Problem with gathering rates for apples?

[Vazalco]

I started a project of farming 200g of apples on 2324-3. It's now 2325-7 and the project is 90.5% done. I have a steel knife in my inventory. I am not wounded, hungry, or tired. By my reckoning, 14 turns will have passed by the time this project is through (I noticed a gain of around 7.25% per turn), indicating to me that the project gathering rate is not being properly adjusted for the knife's presence.

[Doug R.]

Are you awkward at it? The worst awkward will entirely cancel out the knife's effect.

Also, it's just a knife, right? Not a draw knife or another kind of knife?

[Vazalco]

Are you awkward at it? The worst awkward will entirely cancel out the knife's effect.

Also, it's just a knife, right? Not a draw knife or another kind of knife?

Yes, it is a "knife" made from steel and wood. I guess I was the worst awkward at it, which is why it took nearly two days even with the tool...