A machine made of metal? haven't seen one for years!
that's a grand old tool! I have checkering tools starting in late 40's vintage and on up to today. the 40's tools have rosewood handles and the current ones have some kind of bamboo I guess.
nice to see the good stuff still around.

the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~