Thread: T H Witherby Chisels

Pat, they look like my New Haven Edge Tool Co. socket chisels - New Haven is in Connecticut, I wonder if there is a connection, or just convergent evolution? NH chisels.jpg

It looks like they are the same or very similar high-chrome alloy to my N.Hs, which is hard but easy to sharpen, however it's a little brittle. I use mine as paring chisels only and they hold up well in that role, but they certainly don't like being bashed into ironbark! They are among my most prized possessions, and also what got me hooked on socket chisels, despite their little habit of occasionally parting company with the handle when least expected. A 1 1/2 inch, razor-sharp chisel blade heading edge-first for you foot is guaranteed to focus your attention! But someone gave me a useful tip, spray the handle stub with hair-spray and that seems to work very well, it holds the blade on but if you do need to remove the handle it is still easy enough to tap off.

The N.Hs are an absolute delight to use, the long sockets are offset so the bottom of the socket is nearly co-planar with the blade (see pic), allowing the full blade to be slid over a flat surface up to the handle. Are yours like that?

Cheers,
Ian

Pat

Nice chisels. I am anticipating that new handles are not an issue for you at all. So I am looking forward to what you come up with.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Pat

I present another addiction . . . TH Witherby/Witherby chisels. Made in Winsted Conneticuit.Witherby chisels.jpg

Generally regarded by many US users as the prince of chisels, along with James Swann and others.
You won't go wrong with those
Tom

Hello Ian, Paul and Tom.
Ian, I'll take some side profile pics when the rain eases. From looking at a 1918 Catalogue, I think the 2 smaller ones are Witherby Socket Firmer Cabinet Chisels, at 4 1/2 " lenght, Bevel Edge, No 195, the 4 larger may be No 75 Witherby Socket Firmer, with Bevel Edge at 6 1/2"
Paul, if I can find the stick of Rock Maple and it's enough for at least 4, I'll use that. Other candidates are Figured Maple, I think it's thick enough or BH Sassafrass or Spotty or Northern Silky Oak. I have an old "hard" leather belt to donate the leather washers.
Tom, the two smaller ones, I take to the wood club to use, it's easier to have sharp tools if I take them. They are sometime the subject of "disappearing acts" by a couple mates whom may covert them after being allowed to use them. The other 4 are new to me, I'll turn some handles as described above.

I'll double check the details tomorrow.

Well, I got a roundtoit today.
I dressed the 6 Witherby's in Rock Maple, with a Paring style handle, so I am not tempted to use percussive force . . .

I have plenty of other chisels to use with encouragers.

Dressed Witherby chisels..jpg

Yes I know some paring handles are long Tsuki-Nomi.jpg50mm slick 03.jpg, but I like the shorter handles, as I wrap my right hand around the end as the drive and use my left hand as a fulcrum to control direction.

If I don't like the handles, I'll turn others.

If anyone else doesn't like the handles, they can wait till they are prised from my cold dead claws and suit themselves.

Originally Posted by Pat

....... they can wait till they are prised from my cold dead claws and suit themselves.

That's how I feel about my New Havens. Hhey may not be able to prise them out of my hands even then, so they could become 21st century grave goods.

No, that would be a waste, I'm sure someone else can love them just as much, so I will try & remember to let them go at the last minute......


Cheers,

Those are great Pat.
I am sure that they will serve nicely.
Is that long slick a Shapleigh - Diamond Edge? Or another Witherby (Winstead Edge)?
Looks a beast
Tom

Hello Ian, yep, these are keepers.

Tom, the 2" version is a no75 Bevel edge mirror finish.

No 75.jpg

I do have a 3 1/2" slick in the mail atm.

Witherby Slick Catalogue.jpg

Ummm, the slick is huge!
Witherby Slick.jpg

It makes the 2" chisel, small!

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

Is that long slick a Shapleigh - Diamond Edge?
Tom

Hello Tom, it's a 2" Shapeleigh - Diamond Edge.
50mm slick 06.jpg

Originally Posted by Pat

Hello Tom, it's a 2" Shapeleigh - Diamond Edge.
50mm slick 06.jpg

Thanks Pat - I thought that the branding looked familiar.
I have a Greenlee slick that I used a lot with post and rail, but it gets very little attention these days.
Tom

Size comparison time, Shapeleigh 2" slick to the T H Witherby 3 1/2" slick
900mm rule for scale.

Slicks.jpg

When attacked by a lion in your workshop:
1. Seize 3 1/2" slick...
2. Dispatch lion either with sharp thrust to thorax or whacking on noggin...
3. carefully clean any resulting blood off slick to prevent rusting......

That slick is certainly a serious bit of kit, Pat me lad!