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The Taws (or Tawes)

   The term "tawes" (or taws) is most likely taken from the old Scots dialect word for "two." It was a punishment strap used to strike the hands of school children, usually made of any convenient scrap of strap leather and often toasted over a fire to make it more "wood-like."

     Our modern versions are intended more for striking butt and are crafted to be a bit more flexible than the originals. We make several models: from the more moderate version of the Rev. Cooper's (S037), which can be used on the hands as well, to the Large Scottish Taws (S035) which is more serious.