Subtriangular Form

Chisel-point, but bevelled apparently on face only. This curious specimen is not definitely triangular, but has flat sloping sides that merge imperceptibly into a rounded back. Thus the cross-section might perhaps be more appropriately styled semicircular than subtriangular. The peculiarity of this specimen lies in the fact that the bevel, or facet, that forms the cutting-edge is on the curved face of the tool. This would make it a very difficult matter to secure the implement to a haft, unless a semicircular groove was gouged out of the foot of the handle, and in which the tool might be fitted prior to being lashed on. We notice this peculiarity in one of the sharply triangular forms described elsewhere. In only one case out of a great many adze-handles observed have we noted any interference with the foot of the handle. They are almost invariably flat, or, as occasionally seen, with a rectangular shoulder. But it must be remembered that these handles do not date from the stone age of New Zealand, which may be said to have passed away by about the year 1830, but were made for lashing steel blades thereto, often plane-irons.

This specimen (Fig. 82, Plate XVII) is 7 in. long, and 2 in. wide at the cutting-edge, whence it narrows towards the poll, which is page 2951¼ in. wide. It is slightly over 1 in. thick at the shoulder, and becomes thinner towards the butt end. Its weight is 1 lb. The face is straighter (flatter) longitudinally than is common, and is convex transversely at the cutting-edge and for some distance back from it. Thus it was what Evans terms a "bastard gouge." But to fasten this tool on to a handle would be a puzzle, if it were to be used as was the ordinary adze. The back of the tool being semicircular, it would not lie flat on the face of the haft for lashing, and hence it would be difficult to secure it firmly. If let into a groove in the foot of the handle the difficulty would disappear. The butt end of the back has not been flattened in order that it might lie better on a flat surface, but has, on the contrary, been chipped so as to render it more triangular in section than the other part. If hafted in the usual manner, with the flat face against the handle, the tool would be a most awkward one to work with, for this would bring the face with the shoulder and deep bevel in contact with the timber being worked, and the prominent shoulder would interfere with the work. Moreover, the curve of the cutting-edge would be upward, and this would make it an impossible sort of tool to work with. The two corners of the cutting-edge would dig into the timber being worked, and prevent a chip being taken off. The cutting-edge has been considerably chipped, and never reground. This specimen is a very odd form, and in order to make it a useful tool there must have been some such accommodating peculiarity about the handle as that described above. As to the cause of this odd form, it seems to have been entirely due to the shape of the stone when struck off from the boulder. The tool is but partially ground, and shows much of the bruising or hammering process by which the surface was prepared for grinding. The flat face shows an undoubted natural line of cleavage, and it is clear that the stone was a piece struck off a boulder having a flat face and a rounded one, the one end being thicker than the other. At this thick end it fell away abruptly in thickness, thus giving a naturally formed bevel to form a cutting-edge. All the workman had to do was to chip the sides down to a desired form and commence grinding operations.

Another specimen of a similar nature, but with a concave face and only roughly chipped, is undoubtedly a spawl struck off the face of a water-worn boulder, the cause of the longitudinal concavity of the face being a flaw in the stone, along which flaw the stone split. The tool has been badly chipped, and is probably a reject. The back is convex longitudinally to a marked degree, and has been chipped at the lower end to form the blade. Had the blade been ground it would have been a very thin one.

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In Fig. 82a, Plate XXIV, we have an implement of curious form and fine finish, one of the most interesting items in the Buller Collection. A cross-section of this tool might be termed subtriangular, but approaches an ovoid form. The sides have been so worked down as to be represented merely by somewhat sharply defined edges, which implies that both face and back are transversely convex to an unusual extent. This tool is 8 in. long, 1⅞ in. wide across the cutting-edge, whence it narrows to 1¼ in. at the poll. Thickness in centre, ⅞ in. Weight, 12 oz. Material, black aphanite. The form is a peculiar one, owing to a marked longitudinal curve of the tool from a side view, the face being convex longitudinally to a most marked extent, and the back concave in a like direction. The blade-bevel on the back is 2¼ in. long, and markedly concave transversely. The angle of the same is low, from 40° to 20°. This tool must have been used for light work only, and, on account of its form, would cut a groove or channel like that formed by a shallow gouge. The butt end has been reduced on the face and sides for the lashing, and the poll is rough but all the rest of the tool is ground to a very fine smooth surface, save a strip on the back, which the grinder has not touched on account of that part being slightly hollow.

In a few cases the face is concave longitudinally from the poll to the beginning of the blade part. Longitudinal concavity is, however, more frequently seen on the back of the tool, where it extends from the shoulder to the poll. In cases where one face, front or back, is concave, it is usually noted that a marked convexity occurs on the opposite face. This latter feature accentuates the concavity to the eye of the observer, and represents a peculiar and uncommon form. Such a shape may have been caused by the peculiar cleavage of the stone of which the implement was made.