Colonial tool?

[Hunthicks]

This was found along with a couple early 1700s coins. The way it fits in my hand it feels perfectly balanced, so I was thinking some sort of leatherworking or maybe carving tool?

 

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[Breezie]

Interesting . . .what is it made out of? Breezie

 

[Hunthicks]

It's solid copper as far as I can tell.

 

[IronSpike]

Nice find Hunthicks I think you're right on the carving/engraving tool. Maybe a craver:

http://www.search.exploringthepotte...irection=1&pointer=7487&text=0&resource=16356

 

[Breezie]

Nice find Hunthicks I think you're right on the carving/engraving tool. Maybe a craver:

http://www.search.exploringthepotte...irection=1&pointer=7487&text=0&resource=16356

We have a winner!

 

[Hunthicks]

Works for me! I found bits of thin copper around, so makes sense. Hoping a return trip will bring out some more goodies!

 

[Lucas]

Nice find Hunthicks I think you're right on the carving/engraving tool. Maybe a craver:

http://www.search.exploringthepotte...irection=1&pointer=7487&text=0&resource=16356

Not so fast!

A graver is a very hard steel tool designed to take a handle.

The what's it is not designed to take a handle, and doesn't look like tool steel.

Tools are normally designed to be harder than the material they work. If it is copper...

The what's it may be for sgraffito work on pottery, or might just be one of those one of a kind hand made tools that we will never know. But it's not a graver for engraving work. I have used those.

 

[IronSpike]

Nice find Hunthicks I think you're right on the carving/engraving tool. Maybe a craver:

http://www.search.exploringthepotte...irection=1&pointer=7487&text=0&resource=16356

Not so fast!

A graver is a very hard steel tool designed to take a handle.

The what's it is not designed to take a handle, and doesn't look like tool steel.

Tools are normally designed to be harder than the material they work. If it is copper...

The what's it may be for sgraffito work on pottery, or might just be one of those one of a kind hand made tools that we will never know. But it's not a graver for engraving work. I have used those.

I don't think this tool had a handle. Are all gravers made of steel?

Could be a carving/engraving tool for pottery, but wouldn't wood work for that. Maybe tool for softer material than copper

 

[niffler]

I have heard of copper tools being used to knap flint...like to make arrowheads, or sharpen gun flints. Maybe? Niffler

 

[Hunthicks]

Pottery would make sense - this tool was almost surely handmade, and given the area had lots of trading between the natives and early settlers a pottery tool would make sense. Either way, it's a pretty cool find for me; it's one of those personal type finds. The flat/beveled end would seem to work for scraping or making a mark in something soft, as the other end being pointed would keep you from tapping it.
Thanks for all the ideas!!