of the workman. A well-skilled workman can shear a glass entirely
round the bowl in one operation. In Bohemia and Germany, generally,
the workmen are said not to be sufficiently skilful to use the shears;
but the edges of bowls are blown in the rough, and cut smooth by
the glass-cutter when cold, which leaves a flat and unsightly finish,
far inferior to the round, smoothed edge of fire-polish after shearing.
The
battledore,
D,
is another simple tool that needs no explanation. These, with the
compasses and the measure-stick, are the chief tools, except the pontil
and blowing-iron, which are very simple instruments; the latter is a
hollow tube, (about four feet long,) lessened at the mouth and enlarged at
the end, for gathering the metal.
The ponty, or pontil, is a solid rod, used to support the Glass while
working, when the blowing-iron is no longer needed. The sizes of
both these rods are heavier and lighter, according to the nature of
the work.