Striking Knife

Date1780-1800

MediumIron

DimensionsOverall: 7 1/2" Blade width: 5/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1982-261

DescriptionStriking knife made from a tapering section of heavy sheet iron, with a scribing point at one end and a skew-edge knife at the other. The sides are decoratively filed.
Label TextThe 18th c. equivalent of the modern carpenter’s pencil, the striking knife had a scribing point at one end and a scoring edge on the other. Markings and ruled lines cut directly into the woodwork were less apt to being rubbed off or washed away.