Object number
52/28
Description
This stock knife was a clogger's tool for shaping a block of wood into the form of a shoe sole with an instep. It consists of a straight bladed knife with a hook at one end for attaching to the stool, and a curved handle with a wooden grip at the end. The clogger would work the knife with his right hand, like a guillotine, and moved the block as each cut was made. It was used up until 1952 at Hackthorpe, Cumbria.
Physical description
1 knife: metal; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: '...Clogging has been an old woodland craft since the 13th century, with clog sole cutters moving around from one estate to another. Their strong hold was the North of England, but they were also found whereever alder grows. There are still a few hand clog makers left in Cumberland, though most of the work is done by machine, for there is a steady demand for clogs from pit workers, mill workers, dairy workers and farm hands.
Most clogs are made of alder or Birch because these woods are less likely to split. The poles are cross-cut with a saw into a number of short lengths. These are then cleft and trimmed with an axe or a stock knife into rough blocks rather larger than the finished sole. This is called "breaking up". The blocks are then left to dry for a few months...
Mr Shepherd's family have been cloggers for generations (His father, his grandfather and his grandfather's uncle were all cloggers). He uses birch wood whenever he can get it, and buys the leathers and the irons ready made...'
Production date
1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31
Production period
Nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
