Wooden boats carry a charm and nostalgia that contemporary boats can't match. Wooden boats also require much more careful maintenance, particularly in spots where water might leak into the boat. Wood expands, contracts and warps over time, so even a properly sealed boat requires regular maintenance with a proprietary set of tools.
Raking irons are used to remove old caulk from a wooden boat. Wood ships are usually caulked with caulking cotton -- long strands of cotton with strong fibers -- that are sealed with compound. Raking irons simply peel the old caulk out of the seams of the boat. Slightly more expensive versions are available with two prongs, so that as you rake, you protect the wood from being cut by the toll. These are not necessary as long as you rake conscientiously. Any raking iron that fits the seams of your boat will suffice.
Caulking irons come in a variety of types. The dumb iron widens out the seams of the boat so that new cotton caulking can seal the seam. Crease irons fit the cotton into the seam and include nib and bent irons. Nibs are tiny crease irons, meant to widen or even very narrow seams. Bent irons are made to work along curves in the ship's hull. Finally, the hardening iron compacts the cotton caulking into the seam, so that the fit is as tight as possible before sealing it with a compound.
Caulking mallets may be used instead of hardening irons. Some shipwrights prefer to use a caulking mallet because the cotton caulking is pounded so compactly that taping and compounding becomes shorter work. Many people prefer the precision of a hardening iron, though. Caulking mallets require a careful swing because they may crack the ship's wood. Never use a metal mallet on a wood ship -- use specific caulking mallets.
Saws for wooden ships may sometimes resemble knives since they fold inward, but they often require two people to pull the blade along wood. Shop for saws made of light, flexible steel. Make sure the sawnuts that hold the blade in place in the tool are balanced. Avoid electric saws that could damage the ship. Traditional hand saws are a specific part of the toolmaking history of shipwrights. Complement the use of a saw with an adze for long, broad cuts. An adze looks a bit like an ax, but has a flatter slope to its blade. It is swung in long strokes and is an equally important part of the shipwright's toolbox. Don't try to replace it with an ax.
