Take for this a nice slip of cedar wood, or white pine, suppose we say 9 inches long and 1 inch wide, about the thickness of the wood in the cigar-boxes mentioned - in fact a slip taken from the lid of one will do for the purpose. Divide the length into three parts - one-third for the handle, two-thirds for the blade. Mark it off as shown in Fig. 76. Work down the blade to a sharp edge on both sides, also at the point, leaving the centre of the blade as thick as the handle. Now with stain produce a little pattern on both sides of the handle in the manner recommended. Allow it to dry, then varnish or polish it.

Fig. 76. - Paper-knife.