To fix them in
the boxwood handles, place the blade in a vise, leaving the unpolished
part above the jaws; hold the handle above this, and commence driving
it down, taking care that the blade is penetrating the middle of the
handle. Continue tapping the handle until the ferrule reaches the
polished part of the blade; it will then be in far enough.
* Transcriber's Note: Original diamond vertical instead of horizontal.
A good serviceable pair of clams may be made by taking two staves of a
good-sized barrel, and cutting about 10 inches off the end of each.
Screw together with three screws (as in Fig. 4), and shape the
uppermost ends so that the outsides meet in a sharp ridge along the
top; this will give a flat surface within the mouth, by which a hold
of the work may be obtained. A two-inch screw will be long enough for
the bottom, which must be turned in as tightly as possible; the others
must not be less than 3 inches, as there will be a space of 11/2 or two
inches between the staves at the part where they are inserted. Screw
these just tight enough to give a good sharp spring to the mouth of
the clams when they are pressed open; this will insure the work being
held firmly while being sewn. Sandpaper them over to give a smooth
appearance, and these will be found as useful as bought ones.
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