For this week’s Hand Tool Thursday we present, what we are calling, The Scorpion!
Originally used by barrel makers, the scorp is now more likely to be used by chairmakers, for scooping out the seat and by carvers for hand carving bowls and troughs. They go by other names such as round shaves and inshaves. This one came to us quite recently and is just begging to be let loose! Perhaps on a rustic dough bowl?
Here is a video by Curtis Buchanan, a chairmaker, that shows a scorp in use (skip to the 7:30 minute mark):
As you can see this is a tool that can be quite aggressive in wood removal and in conjunction with a adze and a travisher can make, among other things, a beautiful chair seat.
Back to the shop…