200906_202233.jpg

**orraloon** · 6th September 2020, 10:51 PM

I guess they could be used for marking/scribing. Look home made to me. Kind of school metalwork sort of thing.
Regards
John

**AJ.** · 6th September 2020, 10:52 PM

They look hand made to me and not a bought tool. Maybe marking tools? Scribe one end and marking knife the other.

Pure speculation on my part, be interesting to see what others think.

Edit. Orraloon beat me to it.

Cheers Andrew

**orraloon** · 6th September 2020, 10:59 PM

I remember doing that twist work at school metalwork. Did a shovel and poker with that in the handles.
Regards
John

**Chief Tiff** · 6th September 2020, 11:00 PM

What they said. Someone wanted to make a couple of marking tools and on a whim decided to do a bit of blacksmithing.

**Cgcc** · 6th September 2020, 11:18 PM

Thanks Chief. They are nice little doo-dads. For precision punch jobs like starting a hole to start where you will drill the metal thread lets you keep a very tight grip.

I might sharpen them up and keep them handy.

**IanW** · 7th September 2020, 08:56 AM

They do look a bit familiar: Dales scratch awl.jpg

A friend who is into forgey-smithy activities made this scratch-awl for me. They like adding decorations like multiple twists, to demonstrate their mastery over the metal.

Mind you, I would prefer a nice, safe, wooden handle like on mine rather than pointy bits at both ends.....
Cheers,

**GraemeCook** · 7th September 2020, 04:44 PM

Round awl one end, square awl the other = versatile, if a little awkward. I do prefer Ian's.

But it certainly does look like a school project.

**hiroller** · 10th September 2020, 11:41 PM

I think this is a user made tool known as a Striking Knife or alternatively a Marking Awl.
They have an awl at one end and a knife at the other.

There are some examples in the 1959 Marples Tool Catalogue:
ED7FAB57-AF33-4F6F-B2C5-7BAB0359C078.jpeg

Chris Schwarz also wrote about them a few years ago:
3 Things I Like About My Striking Knife | Popular Woodworking Magazine

I recall my father having a couple. He trained as a boat builder and made his own tools as part of his apprenticeship. Unfortunately the planes he made were all stolen.

**Mountain Ash** · 11th September 2020, 08:31 AM

Hi HR. That Marples catalogue reprint is wonderful. I have one of the 1877 model but made a bit earlier (I assume so because it is stamped Hibernia along with the shamrocks). It came in a box with some wooden planes I bought on eBay. Great knife to use except it's easy to stab yourself with the other end

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