Race knife also known as a timber scribe (scorer, tree marker) is a knife with a U-shaped end sometimes called a scoop knife for cutting marks in wood by lumbermen, carpenters, coopers, surveyors, and others.[1] The reasons for making marks varies and includes keeping count (tally marks), identifying parts (carpenter's marks), numbering, and tracing patterns around a template as a part of marking out. The gouges left by the timber scribe are more durable than pencil or chalk marks.[citation needed]
A folding race knifeRace knife used by surveyor John Woodlock to cut distinctive marks in witness trees, 1850-1867 - Wisconsin Historical Museum - DSC03281A common example of carpenter's marks made with a race knife- Amsterdam - 20377790 - RCE
Two basic forms of race knife are a simple, fixed or folding, scooped blade and a scooped blade paired with a point around which the blade cut a circle or partial circle. The circles and partial circles allowed more variety in the patterns of marks rather than only using Roman numeral-like marks.
The numbering with a race knife resembles Roman numerals but the number four is usually marked IIII rather than IV and nine VIIII rather than IX because the four and nine could be mistaken for a six or eleven.
^Mercer, Henry C. Ancient Carpenters' Tools, Illustrated and Explained, Together with the Implements of the Lumberman, Joiner, and Cabinet Maker in Use in the Eighteenth Century. 3rd ed. Doylestown, Pa.: Bucks County Historical Society, 1960. 51. Print.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Race knives.
December 15, 2023
race, knife, also, known, timber, scribe, scorer, tree, marker, knife, with, shaped, sometimes, called, scoop, knife, cutting, marks, wood, lumbermen, carpenters, coopers, surveyors, others, reasons, making, marks, varies, includes, keeping, count, tally, mark. Race knife also known as a timber scribe scorer tree marker is a knife with a U shaped end sometimes called a scoop knife for cutting marks in wood by lumbermen carpenters coopers surveyors and others 1 The reasons for making marks varies and includes keeping count tally marks identifying parts carpenter s marks numbering and tracing patterns around a template as a part of marking out The gouges left by the timber scribe are more durable than pencil or chalk marks citation needed A folding race knifeRace knife used by surveyor John Woodlock to cut distinctive marks in witness trees 1850 1867 Wisconsin Historical Museum DSC03281A common example of carpenter s marks made with a race knife Amsterdam 20377790 RCETwo basic forms of race knife are a simple fixed or folding scooped blade and a scooped blade paired with a point around which the blade cut a circle or partial circle The circles and partial circles allowed more variety in the patterns of marks rather than only using Roman numeral like marks The numbering with a race knife resembles Roman numerals but the number four is usually marked IIII rather than IV and nine VIIII rather than IX because the four and nine could be mistaken for a six or eleven See also editMasons markReferences edit Mercer Henry C Ancient Carpenters Tools Illustrated and Explained Together with the Implements of the Lumberman Joiner and Cabinet Maker in Use in the Eighteenth Century 3rd ed Doylestown Pa Bucks County Historical Society 1960 51 Print nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Race knives Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Race knife amp oldid 1123475941, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
