Recently, I acquired a large group of carving chisels. Most are “S.J. Addis” while some are Buck Bros, W. Butcher and others. I believe they date from the late 19th century. Handles are made from rosewood, maple?, ash? and a couple are ebony. My question is about the origin of handles. There are quite a few different handle designs and some chisels from different makers have the same handle (design and material).
Were handles supplied by the maker in a variety of materials and designs or did the craftsman make his own?
Replies
Manufacturers made tools with a number of different handle styles denoting quality in some cases, and also to accommodate differing preferences. (They weren't crazy to reduce the number of SKU's) (Some users also made their own handles, but probably not so likely with carving tools since handles aren't often in need of replacement.)
shop,
Not having been there myself ;-), I can't say with certainty, but I believe many chisels from that period were sold unhandled. No doubt they could be had either way. Sets, especially those made up for "the carriage trade" likely would have been handled, and with exotics like boxwood, rosewood or ebony. You see this with other tools, like the brass bound or stuffed braces.
I have about 30 carving tools from 19th century, Addis, Butcher, Cam, et al. While a few of them are handled similarly, I believe it is because they came from the same owner. Like yours, my chisels are handled in a variety of materials, and have different shapes. Some are well enough made to have been factory supplied, others are obviously shop made. (It's easier to pick out the one you are looking for when they are scattered on the bench, if the handles aren't all the same.)
Back in the 70's a friend of mine ordered a set of German carving tools from Frank Mittermeier in NY; they came unhandled. Many of the new chisels I've bought, I've rehandled, or modified the handles, to suit my personal preference. I expect the same occurred in the past, as each carver would have his own idea about what made a comfortable handle.
Regards,
Ray Pine
These are all tanged with brass ferrules. The rosewood handles are so similar as to be the same and the ferrules appear to be the same. If they are owner made, I sure wish I had that ability. Since there are about 15 with no handle, maybe it is time I gave it a try.
shop,
Go for it, big boy. Good source for cheap ferrules is a place that sells/repairs hydraulic fittings. Hose ferrules come in several diameters/lengths, with a nice turned over end. Bags of 100 if you want that many. Thin guage, though.
Regards,
Ray
Good idea. Beats the brass tube that I was going to use. Thanks.
Take the step and turn your own handles, Just about all of my lathe and bench chisles have been rehafted by myself. I really like longer lathe handles, long enough to rest on my side or hip. I use schedule 20 or 40 brass pipe for the ferrelsWork Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Hi Shopteacher,
In front of me I have a copy of R. A. Salaman's Dictionary of Woodworking Tools. On page 132 (for you reference checkers) under "Chisel" there is a reprint from the Ward & Payne, Sheffield catalog of 1911 showing the various types of handles for their chisels. It shows a dozen different patterns for tanged chisels, and three for socket chisels as well as handles for turning, firmer and pig sticker chisels.
I believe bench chisels of the day (for this company at least) could be ordered with any appropriate handle or were available unhandled so you could make your own.
David C.
Why didn't I look in that book! Evidently Ward and Payne had a connection to Addis, maybe a "corporate take-over" of sorts. Some of these handles are so similar that they look mass produced (all are tanged - not socket chisels). Is it possible that chisel makers sub-contracted the handle making to manufacturers that made handles for a variety of others?
I do not know about carving chisels, but a couple of days ago I supplied the following picures of the variety of handles available for Witherby chisels These are but a few of the many they made).
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I imagine that handles were installed on most new chisels, but that it was possible to buy them without as well. Clearly replacement handles were available from manufacturers and some preferred to still make their own.
Regards from Perth
Derek
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