Edward A Andreae-Jones
'OLD' - The late 19th century to 1920; 'CLASSIC' - 1920 to 1945; 'POST WAR' - 1945 to date
The 'A-J' Tool Collection
Edward A Andreae-Jones
'OLD' - The late 19th century to 1920;
'CLASSIC' - 1920 to 1945;
'POST WAR' - 1945 to date
1) SCAFFOLDERS HAMMER - UP COUNTRY - OLD
From the days of wooden scaffolding, held together with rope. The only other example I have seen is in Gorran Parish Folk Museum, near Porthscatho, where it is wrongly described as a 'hatchet'.
2) COBBLERS HAMMER - BERE ALSTON - OLD
This type of hammer is still used by cobblers in some Mediterranean countries.
3) HINGE ARM - BERE ALSTON OLD
Beautifully hand forged
4) STONE HEDGING HAMMER - YELVERTON - OLD
Works by its own weight
5) DECOY MAKERS AXE - BATH - MODERN
Designed by and made for the late Bob Ridges, master decoy maker, who taught me.
6) THATCHERS AXE - BERE ALSTON - OLD
In reality an axe (and I handled it as such) but also very effective as a hammer ( and I have used it in preference to a claw hammer for many years). Note the the blade is handed. A thatcher would have used this tool for sharpening the points of spars (driven in to hold down the thatch) and for general hammering.
7) TINSMITHS HAMMER - CALLINGTON - OLD
Could have been used at Doney & Hancock, where in bygone days, they made kettles and other kitchen items.
8) TRAPPING SPADE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Used in the setting of traps for rabbits and moles - identified from an exhibit in Gorran Parish Folk Museum.
9) BIDDEX - LOCAL - OLD
Half a mattock! Would have had a long handle. Used principally for hedging - cutting roots and turves for hedging use.
10) MINERS PICK - BERE FERRERS - OLD
Found during earthworks - some 6 feet below ground. Would have been swung using both hands.
11) BARKING IRON - COLLYTOWN FARM, BERE ALSTON - OLD
Originally used to de-bark timber. The bark was then treated to extract tannin, used in the tanning of leather. Edwin Viggers, who gave it to me, had used it for many years to clean the mud off plough shares.
12) BLACKSMITH'S TONGS - CALLINGTON - OLD
I use it to hold a cold chisel, when it is being hit with a sledge hammer - much safer!
13) STONE BREAKERS HAMMER - ST DOMMINIC - OLD
Given to me by a lady, then in her eighties. It had belonged to her grandfather, who broke stone into ballast fo repairing roads. This large hammer was used for the first breaking stage.
14) REED HOOK - ST DOMMINIC - OLD
For harvesting Tamar reed for thatching.
15) PATCH HOOKS - LOCAL - CLASSIC
For clearing scrub and hedging. The hook with an aluminium tube on its handle belonged to a professional woodman at Harrowbarrow. I bought it because of its unusual handle. Why that type of handle? The first time I used it and threw it down, I realised the purpose was to make it conspicuous and easy to find. The notch was used for straining wire.
16) CAULKING IRON - POOLE - CLASSIC
For driving caulking cotton into the joints between the planks forming the deck or hull of boats. A reminder that I started my working life in a boatyard!
17) HURDLE MAKERS AXE - LOCAL - OLD
Would also have been used for making artifacts out of hazel. Suitable for both chopping and splitting, like a froe.
18) FROE - GULWORTHY - OLD
Used to split the trunks of young trees for fencing rails. Note the waisted handle, which makes it a joy to carry.
19) HANDED AXE - BRISTOL - MODERN
A hand made general purpose tool of good quality, which I have greatly enjoyed using. An ideal forester's tool.
20) A FORESTER'S AXE - HOLES HOLE - CLASSIC
A former user maintained quarry machinery and this is reflected in the brazing repair to its head.
20A) MADE FROM A U.S. ARMY ENTRENCHING TOOL - LOCAL CLASSIC
Originally US Army issue, from the time when American Troops were stationed here during the last War. It was made with a broad blade, which bent, when it came into hard contact with Cornish shillet. The tool was then thrown way, to be rescued by Locals, who converted them into the form of 20A. Most useful for general garden work.
21) A CHIPPING HAMMER - PLYMOUTH - POST WAR
A traditional tool used by local welders. I had great difficulty in getting it. Probably hand forged.
22) MINERS HAND PICK - LOCAL - OLD
The slightly up-turned hammer head is typical. When being used on the roof of a tunnel, the up-turn kept the remainder of the tool head clear of the roof.
22A) MINER'S PICK HEAD - LOCAL - OLD
24) MATTOCK HEAD - LOCAL - 0LD
Hand forged.
25) SPALLING HAMMER - LOCAL - OLD
Used by Ladies ("Baal Maidens") to break up Copper Ore. May well have been used at Morwellham.
26) TAMAR VALLEY DIBBLER - LOCAL - OLD
Much of the early local land was steep and had to be cultivated on the worker's knees. This is one of this type of tool, which was used for cultivating such land. Blacksmith made.
27) FORESTER'S AXE (ADAPTED) - LOCAL - OLD
An old head, which evidently had an additional fitting on the back of its head. I guessed it might have been a Froe (see 18) and had this made and fitted by Dave Stroud.
28) SHIP'S BOARDING AXE - LOCAL - OLD
The fact that it is a ship's axe is given away by the size and thiness of the blade (ideal for cutting heavy rope). The addition at the back of the head, was almost certainly a spike, making it a boarding axe.
29) ADZE - BRISTOL - POST WAR
Classic Shipwright's tool.
30) PULLEY - LOCAL - OLD
From the Tamar Sailing Barge (now long since gone) which was owned by the Richards' family at Cargreen. Would have been used to fasten the ropes controlling the foresail. The double hooks allowed for quick fastening and unfastening it.
31) MEAT CLEAVER - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Never handled or used. Odd.
32) TIMBER HOOK - NORTH DEVON - CLASSIC
Used for pulling felled timber out of woods by horse.
33) MEAT CLEAVER - LOCAL - CLASSIC
34) CROSS CUT SAWS - LOCAL - CLASSIC
35) KETTLE WITH 'LAZY BACK' OR 'LAZY JACK' - LOCAL - OLD
The second item was used to pour the kettle. Note the round cleat on the top of the kettle, useed to hold the string of a muslin bag, containing food to be boiled in the kettle - once a common practice.
36) IRON - ST. DOMINICK - OLD
The iron inserts were heated in the fire and then put into the iron. Note the 'poker hole' in one of these, which made for easier handling.
37) BUTTER CHURCH - WALES - CLASSIC
Made in Haverfordwest - on brass plate, including 'Duchy of Cornwall' authentication.
COAT RACK - ST. MELLION - OLD
Proof of the old adage 'A square peg in a round hole'. The pegs were made square, because they held tighter and no glue was needed.
38) DIDDY HOE - LOCAL - OLD
The swan neck was used to make the drill (channel) in which seeds were to be planted.
39) SWORD - LOCAL - OLD
This started life as a working sword, but at some time, its blade was lengthened, probably to convert it into a dress sword.
40) ST. IVES MACKEREL DRIVER - CORNWALL - CLASSIC
41) PULLEY WHEELS - COTEHELE MILL - OLD
42) JUMP BAR - LOCAL - OLD
Used for making holes in hard ground, often to take sticks of dynamite.
43) HEAD OF FISHERMANS GAFF - LOCAL - CLASSIC
44) HANDY BILLY TACKLE - LOCAL - OLD
Used for lifting or pulling. From the Richards' family's sailing barge - see 30.
45) PANEL SAW - LOCAL - CLASSIC
46) HAY KNIFE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
47) SIDED HAND AXE - FRENCH - CLASSIC
Handed.
48) HARNESS FASTENING - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Would have been used on the shaft of a horse's cart.
49) DECOY FISH - U.S.A. - CLASSIC
Suspended through a hole in the ice, to attract fish, which were then harpooned!
50) BUTCHER'S HANGING HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
51) STAIRCASE SAW - LOCAL - CLASSIC
One homemade - for cutting the grooves in staircase risers and treads.
52) PLANTING HOE - LOCAL - OLD
Would have had a long handle. You drove the blade into the ground, pushed the handle down to open a hole, put the plant in, and then firmed it in, with your heel.
53) COOKING JACK - LOCAL - OLD
For holding pots over a fire. You swung it out, put the pot on, swung it back to the fire, and then adjusted its height for the heat you wanted.
54) POT HOLDER - LOCAL - OLD
For use with two handled pots.
55) GANTRY HOOK - COTEHELE MILL - OLD
Originally the two holes would have held a roller.
55A) SCRAPER - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Made from a worn out file.
56) WHEELWRIGHT'S SPANNER - UP COUNTRY - OLD
57) COOKING JACK - LOCAL - OLD
See also 53.
58) JUMP BAR - DITTISHAM - OLD
For well digging - the curved end allows you to dig straight down when using the bar in a restricted space.
57A) REED HOOK - ST. DOMINIC - OLD
For cutting water reed. Reed from the River Tamar was used for local thatching.
58A) CARGO HOOK - POOLE - OLD
Used for unloading ship's cargos.
59) PULLEY HOOK - CARGREEN - OLD
From the Richards family's Tamar Barge. Even in 'they days' utility took priority to glamour!
60) HACKSAW - EX W D - OLD
61) BOW TYPE SAW - COTEHELE - OLD
62) IRON HOOK (FORGED) - LOCAL - OLD
62A) HEAVY LIFTING HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Could well have been used in a local Quarry.
63) JIB HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Used on yacht's to clip the foresail to the forestay.
64) ADZE HEAD - LOCAL - OLD
Hand forged and case hardened. The heavy burr on the hammer part is surprising, becuase an Adze is primarily a woodworking tool.
65) SOLDERING IRON! - LOCAL - OLD
The original type. Primitive but effective for heavy work.
66) TRAP - LOCAL - OLD
Rabbits etc - long since illegal.
67) CARGO HOOK - CARGREEN - OLD
CF. 58A - Another item from the Richards family's Tamar Barge.
68) PULLEY - LOCAL - OLD
Same source as 67.
69) SACK HOOK - COTEHELE - OLD
Used for hauling up 2 sacks at a time.
70) BOATHOOK HEAD - LOCAL - CLASSIC
You can do a great deal of inadvertant damage with the long point!
71) PUMP HANDLE - LOCAL - OLD
Would normally have been used on a well pump.
72) BOSUN'S CHAIR - LOCAL - CLASSIC
You sat on the board and were then pulled up the boat's mast to do minor repairs, which otherwise, would have needed the mast to be taken down.
Top right of picture frame) BRUSHING HOOK - STICKLEPATH - OLD
Made at Finch Foundary. Now owned by the National Trust.
72A) CURLING TONGS - LOCAL - OLD
See 96
72B) BRUSHING HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
For hedging - made from a scythe blade.
72C) WOOD CARVING GOUGE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
72D) ROOFER'S SLATING HAMMER - LOCAL - CLASSIC
73) BOATHOOK HEAD - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Someone was wise enough to cut off the spike - CF. 70.
74) SALMON NET BUOY - RIVER TAMAR - POST WAR
75) BOW SAW - UP COUNTRY - POST WAR
In Canada trappers carried this type of saw in their canoes - fold down small, float and capable of hard work.
76) ROWLOCKS (GUNMETAL) - PLYMOUTH - POST WAR
Also, behind 75, folding dingy anchor.
77) CROSS CUT SAWS (2) - LOCAL - CLASSIC
78A) MARLIN SPIKE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Used for splicing wire rope.
78B) ROOF SLATER'S HAMMER - LOCAL - CLASIC
78D) WOODWORKER'S GOUGE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
Intended for heavy work - Shipwrighting?
78C) 'SADDLER'S PULL' - LOCAL - CLASSIC
For straining leather
78E) MINERAL PROSPECTING HAMMER - HOLES HOLE - OLD
Found buried.
78F) CROSS (BLESSED) - LOCAL - OLD
Made from an old dock digger.
78G) CLAW HAMMER - HOLES HOLE - OLD
Found buried - Blacksmith made.
78H) STAIRCASE SAW - LOCAL - OLD
78I) ADJUSTABLE PLUMBER'S WRENCH - LOCAL - OLD
Made by the Plumber, for his own use. He must have been very sure of the sizes he was working with.
79) SOLDERING IRON - HOLES HOLE - OLD
I had to dig down 4 feet to repair old lead water pipe, and discovered that, when last repaired, the plumber had left his soldering iron there!
84 AND 87 2 OTHER EXAMPLES OF OLD LOCAL SOLDERING IRONS.
80) STONE MASONS' HAMMER - CULWORTHY - OLD
81) BRAMBLE (OR LOCALLY 'BRIMBLE') HOOK - HOLES HOLE - POST WAR
Has serrated cutting edge - most useful.
82) BRUSHING HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
For paring hedges.
83) HOE - CARGREEN - CLASSIC
From the Richards' family.
85) 'PATENT' HAMMER HEAD - LOCAL - POST WAR
86) PAIR OF COBBLER'S LASTS - LOCAL - OLD
The spike was driven into a log to hold it.
88) HOT WATER BOTTLE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
I remember them from childhood.
88A) TAP - UP COUNTRY - OLD
Probably from a Steam Engine.
89) FARRIER'S PINCERS - LOCAL - OLD
For taking nails out of horse's hooves.
90) STONE MASON'S HAMMER - GULWORTHY - OLD
91) PIKE - LOCAL - OLD
The local name for a pitch fork. In the bad old days, when you were called on to fight, this would literally have been your pike.
92) POTATO HOE - LOCAL - CLASSIC
93) TAMAR VALLEY DIBBLER - LOCAL - OLD
Much of the 'early' market garden and flower growing land was on steep slopes (to catch the sun) and had to be worked, literally, on your knees. This is one of the tools used. It is unusual, becuase of the length of its blade.
95) CLASSIC TAMAR VALLEY DIBBLER - LOCAL - OLD
94) STONE BREAKING HAMMER - ST. DOMMINIC - OLD
Given to me by an old lady, who said it was her grandfather's, whose job was to break stone into ballast for repairing the roads. He sat on the ground to do this, with his eyes protected by wire mesh goggles. In front of him would be a pile of the ballast he had made. He was paid on a piece-work basis.
96) PERUKIER'S TONGS - LOCAL - OLD
My guess is that these were used for curling wigs - not live hair on the head. See 72A.
97) END CUTTERS - LOCAL - OLD
Blacksmith and beautifully made.
98) CORNISH SHOVEL - LOCAL - OLD
With natural handle. When do you cut such a handle? When you see it! Otherwise someone else will take it.
99) PERPETUAL CALENDAR - CALLINGTON - OLD
Was in Hancock's (Solicitors) Office.
100) GARDEN SPRAY - LOCAL - OLD
For greenhouse use.
101) SUPPORT HOOK - HORSEPOOL
For chimney or vent pipe.
102) IRON HANGING HOOK - HORSEPOOL
Blacksmith made.
103) SOLDERING IRON - LOCAL
The earliest type.
104) COOPER'S PLANE - UPCOUNTRY
For barrel making.
105) BOAT HOOK - DARTMOUTH
Traditional Fisherman's type. Large hook for picking up the buoy ropes of lobster and crab pots.
106) COLLAPSIBLE ANCHOR - LOCAL
Holds well on rocky ground.
107) HANDY BILLY TACKLE - LOCAL
With Hook.
108) THATCHER'S COOMB - OKEHAMPTON
Used for the final finishing of a straw thatched roof.
109) MILL SPANNERS - COTEHELE - OLD
110) THATCHER'S NEEDLE - OKEHAMPTON - OLD
111) HACKSAW - UP COUNTRY - OLD
112) CHAIN SLING - YELVERTON - OLD
Used by a Builder.
113) HEAD OF POTATO HOE - LOCAL - OLD
114) OAR - HOLES HOLE - CLASSIC
115) ? - YELVERTON - OLD
Probably used in the building trade.
116) SHIP'S BLOCKS - LOCAL - CLASSIC
116A) VISKY (MATTOCK) HEAD - LOCAL - OLD
117) HOE HEAD - LOCAL - CLASSIC
118) BALLAST RAKE, WITH - LOCAL - OLD
119) FORGED HOOK, HANGING FROM IT - COTEHELE - OLD
120) GRASS HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
BLADES OF:-
121) BRUSHING HOOKS - LOCAL - CLASSIC
122) PATCH HOOK - LOCAL - CLASSIC
123) DAISY LIFTER - LOCAL - CLASSIC
124) VISKY - DEVON - CLASSIC
125) HAND SCHLUM - HOLES HOLE - CLASSIC
Most useful.
126) DOMESTIC ASH SHOVEL - DEVON - CLASSIC
Blade cut down - for garden use.
127) 'PUSH STICK' - HORSEPOOL - POST WAR
For use with a grass hook.
128) SHEEP SHEARS - CALLINGTON - POST WAR
129) SPLITTING CHISEL - HOLES HOLE - CLASSIC
130) ROSE FORK - CALLINGTON - POST WAR
Adapted from garden fork, which bent too easily.
131) PICK - HOLES HOLE - CLASSIC
The design of the head facilitates lifting and moving heavy pieces of granite. (Tip under - lift and swing).
132) MANURE FORK - CALLINGTON - POST WAR
133A) SCHLUM - HOLES HOLE - POST WAR
Made from a Scottish pitch fork - used to cultivate and for rough raking.
133) CLASSIC SCHLUM - HOLES HOLE - POST WAR
Made, as they normally are, from a worn manure fork.
134) CORNISH SHOVEL - BERE ALSTON - CLASSIC
135) CORNISH SPADE - CARGREEN - CLASSIC
Used by the Richards' family.
136) BULB/POTATO PLANTER - DEVON - OLD
