Nautical Research Journal expensive that way).


‘I’ (blade shape # 12B ) is a blade shaped like the #12, but with two cutting edges; both the convex and concave sides of the blade are sharpened. T is is a tricky blade to use in dense rigging. Cutting anything in dense rigging with this blade can be risky because you can undo a year’s worth of work in a split-second when there are too many sharp edges fl ailing about. However, when the situation demands this type of blade, it cuts by either pulling or pushing. Having the


option again makes for some very effi cient cutting techniques, especially when using the pulling option.


‘J’ (shape #21) is a larger stronger blade that fi ts into the #3 handle. It is excellent for making cuts that require a little more pressure. I use it for most of the heavier cuts and also for scraping; with a little practice this blade will scrape almost anything to a mirror-like fi nish. ‘K’ is the aluminum packaging in which all the blades are encased; the colors of the package vary but the blades inside are all the same.


I build mostly brigs and frigates to 1:48 scale and make rigging blocks by the thousands; probably 2,500 blocks, or thereabouts, for a fully rigged frigate with sails. I could not manufacture the volume of blocks required (at least not in one lifetime) without these modifi ed handles and the #11 scalpel blades; it is probably fair to say that my procedures developed because scalpels are available. All the other cutting tools I have ever come across are just way too big, too clumsy, and too dull to do the jobs required. Other items that would be much more diffi cult (if not impossible) to make without using scalpels are parrels (both trucks and ribs), cleats, carvings, boat’s oars, log windlasses; the list is almost all- encompassing.


87


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