1920 HW 18' - outwales question

[samb]

I've started today to work on my OT HW. Just one job at a time so today I removed the outwales on one side. They are mahogany as stated on the build sheet and in poor condition to match their age. I was surprised to see they had been scarfed from two pieces using the 1920s equivalent of a router finger joint bit. Is this original? I imagine it was professionally done.


Sam

 

[smallboatshop]

Hi Sam,

Most likely original. Have seen many like it on Old Towns, especially Mahogany; also on war canoes gunwales. Worked on a 1920's war canoe a while back and the splice was still nice and tight.

Dan

 

[samb]

Thanks Dan.
As I was taking them off, I was wondering about whether I knew anyone with a big enough set up to own one of those cutters as it would be a far easier job than doing it by hand and probably harder to spot. Sheer coincidence that I found that was how it was done originally.
Sam