Sorby flat bottom augers

[coolford]

These augers have flat bottoms with the cutter at the bottom side and were made by Sorby in good old England.  The augers vary slightly in length but are about 30 inches long.  At the top is the handle that came with them and it is bound in brass where the hole is for the tang.  I came by them in a trade deal and know little about them.

[wvtools]

Those are called nose augers.  They usually required a pilot hole or divot to get started.  They are used to bore a very straight hole across the grain.  Bits with curved cutting lips will not follow the grain, like Cooks, Gedges, nose, spoon, etc.  That set most likely belonged to a shipwright with the long shanks and interchangeable handle.  It was probably used to bore holes  for bolts or pins.

I have also seen them called blind augers and lip augers, I think, but am not sure. 

[lptools]

Nice set of Augers!!

[coolford]

Thanks wvtools, I figured they were for a shipwright but didn't have a name for them.  I have never seen another set.