Toki kauagati

Toki kauagati. Clam shell adze. Adzes are used for carving wood into many useful objects, including vaka (canoes), construction of fale (houses), and for smaller domestic objects. This toki is worked from kauagati (tridacna shell). In the atolls of Tokelau where sourcing volcanic stone is not possible, toki made from kauagati, or giant clam shells, are the favoured option. Off-white in colour, the toki kauagati is wider towards its mid-section and narrows towards the butt end. It is bent and uneven in profile due to the natural grooves of the shell. The cutting edge is sharp with a slightly raised bevel. The outward facing surface of the toki kauagati is wavy with raised surface texture, while its underside is smooth and matte.