PLetch: I was actually trying to recall an article in the June, 1987, Volume II, issue of the Journal of Historical Armsmaking Technology, published and sold by the NMLRA. The article, at page 85, is titled, " Making and Using a Scratch-Stock for forearm Moldings. It is a right angle wood tool, with a slot cut on the inside of the angle. In that slot is fitted a piece of metal that has been cut to the design of the stock molding you desire. There are two adjusting screws on one axis, that hold the blade in the tool.
The Author, Russell L. Swanson, notes that the typical Molding plane is not very useful in cutting straight lines, in curly maple, for instance. The planes tend to tear out bits of wood at the curls. The Scratch Stock cuts more slowly, than the plane, but has no tendency to tear out wood between the curls. If kept sharp, and used carefully, the balde or iron leaves very little sanding necessary to finish the stock surface.
Basically, I would describe the tool as a scraper held in a right angle rigid handle. The straight sides of the wood tool allow you to index the tool on a straight side of the forestock.
In use, the tool is tipped over so that the blade shaves or " cuts" wood at an angle, similar to a plane. What that angle is depends on how much wood you desire to remove per stroke. The tool is pulled towards you, like a Japanese saw, when cutting wood.
I hope that clarifies. I found the copy of the book on my bookshelf this morning, and am looking at the article and pictures as I write this. :thumbsup:
