Race knives, 18th - 19th century (wood & metal)

The race [or raze] knife in its simplest form consists of a steel blade with the end bent round to form a cutter for gouging out a groove or race in standing timber or on trusses. More elaborate race knives incorporate a spike and a cutter for carving circular grooves. On some there is a second drag-knife for scribing numbers and letters and in the case of 157, 158 and 163, this second cutter is a folding knife. The tool is also known as a scorer, scrieve hook, scriving knife or timber scribe. 157 Beech, wrought iron English, early 19th century 51/4 in. The stamps of four members of the Copping family are struck on the handle. A label tied to the folding drag-knife shows that this tool belonged to four generations of the Copping family of Baldock, Hertfordshire. 158 Service-tree, wrought iron European, dated 1797 65/8 in. 159–60 Horn, cast steel, brass European, 19th century 159: 5 in. 160: 53/4 in. On this pair of race knives, the steel head is struck on both sides with a star. 161 (rainette) Boxwood, cast steel French, late 18th century Maker’s mark: “E. LEVROT” on the handle and “E L” on the head 71/2 in. 162 Beech, cast steel, brass Probably German, 19th century Maker’s mark: “WERMUTH” 77/8 in. On this race knife the blades are screwed on, presumably so that they can easily be replaced. 163 Beech, wrought iron European, late 18th century Stamped “T. SYMONDS” 41/2 in.