Sorby auger bits, what are they for?

[coolford]

These auger bits average 30 inches long with the cutter on the bottom which is flat except for the cutter.  There are 8 sizes, all Sorby except one which has a round shaft while the others are square.  The handle fits the tang and is made of oak with a heavy brass section around the middle.

[gibsontool]

I have heard them refered to as doweling bits. I have a few kicking around some where but I don't recall ever trying one

[Lewill2]

Also called spoon bits from the shape.

[wvtools]

Is there a cutting lip on the bottom?  I cannot tell from the photo.  They look like nose bits or nose augers to me, which have a cutting lip on the bottom.  They are used to cut very straight holes across grain.  They are typically used by shipwrights, carbuilders (rr), chairmakers, barn buildings, wherever you need a really straight hole across the grain.  Based on the single handle and the very long shanks, I would set that is a shipwright's auger set.  They are also called pod augers.  Anything like that is a variety of a shell auger, as are spoon bits.

[coolford]

Yes, the cutting lip is on the bottom and the sides are not sharp.

[wvtools]

The side that trails the nose should be sharp.  They are usually beveled on the inside of the shell.  I misspoke about the pod augers.  Those usually are auger sized and look like short, fat spoon bits.