Shipwright's Peg-Poll Adze

Description
This standard adze personifies the shipwrights trade. It is a single-edged cutting tool that has to be used vigorously with a chopping motion in shaping the timber. The double curved haft (or helve) gives the tool the essential balance without which the shipwright would find it unmanageable for his work needs. The helve, usually of ash or hickory, needs to be a good fit in the palm of the hand, it can be used in any direction without undue fatigue, and the shipwright has absolute control over his adze. The helve has an oval section, and this in the hand helps to control the blade. A shipwright would try not to polish the helve too much, because control would be lost with it swivelling in the hand. The peg poll was used for driving spikes or bolts below the surface when dubbing down.

On the underside of this adze there is an inscription of the makers name 'W Gilpin', above which there is the figure of a sun with a crown inside it, and the number 2 above the sun. This probably denotes the size of the adze which were made in four different sizes 1 to 4. On the handle is the name 'A Letley'.
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