I enjoy woodworking and have decided to re-create the tools that were used during the period of my persona which is the 16th century. There are many examples of carpentry tools found aboard the shipwreck of the Mary Rose (Chapter 8)1. I started by making the most simple of tools in a modern fashion and when possible used these tool to create later tools.
The first tool I made was a wood carving knife using a branch of maple cut and put on the lathe and a scrap piece of mild steel.
The second tool was a bow drill which I made from another branch of maple a scrap of the same mild steel to make the drill bit, some hemp twine, and a poplar dowel. I used the knife to cut the twine and perform any other basic cutting/shaping. I used a modern lathe rather then using a period lathe as I currently have not made or have access to a period one.
The third tool made was a mallet made from a Cherry wood branch I milled on modern equipment.
For the fourth tool I made a chisel to accompany the mallet using a 5/8th rod of mild steel which I heated and hammered to a flat point. The handle was made using a piece of poplar dowel.
The fifth tool made was an awl which was made from the same dowel used in the prior tools and nail which I ground the head to a point.
For the final tool I made a hand auger. I scarified a modern drill bit to create the point. The handle was made with poplar dowel. I tried to use the earlier made bow drill but it was not effective as it did not have enough weight and so I went to a modern drill.
During this project I learned that it takes a lot more effort with period tools, but it is supremely satisfying. If I was to do this project again I would give myself more time, which would allow me to use my period tools more in the creation of my other tools. I would also, use the correct weight for the push drill. I was limited on the weight of drill I could create as I did not have a way to grind a stone into the correct shape/weight which would normally make the drill much more effective.
- “Chapter 8.” Before the Mast. Life and Death Aboard the Mary Rose. 2 Vols, by Julie Gardiner, Oxbow Books, 2014, pp. 294–326. ↩︎