Monday, February 10, 2014
Old chisel
This chisel, found during a visit to a flea market, captured my attention by the handle shape and a short 
blade.I thought it was a "butt chisel", particularly suitable for cut hinge mortices, as well as for job in restricted spaces or when more control is required, since the handle sits perfectly in the palm of the hand. I saw that, however, usually, these chisels have sides chamfered (bevelled edges) not square as in this case. 
The chisel is long ca. 15 cm, the blade is 25mm wide. This was probably a firmer chisel ,adapted for this purpose, a hypothesis also sustained by brand position that would be less close to the edge in the case of an original butt chisel. However, given also good quality blade, marked "Kirschenwerk" (Two Cherries), I decided to try a restore for reuse it after years of dust and rust. I first separate the blade from the handle. The old ferrule was clearly ruined and I took the opportunity to change it with a brass new one. The source was a hydraulic brass pipe from which I cut a piece of appropriate measures. I gave support to the ferrule inserting a wooden rod into the handle. It also serves to redo the hole for the pyramidal tang. I drilled it using decreasing diameter drill bit.
The bit diameters must be between the minimum and maximum diagonal found in the tang section. Between the blade and the ferrule I put a hydraulic seal that will serve to absorb the shots of a mallet.The blade is hardly pitted, fortunately, mainly on the bevel side, while the back appeared to be in good conditions, so that the flattening was quick and easy. After a over night vinegar bath, a 25° bevel °has been regrinded. To maintain a vintage look I gave a coat of "antique walnut " varnish and finished with two coats of wax.
The result satisfied me, and certainly this chisel will still have something to add to its long history. 
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