5. We are now to give some examples of the Tools or Instruments belonging to the Cordwainers alias Shoe-makers.
Cutting knife
XLI. He beareth a Shoe-makers cutting
Knife, between a Punching Lead, and an Aule.
This is the old way of making their Cutting Knife,
with an Haft: which many would rather take to be a
Poll-ax, an Instrument of War, than to belong to a
Shoe-maker.
Punching lead
The Punching-Lead, is for the Punching of Holes in
the instep and Langetts of a Shooe for the ties to go
through: the softness of which Lead secures the edge of
the Punch, which otherwise would soon be blunted if it
struck into an harder thing.
Awl
The Aule, is also termed a stitching Aule, or a sowing Aule: which then it should bend something in the
blade, and not be so streight.
Shoemaker's cutting knife
XLII. He beareth a Shoe-makers cutting
Knife, and a pegging Aule.
This is the Cutting Knife, now
in use, the blade and handle being all Iron and Steel: about which is usually sowed some foulds of Leather, either
red, black, or yellow, to secure the Hand, and for its more
stedfast and stedy holding.
Pegging awl
Paring knife
XLIII. He beareth a Paireing Knife
and an Heele Tack.
The point on the back of the Shoomakers pareing Knife
is to Score or Trace out the Leather before he venture
to cut it, according to the saying, Score twice before you Cut
once; else they will cut themselves out of Doors.
Heel tack
There is also two sorts of Tacks used by them, the
Sole Tack, it is only with a single nick about the
square head: and the Heel Tack, which is much larger
and longer, it having a double, some a treble nick about
the head.
Shoemaker's last
XLIV. He beareth a Shoomakers Last,
and a Shooe-sole. Some term this, a
Pattern for a Shooe-sole. of the first I have read
that a Cobler call'd to Death to bring him his Aule, but
he reached him his Last.
Shoe sole
Polishing stick and and bakers brake
XLV. He beareth a Shooemakers pollishing stick, (or Hollin stick)
and a Bakers
Brake, Ringed at the Ends. This is one of
St Hughes Bones (as they term all their Tools) and it is
that wherewith they polish and slicken their Leather,
when the Shooes are wrought up.
Petty boy
XLVI. He beareth a Petty Boy, or a
Shoomakers petty Boy, ...
Mounter
... between a Mounter ...
Dresser
... and a Dresser. These are all instruments belonging to the Cordwainers Occupation: and
are used generally for their burnishing and smoothing
down the Stitches, and to pair pieces of Leather
upon.
For other Instruments for Shoomaking, see the Plate following chap.8. numb.112. to 117.
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