Images(2)

Gouge Adze

Date1780-1850

OriginEngland

MediumIron, steel, wood, leather

DimensionsOverall: 9 1/4 × 28 13/16 × 3 1/16 in (23.5 × 73.2 × 7.7cm)
Head: 9 1/4" x 3 1/16"

Credit LineBequest of Stephen C. Wolcott

Object number1936-403 (W)

DescriptionClassic form of the "pin poll" adze with a rectangular socket and an octagonal poll. Curved steel blade sharpened towards the handle side.Label TextWith a curved blade and a very sharp edge this tool was used to remove lots of wood in a short amount of time. Sometimes called a “hollowing” adze, it was especially useful in creating large cavities in big pieces of wood, as when carving a water trough from a log. The little projection opposite the blade was used to hammer obstructions like nails deep into the wood, so they wouldn’t damage the blade or interfere with the cutting action of the tool.Mark(s)Marked at the blade-to-socket junction with an indecipherable maker's name over a large "2."ProvenanceFrom the collection of Stephen C. Wolcott (1876-1934) of Gloucester, Virginia.