Medieval / Ancient Bowyer tools?

[markinengland]

Looks to me like the guy using the "harness burnisher" is using a draw knife to shape a male wooden pattern over which a piece of armour could be hammered.
I don't think any useful tool could burnish steel in the way suggested! Apart from making a horrid noise and maybe doing a little scratching I can't see that it would achive anything else!
Mark in England

[babbott]

I've seen a harness burnisher like that.  It's actually a piece of wood with leather attached.  The leather is impregnated with abrasive (pumice, or what have you) and rubbed on the parts of armor that need cleaning up.  It works a treat, kind of like a strop for razors.
-Ben

[bobnewboy]

Jeesh! That would sure make planing out a bow a lot easier. Would like to see a detailed picture of one though so we can build one. Bet it would save a lot of time making the bows.

I have actually found one of these, and have now ordered one for myself, and one for a friend (a better bowyer than I!!)  Unfortunately it is from a non-PA-advertising (as far as I know) primitive supplier in Europe, so I cant add a link here.  When I get it (2 weeks or so) I will post a picture.