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Chisels

Note: For carving tools, the numbering system used here is based on the "London Pattern" system laid out by the English carving tool makers in the 19th Century and still the generally accepted standard in the English speaking world for classifying carving chisels.

Click here to see the London Pattern numbering system.

Explanation of Our Condition Grading System

Frequently Asked Vintage Tool Questions



R. Lee

CH24079 R. Lee A 9/16" gouge that has been swept, presumably after it was made. The handle looks old but it is not all the way up to the bolster, so it is probably replaced. R. Lee is a scarce 18th Century English maker. G+ $35




C. E. Jennings C. E. Jennings

CH240610 C. E. Jennings An original matched set of 6 Jennings beveled socket chisels in their original roll. What really makes these special is that they are the shorter cabinetmaker's style rather than the longer carpenter's chisels that one normally finds in American socket chisels. The handles seem to be rosewood on the 4 smaller sizes and hickory on the two largers ones. The hickory handles show more wear, but the rosewood handles on the 3/4" and the 1" have splits at the head from being struck with a hammer. The sizes are 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", & 1 1/2". This would not be an easy set to replace. G++ $299


Wm. Greaves, Sheaf Works Wm. Greaves, Sheaf Works

CH240617 Wm. Greaves, Sheaf Works A set of 3 cabinetmaker's paring chisels in 5/16", 7/16", & 1/2". The two smaller ones are clearly matching, with wonderful applewood handles with the same owner's mark. The 1/2" chisel has somewhat different applewood handle and no owner's mark. The 7/16" chisels has quite a few unsightly dings in the handle where an idiot was using it inappropriately. All three are great chisels that were clearly handled in the US in the 19th Century. Chisels were generally imported without handles because of the lower import duties on unhandled chisels. A great working set for dovetailing. G++ $109


W. Butcher W. Butcher

CH24052 W. Butcher A scarce 1 1/2" cranked neck paring chisel. It has a nicely turned handle that was probably turned by the pattern maker who owned it. The hanlde was stained and you can see the wear to the stain now from use. It measures 14" overall. One of the facets of the bolster is missing. This doesn't hurt anything functionally. G+ $79



John Caspar Halbach John Caspar Halbach John Caspar Halbach

CH230815 John Caspar Halbach This chisel is a bit of an mystery to me. It is a heavy carpenter's firming chisel and it appears to be quite early, with a flaired blade. I did some research online and I think that the maker is actually John and his sone Caspar Halbach. The EAIA Directory of American makers lists an edge tool maker of Halbach and Sons with no information. My speculation is that this is the same maker before the second son joined the business. If anyone knows more I would love hear it. The tool has a dark but pleasant patina. The handle has what looks like the orginal hoop, but has lost much of its length. Thankfully, it is still there and the socket hasn't been abused. The previous owner felt that it was an early Pennsylvania piece, but other than the Germanic name, I don't know upon what basis he drew this conclusion. A rare survivor. G+ $89


J. B. Addis & Sons, Sheffield, Eng. J. B. Addis & Sons, Sheffield, Eng.

CH23072 J. B. Addis & Sons, Sheffield, Eng. A long beveled paring chisel, 1/4" wide and 12 3/8" overall. This is the only beveled paring chisel by Addis that I have ever seen. The quality of the grinding is superb. It is super thin and delicate. The handle is an old Buck Brothers applewood handle. I think that this handle was installed when the chisel was new. English chisels were often imported unhandled for tarrif reasons. Nice untouched condition and quite sharp. G++ $89


Beatty Beatty Beatty Beatty

CH22119 Beatty A nice 3" slick that measures 24 1/4" overall. The end of the handle looks like it was replaced, but the patina matches and it was probably done back in the day. A screw was also added to the socket so that the blade won't fall off and removed a toe. This has happened more often than you might imagine! The blade has a medium patina. A nice example for a collector or a user. G+ $195



H&D H&D

CH211228 H&D An original set of 7 D-boring tools by Holtzapfel & Deyerlein. The sizes are 3/16", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", 7/16", 15/32", & 1/2", Only 3 of the 7 have the sizes marked on them. Only one has a handle. There is a hole drilled in the handle, but I have seen this before and I think that it has a particular purpose in the use of these tools. They are of course more than 200 years old. G++ $179



Holtapffel & Deyerlien Holtapffel & Deyerlien Holtapffel & Deyerlien Holtapffel & Deyerlien Holtapffel & Deyerlien Holtapffel & Deyerlien

CH200227 Holtapffel & Deyerlien This is an H&D triptych of ornamental turning tools. It is the only known example made from what I believe is satinwood. They are normally mahogany. The tool handles are also atypical. They are not rosewood or African blackwood, which is standard. I am not sure what wood they are. It might be Purple Heart, but I am really not an expert on exotic woods. Hopefulle the chose up picture will be enough for an expert out there to confirm the wood for us. There are slots for 75 tools. Of these, 54 are occupied. I believe 52 of the tools in this triptych to be original to it. There are two that have handles that, while labeled correctly as "Drills", don't match the others. Each slot is labeled by function, and each tool is labeled on the handle. The tools are marked H&D. It is very unouched, with one old expception. The lock has been replaced, and however did it, filled the gap around the lock with wood filler, and then rubbed the wood filler into the joint beween the side and the front. The photo shows this clearly. No big deal. There are also to losses. The outsided is banded with ebony stringing. Some of that is missing. It never bothered me enough to fix it, but you can see from the photo what would be require. It is not difficult. The two front doors are sealed by a small astragal molding. The lowere part of that is missing. I have had this triptych for years. Before that it was with the same owner for most of the 20th Century. Because of the special order woods, and the untouched condition, I have always thought that it was the one to own. Fine- $2495


Unusual Chisel

CH240718 Unusual Chisel This is a 7/16" paring chisel that was made from flat tool steel stock. It is marked, "Tool Steel, Ground & Hardened" This was clearly commercially made as a low cost chisel, but I haven't seen it before. The edge has been modified and needs to be reground. Free to the first person who orders it and spends at least $100 on old tools. G+ $0



Riverside Tool Co. New York Riverside Tool Co. New York Riverside Tool Co. New York

CH21104 Riverside Tool Co. New York This is an original box of socket firming chisels, with two chisels left in the box. The box once held a set of 6 chisels, but now it contains only the 1/4" and the 5/8". Both of the chisels look nearly unused. One of the handles still has the original Riverside paper label on it. I have never seen that before. The label is about 95% intact. The end label on the box is also in nice condition and very attractive. These chisels are probably from about 1900 and are really a great find in this condition. Fine $119






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