In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla.
Beat in flour, baking soda*, and salt. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remainder refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoonful of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into 1 end for nail. Squeeze in center to create knuckle shape.
Place on greased baking sheets; bake in 325F oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale golden.
Let cool for 3 minutes. Then, remove from baking sheets and let cool on racks. Repeat with remaining dough.