Bench slave (woodworking support)

A bench slave is a support used with a woodworking bench. It carries part of a long board held on edge in the front vice, helping maintain the working position. Here the Norwegian name snekkerdreng denotes a tool, distinct from its historical meaning as a carpenter's assistant.

Craft documentation from Urnes stave church presents an example from Finnesloftet at Voss dated 1772 and another from Vuku. Both are described as supports for boards during bench work. They show that a work station could comprise several separate aids.

A bench slave differs from a bench dog gripping or stopping material on the bench top. Record the support point, height, connection to the bench and wear. Do not identify an isolated wooden component from shape alone. A date attached to a documented example dates that object, not the entire tool type.

Sources

• Urnes stavkyrkje: Høvelbenk, arbeidsbenk og billedhuggerbenk