Marking knife

A marking knife (striking knife) is a woodworking layout tool. It is used to scribe a line to be followed by a hand saw or chisel when making woodworking joints and other operations.

Marking knives have a steel blade which is sharpened to a knife edge, but only on one side of the blade - the other side of the blade is kept straight so as to follow a ruler or straight-edge. The purpose of the knife edge is to sever fibres as the marking knife is drawn over them. This produces a very accurate line which aids in making accurate cuts with the saw or chisel. The blade is of tool steel with a hardwood or plastic handle.