THE MARKING KNIFE

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WOODWORKER’S MARKING KNIVE (STRIKING KNIFE)

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A woodworker’s marking knife, is a simple and yet a very important ‘marking out’ tool. It is one of the first tools that woodworkers are taught to use, when beginning their career. It is used to precisely mark lines, into the surface of wood and acts as a guide for a chisel or saw. For example, when marking out finger joints, dovetail joints or marking a length of wood to be cut to size.
It has two functions, the first is to mark a line that can be seen. The second function is for the sharp ‘blade’ to cut into the wood surface (cutting the fibres), which prevents a splintered edge being produced, when sawing or chiselling. Some woodworkers mark with a knife first and then go over the line with a sharp pencil. This means the line to be seen more easily.

The two main styles of marking knife can be seen below. The single bevel edge knife, is the most common and is either right handed or left handed, dependant on the user. The alternative is a double, bevel edge type, which is suitable for both left and right handed people. The handles are normally manufactured from a hard wood, with the best quality being rose wood (cheaper versions have plastic handles). They have hardened steel blades (tool steel quality), ground to a steep angle, which produces the sharp marking edge.
Marking knives should be sharpened regularly.

USING THE MARKING KNIFE

THE STRAIGHT EDGE OF THE KNIFE IS PLACED AGAINST THE TRY SQUARE’S BLADE. THE BEVEL FACES THE WASTE WOOD SIDE.

USING A MARKING KNIFE 'LINE' TO GUIDE A CHISEL

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