Thread: Titan Wood Chisels

Doggie is our resident expert on Titan - I am sure he will be along soon to help you.

Titan was based in Hobart, Tasmania for a few decades around the middle of the 20th century. They are, probably without much argument, the definitive, Australian made, woodworking tool. The steel was and is regarded as having been of a very high quality. They are highly collectible and prized by many woodworkers who have spent time in Australia. They're not terribly rare in AU, but finding them in good condition is definitely a score. The ones you have, having the original labelling, are in pretty good shape. They're probably worth maybe $30 - $60 each if you found the right buyer, with the smaller one being more valuable, as the socket style handles are a bit less common.

The wider one you have is a "registered firmer chisel", and is probably the one that they sold the most of. You find those a lot in estate sales, antique stores, and just general, neglected piles of tools. They have a variety of handle shapes.

With all of that said, Chesand is right. Doggie is the Titan chisel aficionado. He literally wrote the book on it. He could probably date them to within a couple of years. Take whatever he says as Titan gospel.

You should hang onto those, especially if they were your dad's. I wouldn't do anything too drastic to them aside from flattening the backs and putting a razor edge on them. I also would not hit them with a mallet. They're too valuable as a nostalgia piece to be subjected to further chopping blows (my opinion of course).

Nice find. I hope you get some better, more specific info on them.

Cheers,
Luke

Dave,
Very nice examples of titans and in quite good condition. I am no expert but only chimed in to confirm they are very good chisels. I have a few in my mixed bag of chisels and like them a lot. Mine were very beat up when I got them and sadly I had to make handles for them but it's the steel that matters in a working chisel so still happy to have them.
Regards
John

Hi David
Nice find.
The plain edged chisel on the left is probably a "Titan Guaranteed" blade although in the photo I can only read TITAN. It could be a registered, heavy tang blade (101) as Luke has suggested although I think it is more likely a light tang plain edge firmer (131) given it has the Swedish pattern handle. A registered chisel has a registered handle (two ferrules with a leather washer), not a ferrule and hoop as in the pic. HOWEVER, ring in handles are a constant problem when identifying old chisels and the thickness of the blade will tell the story. This chisel (if a "TITAN GUARANTEED" 131) was made in Hobart between 1958 and 1963 and came in twelve sizes. If it is a 101 the same dates will apply The Decal on the handle tells us that the handle was made somewhere between 1955 and 1963 although the same period as the blade is more likely as it is in fairly decent nick. One has to remember handles wear out but blades are much ,more robust and often a blade will see many handles out. Titan sold handles separately for replacement.

The socket chisel on the right is a light socket bevelled edge firmer (236) also probably made between 1955 and 1963. There is no blade stamp evident on the front which would have a small TITAN inside an oval and dated the chisel between 1955 and 1958 so the back probably has "TITAN GUARANTEED" stamped on it in which case it was made once again between 1958 and 1963. There was ten in the set. Handle dates are the same as the 131 above only a lot rarer as socket handles are not actually attached to the blade and are prone to loss. The decal on both is the "Gold" decal (1955 to 1963) and was a transfer applied between the second and third coats of laquer so it was pretty durable.

Quality wise good. Blades were Commonwealth Steel (BHP) (K10) made special tool grade early on (to early Sixties) and imported Sheffield steel thereafter. Handles made from Myrtle Beech ex Tassie forests.

Hope this helps. In truth I had to look up my own book to answer this as I've been working on the new one and had forgotten a lot of Titan stuff. Or, is it age??
Regards
Doggie
Ex Titan God.

Hope this helps

Thanks for all the information gents, they will always be treasured as they belonged to Dad but knowing some of the history behind them makes them even more special. I will get the new finds back into working order and make sure they earn their keep. Hopefully pass them on to a family member that takes up woodworking
Cheers
Dave