Pretty cool video! Thanks!
I guess it would be possible to bore out holes for wooden nails using a knife... is that meant to be the idea? or is it more like tenon joints? Perhaps an expert on Finnish/Scandinavian woodworking could clarify. Or one of the developers.
Knife cut holes tend to be very sloped as most knives go from a sharp point to whatever width. Actually making a drill or auger takes about a simliar amount of metal but rather than putting a knife handle on it you extend it as a wood rod farther back. Then this rod you connect to a cross bar to generate the turning force.
Found out about that research the BAC items for Medieval Drill and Auger.
From the BAC discussion with weblinks:
////////////////////
// Auger
//
// Used to pre-drill holes before using nails
// or wooden pegs. Expected only for large construction
// or joining thick pieces like in boat building
//
// Differs from drill in that the auger makes finger or thumb
// diameter holes such as for structural wooden pegs
//
// A carving axe or knife would would do in for most boards
// if you can access both sides. If the board is already in
// place you might use an auger to drill from the open side
// all the way across and then into the other wood.
// Presented as one recipe
//
// Weblinks:
//
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_hCWus3eoA//
.Crossbar Auger. "Sesta" [effort: 3] [phys:arms,hands] *CARPENTRY* /6h/
{*billet} (2) [ground] [remove] '+for rod length'
{*steel billet} (1) [ground] [remove] '+cutting end'
{*billet} (1) [ground] [remove] '+for reinforcement band'
{*forge*} [noquality] 'Forge or furnace'
{Charcoal} (
[remove] [noquality] [ground]
{Bellows} [ground]
{*anvil*} [ground] 'Anvil nearby'
{*hammer} 'Hammer'
{Staff} (1) [remove] [noquality] '+shaft, crossbar and swivel head'
{Axe} <Carving axe> '+cut staff, shape wood'
{Knife} <Draw knife> '+for fine shaping'
{Whetstone} [noquality] '+for final sharpening'
[WEIGHT:6]
[PRICE: 80]
[TYPE:tool]
[TILEGFX:bc-dipnet]
//Price is mostly for the iron
//////////////////////
// Medieval Bow drill
//
// For making tiny holes in hard or thick objects.
// Example holes in steel plates to make lamellar
// or pilot holes for nails in thick objects.
//
// Differs from auger in that this drill makes tiny holes
//
// Possible addition for a pump cord drill
// it would use 1 iron billet for rod and 1 steel billet cutter
// also use a {*cord} and {Staff} mabye {Block}
// Makes thin holes like pre-drills for long iron nails
// possible use in clinkered punt
//
// Weblink
//
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCsC6q8l3_0//
// Note: the name Medieval Drill is used so that it doesn't
// get picked up in *bow *cord or other recipes
.Medieval drill. "Sesta" [effort: 3] [phys:arms,hands] *CARPENTRY* /4h/
{Wooden stake} (1) '+for central shaft'
{Block of wood} (1) '+for flywheel'
{*iron billet} [remove] [ground] '+for drill shaft'
{*steel billet} [remove] [ground] '+for drill cutting head'
{*cord} [remove] '+for the twisting string'
{Branch} {1} [noquality] '+for bow holding string'
{*forge*} [noquality] 'Forge or furnace'
{Charcoal} (4) [remove] [noquality] [ground]
{Bellows} [ground]
{*anvil*} [ground] 'Anvil nearby'
{*hammer} 'Hammer'
{Axe} <Carving axe> '+cut staff, shape wood'
{Knife} <Small knife> '+for fine shaping'
{Whetstone} [noquality] '+for final sharpening'
[WEIGHT:4]
[PRICE: 60]
[PRICE: 50]
[TILEGFX:bc-dipnet]
[TYPE:tool]
//Price is mostly for the iron