Antique Draw Knife

The antique draw knife is a simple tool used to shape wood by removing shavings. The draw knife is usually pulled towards the user. Depending on the size of the knife and edge of the blade it can remove large slices of wood or very thin shavings much like a plane.

The draw knife consists of a blade with a handle at each end. Some later draw knives like the one pictured below had wooden handles that folded in against the blade. This was more a convenience for storing the tools, but the folded handles could also be set at different angles which might make the draw knife a little easier to use.

The blade usually has a one sided blade with the bevel of the blade usually facing upward. Draw knives were made in various widths. Many are stamped with a number that indicates the width of the blad. A No. 8 draw knife, for example, has a blade that is eight inches long. A No. 10 draw knife's blade is 10" longs and so forth.

It is a traditional woodworking tool that has been used for hundreds of years. Its main purpose is to remove large slices of wood, to debark trees or to create rounded cylinders. It's usually used for roughing out the work, not for finish work.

The David R. Barton and his sons were involed in several tool companies between 1832 and 1880. Many of the older draw knives made by D.R. Barton are stamped with the D.R. Barton Logo. Tool Co. or Rochester, NY as is seen in the picture.

Drawknife by the C.E. Jennings Company. This one features handles that fold when it's not being used. They also can be adjusted at different angles depending on user preference.

Draw Knife

Jenning Draw Knife

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Draw Knives That Other Visitors Have Shared

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Not sure if this is a draw knife
We received an inquiry about an "East Corinth Blacksmith School" along with a picture of a graduating class from this school, circa 1850s. The picture …

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I have a collection of draw knives - about 50, good-not so good and in between. The one I question now has the name SHAPI FIGH'S ON THE BLADE, IT IS …

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I acquired a jennings 10 1/2 and one handle is loose. How can I tighten it up to make the knife useable again ?

Folding Handle Draw Knife - Winsted Edge Tool Works
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James Swan 8" Draw Knife
I picked up this draw knife along with a bucket of other draw knives, chisels, and lathe tools at an estate sale. It has the name James Swan stamped into …

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