Old Chisel

[Owen Hinsman]

So I found this old gouge/chisel in my box of goodies, and began my research. But all the info I could find was from November 2007, and a timeframe of 1822 - 1965. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here’s the website I found the info: http://swingleydev.com/ot/get/174006/thread/

[bigfootnampa]

The fact that it says cast steel would seem to make it pretty old.  Others here will know more on that topic.  I can speak to the shape.  It appears to be a roughing gouge for wood turning.  While there’s a chance that it could be useful for timber framing or bowl carving... I’d bet on it being intended as a turning tool.  Similar ones are being made today... but they don’t use cast steel anymore.

[HojPoj]

I've got one that looks similar in construction,  but roughly 2 inch wide flat profile.   Been meaning to ask about it here as well.

[Owen Hinsman]

Thanks for the help! I was guessing that from the tar adhesive on the tang and the cast steel label it was from the late 1800s.

[ThomasPowers]

I searched on William Ash Tools and had several profitable hits; You have already seen this one

"As far as I've been able to establish, the working dates for William Ash & Co. were from about 1822 to about 1845, on Norfolk Lane. And, that may be the most likely time frame for your gouge. But, that is not the entire story. The "WM. ASH & Co." mark continued to be used for quite some time after these dates. We know, for certain, that it was one of the marks used by BURYS & Co., 1863 to 1965, Regent Works, Penistone Road."

I will add that "cast steel" was a term mainly used in the 19th century and Sheffield didn't teem much of it past the 1920's  (Huntsman started making cast steel in the late 1700's)           Does NOT look like a turning gouge to me.

Next one arrow and cross and B  Butcher:  for another example see 

www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/blog/869/title/Chisel+Detective

[HojPoj]

Thanks ThomasPowers, that was an interesting read!

[bigfootnampa]

Thomas;  Look up 2” roughing gouge on google.  You’ll see near duplicates of that tool.  I don’t turn anymore but I used to own a couple almost exactly like it.  They are very useful for turning square to round or rough smoothing log or branch stock.  

[ThomasPowers]

Got my Delta Rockwell late around 1982, nowadays I mainly turn stone on it ---making spindle whorls for my wife.  All my roughing gouges had larger tangs.

[NelsonR]

I'd have to agree with Thomas, that tang looks too small for turning gouge, if I had to put my money on anything, I'd say it's just a hand straight gouge.

[Owen Hinsman]

I looked into it some more and it appears that the little cone around the tang is part of the piece, and covered in some sort of tacky, black material.

[pnut]

It's just a guess but I'd say it's for ship/boat building.