OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Stopped by an antique store on my way from the job back to the office today. Found an interesting looking socket chisel for next to nothing. It's about 1.75 in wide and a very nice weight to it. Unfortunately I don't know a thing about this chisel except that its actually cast. You read that right a solid cast chisel. Pits and dimples throughout. I don't see any signs of a makers mark but based on the casting I imagine it's at least turn of the century or older. Just wanted to hear some thoughts on it from pros such as yourselves. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 What do you want to know? Looks more like a framing tool. How many big projects do you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 I am asking mostly to find out if it still useful if a proper sharpening and honing were given to it along with a handle. Or is it better kept as a nice conversation piece to have around? Does anyone happen to have a similar piece in their collection? Given that I live in one of oldest states in the country who knows what this was actually used for. I just would like to know more of the possible history of the piece. Also what do you mean by big projects? Furniture? Remodeling? Etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BonPacific Posted March 7, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 *Shrug* I'm sure you could clean it up, sharpen it, and get to a usable state. Why do you want to do this? Do you have use for a (guessing) 2" chisel? You'd have to clean up and reshape the tang, as it looks like it's been used since the handle came off (note the mushrooming). This is definitely a tanged, rather than a socket, chisel. I think what @C Shaffer is referring to is the size of this chisel. You'll almost never use something this large on furniture, it's designed more for timber-framing or similar large-joinery. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 The back, at least, would have to be ground to completely remove all the pitting before it would be usable. That may remove a substantial amount of thickness. My feeling is that it is good for decorative use, not practical. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Thanks for the clarification @BonPacific. I think you and the Doc are right. Too much work for too little reward, even though I might have a use for a 2 in chisel eventually. Guess it will go on the shelf with my Defiant block plane and old Stanley Handyman No. 5 (bought with Green Stamps). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 7, 2017 Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Sorry, but that chisel has a tang, not a socket. It was probably made by a local blacksmith out of some low carbon steel with not much more carbon in it than wrought iron. Most likely, it was something that could be heat treated so that it could probably take a really sharp edge, before it suffered all the pitting, but that edge wouldn't have lasted very long. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Thanks for the clarification on the tang Mr King. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Wilkins Posted March 8, 2017 Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 Looks like someone used the tang to strike on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted March 8, 2017 Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 3 hours ago, OldSouthWoodCraft said: Thanks for the clarification @BonPacific. I think you and the Doc are right. Too much work for too little reward, even though I might have a use for a 2 in chisel eventually. Guess it will go on the shelf with my Defiant block plane and old Stanley Handyman No. 5 (bought with Green Stamps). Green Stamps? Finally someone as old as me! I agree, put that sucker on display as a conversation piece. Kinda cool! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 8, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 Green Stamps? Finally someone as old as me! I agree, put that sucker on display as a conversation piece. Kinda cool! Sorry to disappoint you Cooper, alas I'm just shy of 30 yo. My grandmother bought that when her and my grandfather got married to help build their home. She recently gave it to me for Christmas and told me the story of it. I will forever cherish it. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSouthWoodCraft Posted March 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 The back, at least, would have to be ground to completely remove all the pitting before it would be usable. That may remove a substantial amount of thickness. My feeling is that it is good for decorative use, not practical. Turns out I didn't have to do too much material removal from the front or back to put an edge on it. I doubt it will hold the edge for any length of time but it looks pretty good for a 20 min sharpening and reshaping session. Now to make room for it on the shelf. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 8, 2017 Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 You might be surprised . All that pitting could just be from the rust. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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