lathekin

plural lathekins

1. A tool used by glaziers making leaded windows and other stained glass items. It is a short piece of wood or plastic straight on one edge, with the other side indented or rounded. It is used for such purposes as applying metal to the edges of glass or cleaning excess cement.

   Excess putty can be removed by carefully scraping with the lathekin or by using a horse-shoe nail alongside the lead.

   1992, Interior Finishes for Your Home, J.B. Fairfax Press, page 19

   2 more examples

   The lathekin, the most ancient tool of the glazier, is simply a piece of hard wood-box, lance, or ebony-cut to the shape shown, for opening, pressing and regulating the leads.

   1902, Ernest Richard Suffling, A Treatise on the Art of Glass Painting: Prefaced with a Review of Ancient Glass, Scott, Greenwood and Company, page 126

   A lathekin is simply a piece of hard wood that is wedge-shaped and runs along the channel of the lead opening the leaf.

   1988, Matthew Lloyd, Janet Blackmore, Glass for a Beautiful Home, Merehurst Press, page 83