Hook knives, left & right

[Philip Davies]

Since it’s our company’s policy not to sell the knives we have been given, it sometimes falls to me to destroy them. Sometimes I simply put them in a vice and break them with a hammer. But they can fly off through a pane! When I have a fire going, I throw them into the flames, and when they are red, I bend them over. Last time I did this, it seemed to be a nice curve. Looking at it, I remembered seeing images of these hook knives, so it did not take long to harden and temper them. Putting scales on the tangs took rather longer. I still have a stock of rosewood,etc from school marimbas I salvaged once, so that’s what they are.
This was all just for fun, since, to be candid, I do not know what use they are. Is it the case that they originate from carving dugouts? In America, or Australasia? Somebody surely knows!

[mklotz]

Aren't they called 'scorps'? Used to hollow out spoons, bowls, chair seats, etc..

[Philip Davies]

Aren't they called 'scorps'? Used to hollow out spoons, bowls, chair seats, etc..

Thanks. Yes, I suppose so.
This is my idea of a scorp.

[clavius]

I have seen reproductions of American colonial era hook knives that are somewhat similar but the hook on the end is smaller. I was told that the main uses were as Marv said, for doing things like hollowing out wooden spoons and bowls, and for rough cutting of the hollowed out area of wooden rifle stocks.

[DIYer]

Thanks Philip Davies! We've added your Hook Knives to our Knife Making category,
as well as to your builder page: Philip Davies's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Hook Knives by Philip Davies

tags: knife