Thread: Is this a EA Berg chisel or not?

I don't think so, WF.

Eskilstuna was like Sheffield. It comprised a number of manufacturers, many very similar, and most (if not all) turned out superior blades.

This chisel has the look of a Berg, even down to the ferrule, but the name appears to reflect the district, rather than the AE Berg company.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Wilco Flier,
I'm certain I don't know as much as Derek, but my Bergs have a Ferrule on the Top of the Handle, plus the Decal. That Handle is not a Berg Handle IMO, & they are distinctly marked, E.A.Berg.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Wilco Flier,
I'm certain I don't know as much as Derek, but my Bergs have a Ferrule on the Top of the Handle, plus the Decal. That Handle is not a Berg Handle IMO, & they are distinctly marked, E.A.Berg.

Actually, the handle is a classic Berg-style one. The end has been damaged, which is why it does not have the end ring, but you can just make out Birch root, a wood that Berg used in their earlier days, plus the profile at the front is typical of Berg.

Sorry Issatree

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Actually, the handle is a classic Berg-style one. The end has been damaged, which is why it does not have the end ring, but you can just make out Birch root, a wood that Berg used in their earlier days, plus the profile at the front is typical of Berg.

Sorry Issatree

Regards from Perth

Derek

It stil has the end ring, its a brass one, and therefore difficult to see in the picture.

Originally Posted by Wilco Flier

I think this is the correct translation: B&O. ubergsi. AB , but I'm not sure.

The blade is stamped as follows:
B&O. ubergsi. AB
Eskilstuna
Sweden

Does anyone recognise this chisel? Or can anybody tell me more about him?

Hi WF

It's not a berg, although it looks very similar, but one of the many other companies in the Eskilstuna area. The correct name is B&O Libergs F.A.B.
I have a few items of the maker myself, and did some research a while ago. Can't remember where, so this is just from my memory.
The company was founded by the two brothers Bernd and Oscar Liberg in 1862 in the small town of Rosenfors as B&O Liberg. The name was changed in 1868 to B&O Libergs F.A.B. They produced all sorts of things made of steel and iron, but was eventually bought by Jernbolaget in 1938.
As for the quality, I haven't worked with any of mine yet, but what I have read is that people back in the days used to argue which brand was better - Berg or Liberg. And just like today it's impossible agree on such a thing. Most people tend to like their own brand better.
Either way it's a good chisel. I think the difference between Berg and other swedish companies is that Berg took their reputation worldwide and they didn't.

And btw. their logo is a rose, as in Rosenfors.

Hi Thomas,

Thank you very much for your interesting comment! I find it always interesting to identify the history behind a tool. Thanks again!

As Thomas has already said, steel from Eskilstuna is highly regarded across the board. One of the interesting things to see is how popular E A Berg products have become, while at the same time other Eskilstuna items are overlooked - particularly on ebay and other auction sites. Even vendors at Sunday markets have heard of Berg and price accordingly, but Jernbolaget, Kronan and even Swedish Toledo are sold at knock down prices.
As for the handles, there must have been a convention on handle design, as these all have a similar shape.
Virtually any Swedish chisel is worth keeping.
You have been lucky.
Cheers
SG

I bought my black plastic handled bevel edge Toledos either fom Nock and Kirbys in Parramatta in the late 60's or from the hardware shop in East Row in Civic (Canberra) in the mid 70's

I have lots of other chisels now but they are still the ones I use for most general work

They take an edge quickly - and hold it for a reasonable time and they can be quickly honed

I measured them and so far I seemed to have used about 17 mil of the half inch and less of the other 3

Until I got some second hand firmers and pigstickers these got belted for every job but always with a mallet or even lump of 3x2

They look a bit grotty but they have stood up to everything I've thrown at them and look as if they have another 40 or 50 years in them at least

Neil