Surprise under the rust

**orraloon** · 16th November 2010, 09:44 AM

Hi there,
The old tool addiction continues. I went to see the gear in the back of my pushers car. I picked the 4 better looking chisels (trying to cut down here) then palmed him the dollars. Looking over the shoulder, nobody in the car park noticed a thing so with package tucked out of sight I faded into the background.
Anyhoo back in the shed as I rubbed off the furry rust on what I had taken to be a Berg 1'' I see Matheson Glasgow and the moon & star mark. I got her to working order in 15 mins.
The primary bevel was less than 25* so all it took was a quick rub on the back then a secondary bevel of 25* and it shaves. The handle is from a berg. I intend to give this one a bit more attention so if someone can help me out with a pic of a proper Matheson handle that would be great.
The rest of the bunch are 2 Titans in the middle. Some edjit has put a nasty back bevel on the short one so I will have to grind off about 10mm of steel to get that one working.
The 1 1/4" is Hale & Son Sheffield. Have not seen one before but reckon it should be reasnoably good.
A good result on the rust hunt makes for a lovely day.
Regards
John

**Scribbly Gum** · 16th November 2010, 10:34 AM

Hello John.
What a happy surprise.
I have a Mathieson in my chisel roll and I think it has its original handle. I'll check it out when I get home tonight and get some pix for you.
Mine has a beautiful delicacy to the side edges of the chisel - much finer than that found even on Bergs. It is a superb paring chisel.
It looks like yours is the same.
Cheers
SG

**Scribbly Gum** · 16th November 2010, 05:48 PM

Hokely Dokely, here we go.
Here are some pix of my one and only Mathieson paring chisel.
It is a bevelled edge 5/8 inch beauty, and is perfect for wider dovetails as well as standard paring duties, because of the thickness (ie fineness) of the blade and the very shallow angle of the bevelled sides.
The handle is original as far as I can tell.
Hope this helps.
SG

**orraloon** · 16th November 2010, 10:26 PM

Thanks for that SG. A fairly common handle pattern on a lot of british chisels. So obvious when it is pointed out. I will get looking for some likley wood and turn one up.
As you noted they are a fine bladed chisel and just call out to pare end grain. Would I be right in suspecting that the shallow primary bevel is intended.
Regards
John

**Scribbly Gum** · 17th November 2010, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by orraloon

Thanks for that SG. A fairly common handle pattern on a lot of british chisels. So obvious when it is pointed out. I will get looking for some likley wood and turn one up.
As you noted they are a fine bladed chisel and just call out to pare end grain. Would I be right in suspecting that the shallow primary bevel is intended.
Regards
John

This handle shape is a common one for good reason, it is extremely comfortable in the hand and while paring. Not sure who thought of it first but it has been widely used and copied on British chisels.
Yes a shallow bevel works well for paring.
Mathiesons seem to have consistently good quality in their steel. I have quite a few plane blades from Alex Mathieson as well as this chisel, and haven't come across a bad one.
Your chisel seems to be near full length - something rare for Mathiesons as well, because of their age.
Cheers
SG

**Clinton1** · 17th November 2010, 08:57 PM

You sound like a drug buyer in your first post.

I too know that illicit feeling of thrill. Damn it is good.

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