what is this thing?

[kxxr]

It is leaning against a bucket handle to keep it upright but photobucket won't display it point up. Anyone know what it's for?

[Branson]

It is leaning against a bucket handle to keep it upright but photobucket won't display it point up. Anyone know what it's for?

Yeah.  It's a race, and it was used for marking lumber.  You can cut straight gouges, and using the point, you can cut round lines.

[kxxr]

Here's another picture. I'm trying to visualize how this would be used. Where the metal piece is curled would be used to gouge a groove in a piece of lumber?

[Papaw]

From The Free Dictionary-

a cutting tool with a blade that is hooked at the point, for marking outlines, on boards or metals, as by a pattern, - used in shipbuilding.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Race+knife

[Papaw]

This patent is not the same, but it does explain what the pointer is for. Item 7 in the drawing- http://www.google.com/patents?id=rUpcAAAAEBAJ&printsec=drawing&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

[kxxr]

From The Free Dictionary-

a cutting tool with a blade that is hooked at the point, for marking outlines, on boards or metals, as by a pattern, - used in shipbuilding.

Great, now I gotta build a ship.

[lzenglish]

Another name for this tool is a "Timber Scribe".

http://www.penryfamily.com/surveying/timberscribe.html


Wayne

[kxxr]

This patent is not the same, but it does explain what the pointer is for. Item 7 in the drawing- http://www.google.com/patents?id=rUpcAAAAEBAJ&printsec=drawing&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false

I'm sure it does explain, but my patentese is not so good. It may always be a mystery to me unless I run across a translation for layman. Hell, those patent descriptions can make you wonder if you really know all the ins and outs of how a screwdriver works. Keeps patent lawyers in business I guess.
Thanks for tipping my picture upright.
I am trying to de-rust it a little bit to see what is stamped on the ferrule. So far I can make out L___ FILE & TOOL CO ___CINTI or something that means Lutz File and Tool Co. Cincinnati

[lzenglish]

Did you look at the timber scribe link I posted for you? It looks like one to me, and there are many pictures to look at on it. After I found one in R.A. Salaman's Dictionary of Tools, I googled it, and found this link. It sure looks like it to me, but maybe not?

Wayne

[kxxr]

Now the pictures I can follow. I also discovered a few interesting pictures and notes myself. It appears this was once a very popular tool or, at least there were a lot of different versions. I'll post a post rust bath picture when it's done.
Thanks for the extra effort fellows. kr.

[scottg]

If you just try to mark the end of a log or a board? Just try to cut some lines or whatever into the end, with anything you like?
And you need that mark to survive being slam bang loaded up on trucks, and road grime, rain and blowing dust and then dumped into piles, mud flying all the while? and still end up readable?
    Well try anything. 

 Or you need to mark a trail or survey corners, and still be able to find it years later after everything nature can throw at it?

  There are some tools that allow no leeway in effective design.
 yours Scott

[kxxr]

Not that any of us needs another collecting category...

photo from bladesforum.com

[kxxr]

I don't think mine is going to clean up quite this nice, but here is what it once looked like. I think the name on the blade is an owner's mark. I found this picture in a pdf file full of seemingly unrelated random objects, possibly someone's personal collection of things. The URL said something about corvettes... I don't know, otherwise I would give photo credit. Anyway, here it is. I don't know if the 1960 refers to the date of manufacture or if it could be the date the owner acquired the tool.

[lzenglish]

So it is called a "Timber Scribe", I feel better now that you posted this new info.and pictures of it. I think yours is a fine looking example of one, and having one that does not shine, is better than having none at all, like me! I would love to have one, and now that I know what it is, I WILL find one, eventually, and buy it.
It appears to have an oak handle, is that correct? How do you plan on cleaning it, ie. wire brush, vinegar, evaporust, etc.? It looks to me that a fine grit sand paper may be needed to remove the pits, so don't be afraid to go there if needed. I sanded a pitted knife blade with my 1x30" belt sander/sharpener about a month ago, and it worked great.

Nice Find,

Wayne

[kxxr]

I haven't gotten enough grease off of the handle to see what kind of wood it might be underneath, but I am curious to see too. The ferrule on the pictured one looks silver, like steel but mine is more of a brass color and the corrosion has attached itself to the metal but the metal underneath doesn't look like it is rusted like steel would. I may get lucky and be able to get it all off without harming the metal underneath.
The blade is steel and has suffered some rust pitting but not too bad, it's cleaning up pretty nicely too.
I am trying a product called "Krud Kutter". I have soaked it about 30 minutes a whack and then took a soft brass brush to it. A couple more go arounds and I should be done with the metal.
I picked up another tool with this one that must also be a scribe of some kind. It is a single blade that just looks like one of Freddy Krugers finger blades. A wicked looking thing but clearly a quality tool imo. I'll put up a picture this evening.
While I was looking for info I found another site you might like ...
It looks right up your alley, so maybe you already know of it, if not, enjoy!
http://www.fine-tools.com/index.html