Thread: Show Off Your Chisels

Originally Posted by rsser

.......Any idea what else might suit?

Rsser,
Box is certainly nice stuff for chisel handles, if a bit bland.....
If you're hung-up on European timbers, try Apple wood. Turns superbly & makes excellent handles - just as good as Box in every respect. (I've seen on the news they're ripping fruit trees out in the irrigation areas - pity to see all that going to waste.) I've also found Privet quite good for handles that don't have to take really heavy impact - looks a bit like Box.

Nearer to home, there are lots of woods that can match Boxwod in many respects. Many of our Acacias make excellent handles, but not as easy to work as Box, I'll readily agree! Prettier, though.
Callistemon and Tea-tree also make good handles, & both turn & work easily(at least the species I've tried). Bush Cherry (Exocarpos) seems to be quite good - a lot like Box in its physical characteristics (except colour!), but not a commercial species.

I'm sure others can add lots more to the list.

Cheers,

Ern,

just out of Kiewa and Tangam.

Not too sure about Mt Beauty, as the snow wind is blowing in on us most days.

Can't have fires billowing in both the house and shed, so staying close to the kitchen at the moment.

Spent Monday biscuiting / glueing up some bench tops - when I learn to transfer the digital photos onto the computer, I'll send some pics.

Jefferson

I like these "show us your..." threads, and to bump this one back up, and get it back on topic, here are mine.

A poor collection thus far, but it will grow as I find more 'treasures'. The three on the left are Titans that I picked up at a market, rusty, grimy, and battered for about $12 each. I gave them a bit of a sand and a polish (not all of the pit marks will come out, even though the metal feels smooth now), and put some oil and wax on the handles (which are highlighted in the second photo - the labels are still in nice condition and say 'The Titan Nail and Wire Pty Ltd, Hobart, Australia'). Still need a sharpen which I'll get to when I get a bit more space in the workshop.

The next one is an 'Elmo' - no idea what it is or even where I got it! Then a japanese chisel without a brand. Nice chisel this one, but also needs a sharpen and a bit of a clean up. Then a plastic handled Stanley that I picked up new about 15 years ago, before I knew anything about tools (not that I know much now!). It takes an edge and doesn't do too bad a job, and it is at least clean and sharp. Then a Ward and Payne 7mm (bit bigger than 1/4 inch?) mortice chisel that takes a nice edge and does a fine job, and again is clean and sharp. Then a blue handled one (I think it is a cheap Marples) that again I have trouble remembering when I bought it - it does the job as well but could do with a lap and sharpen. Then a $2 church fair job that I can't find a name on - it is a 6mm bevel edge chisel that has a handle exactly like my FIL's Bergs, but I wouldn't claim that! It does however take a good edge and does a great job, and is clean and sharp. It was dirty, rusty, and had obviously been used for opening paint cans or something when I bought it.

I'd like to pick up some more old ones and do them up. I don't really care if I have matching sets or anything like that, I'd just like to get a few good old chisels and extend their working life somewhat. Garage sales are my friend....

Bob,
Your Titans look great.
Apart from owning some outstanding Australian made chisels, you have the honour of preserving a small part of Australia's tool history.
I have a couple of the black plastic handled Stanleys just like yours, which are my use while building chisels. They work well and take a beating.
The blue handled Marples range was considered to be of premium chisel quality when it was sold, and I don't know why this blue line of chisels by Marples doesn't command more at markets and on Ebay.
Your last chisel looks very much like a Berg - as you have pointed out. It may be another Swedish brand, but it certainly looks like it came out of Eskilstuna. If that is the case then it would be a fine chisel indeed.
Good luck with your Titan chisel hunting.
Regards
SG

my old chisel collection from top left to right marples ward woodcock misc(moseley,l&h sorby peugeot .german i think{werkzeugstahl} unknown blu handle unknown
second row right old japanese drop forged
bottom left to right TITAN EA BERG

I'm not sure that it is a good idea to restart this beast BUT ....
I have finished(?) my desired list of socket chisels from Lie Nielson and socket blades sourced from markets and re-fitted with Lie Nielson pattern handles
feels good ....
Fletty

Originally Posted by fletty

I'm not sure that it is a good idea to restart this beast BUT ....
I have finished(?) my desired list of socket chisels from Lie Nielson and socket blades sourced from markets and re-fitted with Lie Nielson pattern handles
feels good ....
Fletty

Very nice Fletty.
I like your skew chisels.
Did you grind them yourself?
A very attractive set.
Regards
SG

thanks Scribbly,
the skews were plain 1/2" blades ground 30deg left and right, at 25deg bevel on the white wheel bench grinder, dressed on a Tormek and honed on stones using a Veritas skew jig. very satisfying to do ... and great to use.
Fletty

saw this thread i had too i got the full set or robert sorby boxwood bevel chisels i love them. all are sharpend to a razor

Originally Posted by Bryan1982

saw this thread i had too i got the full set or robert sorby boxwood bevel chisels i love them. all are sharpend to a razor

Nothing looks nicer than those London pattern boxwood handles.
Beautiful set.
Thanks.
SG

look good and feel good they have been buffed so they dont cut into you while pearing.( they still need some work but the backs are flat ) they have had a lot of hours put into them but im happy with them now they are great to use

Wow, Just found this thread. Always jumping at the chance to show off some of the chisels I've collected in the last few years, hope to come across many more. The ones named "Papa" and "Dastro" are my Dad's chisels. There are fewer of them because he is smart enough to have spent the last 54 years that he has been a cabinetmaker using only what he needs. (And actually working, not collecting!) He has good tools that he uses and I admire him so much for that; He's a much more clever bloke than I'll ever be.... I have tools that I use, and many more that I can just sit there and play with. In fact, I think that my chisels and planes have become almost an obsession in my life. Every time I pick one up that I love, I get a strange rush that makes me feel better about myself, and the work that I'm spending my time on at that moment. I reckon it makes my work better. It might sound gay, but that's how I feel.

BTW I'm ashamed about my Titans.. I should have more but I only recently discovered they even existed.
Also Note my 2" Bevel edged socket Berg. I LOVE it. It's my favourite tool. I've ground it once, but before that, there is the factory grind. It was my Best mates grandads. It has only been struck twice from what I can see. I also got the 1 1/4" next to it and the nooitgedagts from him. He was a brilliant Cabinetmaker. Thanks Auleid.
And thanks for coming back to this thread, I know I shouldn't ave brought it back up, but I couldn't help it
Dane

And thanks for coming back to this thread, I know I shouldn't ave brought it back up, but I couldn't help it

I don't blame you. It is certainly a good thread, so here are some of my chisels.

The first picture is the closest i come to a "real set" with original handles and all. I don't collect sets as such, but one day i went through the pyle of bergs, and without knowing it, there it was. Besides my bergs i also have a number of other swedish brands, some english, a few german and a couple of french.

Attachment 102726Attachment 102725

OK, finally managed to collate and ID all of my late Father's chisels.

Many thanks to the "Darksiders" who helped me in my task.


As best I can figure, we have from right to


Bevels:
Berg x 2, Eskilstuna unknown, Witherby, Nooitgedagt x 3, Marples,
Box of 8 ESTEEL.

Firmers:
Charles Taylor, Titan Comsteel,Signal, FG Pearson Acute, Ward x 3.

These are my Dad's, his Dad's and his Father-in-law's toolboxes and must range in age from fairly modern, to 60+years old if not more. Some are rough and ready others look quite good for their age I reckon

I'm going to keep the boxed ESTEEL (not because I need them, but because they are so nice and shiney), but all the others will be for sale in the Marketplace soon.

Hope you enjoyed seeing some old darkside tool

Close-ups are available if you want to see more

rod - rank tool amatuer