67/34

A shave is used to shave and reduce the thickness of a willow skein after it has been split with the cleave to prepare it for weaving. This shave consists of an oblong bock of wood with a steel plate and blade, with one screw for adjustment. It was used by the donor, his father and grandfather - a family of basketmakers from London. It is believed that this shave dates from the 1840s.

This is a part of a small collection of basketmaking tools (67/32-67/40) used by the donor (William Brown), his father (James 'Joe' Brown, who worked for G. W. Scott and Sons, a basketmaking firm in London) and grandfather. Mr William Brown gives his address as the London Association for the Blind, which had a factory in Peckham and which employed blind men in the manufacture of baskets, knitting needles and injection moulded plastics., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: SHAVE. // Acc. No.: 67/34 // Group: CRAFTS. WOOD BASKETS // Neg. no.: 60/8577 // Place of origin: Peckham. London. // Period in use: 1880–1920 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: metal/Steel and brass, Wood/pear? // User: Wm. [William] Brown // Shape and construction: An oblong block of wood (?pear) to which is screwed a steel plate on a brass hinge. Over this is a fixed blade. The plate is set at adjustable height below the blade by a screw at the other end of the block. // Dimensions: L. [length] 4” W. [width] 1 1/4” D. [depth] 1” W. [width] of blade 1 1/4” // Use: For reducing the thickness of a split willow. The second stage in making a skein. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: Further History: Use by Wm. [William] Brown’s father who worked with G. Scott & Sons, Tower St. W.C.1. see also 66/279.'

1840 - 1967

London Association for the Blind ()
Brown, James 'Joe' ()
G. W. Scott and Sons ()
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)