Thread: Ward Gouge Question.

There is a history of Ward and Payne here: Trowel and Masonry Tool Collector Resource : History of Ward & Payne, Ltd.
Payne was related by marriage to the Wards and joined the company in the 1840s but died shortly after and full ownership went back to the Ward family.
The handle is likely beech or ash.
Things are worth what someone wants to pay. I'd value the gouge around $5. They are quite common in Australia as Ward and Payne dominated the sheep shear market here.
You can find them for more on eBay but they will most likely still be for sale in a years time.

Thanks Hiroller.......I had already found that link...but thought there may have been a bit more in-depth info like a time line of handle styles and stamps etc.. I have never come across a chisel handle in this form before, but as a relatively newbie that would not be unusual. I did read somewhere that having Cast Steel on it dated it pre World War 1.
I don't think the handle is Beech, however I am unfamiliar with Ash Handles. The only reason I was thinking Hornbeam was that I saw a chisel online that was supposed to have a Hornbeam Handle and it had a very similar grain structure. It seems a very light(Weight) timber compared with other chisel handles I have come across.

Things are worth what someone wants to pay. I'd value the gouge around $5

I knew I wasn't going to retire on this bad boy .... Just like to have a bit of an idea what my tools are worth ......

I recently inherited a heap of both chisels and gouges very similar to yours. In my research I discovered as you that many are pre WW1. As for the handles, no idea.
The steel, I have only sharpened the chisels as have no means to sharpen the gouges but they take a nice edge and are very easy to sharpen. IMG_0535.JPG

Thanks Shane...... Yes I am surprised that such a common brand has had no one do some work on timelines history etc. The knowledge must be out there...I guess often those with the knowledge often don't have the skills or will to document it.

The handle is definitely ash.
As a user, it's something I wouldn't buy. As the rust was more then just surface there is some residue pitting. As you sharpen, you broach these pits and they give you a little knick on the cutting edge, which gives you white trails and scratches in the carved surface. You can see the thing I'm talking about by the 3/4 inch mark on your ruler in the fourth photo.
Sorry to be blunt, but I don't think it's valuable to a collector either. Just not one of the brands or styles that raise much interest.

Cheers
Arron

Thanks Aaron..... Blunt is fine......That way there is no confusion.....

My guess on the handle is that it's a replacement by owner. You will see that most gouges designed to be struck have a ferrule at each end - stop them splitting. It's a workhorse tool so definitely intended to be struck with mallet.

Also, the handle style is appealing, but doesn't suit the style of the blade or it's intended usage.

I have never seen a handle like this one before so you may be right in saying it is a user addition, although I am thinking not a recent one. The whole chisel is light and was thinking it may have been a well worn Pattern makers version that wasn't meant to be struck but just used to pare the wood.