Roll full of old tools...

[MichelleOH]

A friend of mine purchased a roll full of carving tools that he believes are over 100 years old given the history he knows of them.

I will put up pictures if anyone is interested (sometime this week). Each tool is badly rusted and some, probably all, in need of sharpening or reshaping due to chips. The only tools I can find with markings are Addis/London...and a quick glance showed maybe 8-10 of the brand.

He is looking for a ballpark value, given the cost to get them back to snuff. Where should I send him for an estimate?

[rickm]

there is a old tools archive you can google. the addis family was one of the more respected tool makers in england in the old sheffield style. it depends on how exactly they are marked as to if made by the father or the sons, and could go back to the early 1800's if thye are as abused as you say they may not be worth a lot but i would start with the archive ps i wouldnt try reworking them without a experts advice. the value could be completely ruined by a amatuer

[MichelleOH]

Thanks, Rick. I will check the archive! And, no....I wouldn't let anyone but a professional touch those tools if they were mine.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I would think Rick at Little Shavers could probably help.

Dave

[MichelleOH]

That's who I have in mind if the guy wants to get them cleaned up.

[mobjack68]

They are worth EXACTLY $12.95...Do you take paypal??? I will send my address in the next post, and don't worry, I will pay for the shipping!!!!!!!!

JUST KIDDING!!
BUT....... DO NOT TURN LOOSE OF OLD STEEL. I just missed some Addis chisels on ebay....knew my wife would scream if I pulled the trigger to be the high bid.
Your chisels can be rehabbed. Top of the chisels need to be polished (so they can be sharpened) bottoms/business end may need some smoothing to be able to sharpen. If you don't feel up to that?? As stated above, there are services available.
I would love to see pictures as long as you don't mind a little slobber...

[Robson Valley]

Old steel is fine. HOWEVER, if there's much rust, there might be a lot of rust-pitting. You can grind away from one pit to the next and never get a clean edge.
It's a dang shame, I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but if the rain has already fallen. . . . .

[BobBlaney]

Once the rust sets in, especially deep, I think the tool is beyond reapir. I had some plane irons in wooden planes I bought years ago. The irons were badly rusted and had pitted. I ground new edges but could not get beyond the pits. The irons would sharpen (sort of) but would not hold the edge, it was too soft and would dull right up.
I had to buy new irons for modern planes and retrofit them to the wood body. A real shame. I hope these chisels you have are not that bad.
A great find, use the services mentioned above to try and salvage.

[MichelleOH]

I will try to get some pictures up later today or tomorrow! As I was actually looking the roll last night I found some interesting markings...some that I can't read due to wear and/or rust. One name that came up 10 or 12 times was J. Klinowsky.

So far, I've found mostly Addis. Most are S.J. with one being J.B. I know I mentioned about 10 Addis, but after really looking, should be more like 20.

I do hope these tools can be salvaged...would be a shame if not.

[MichelleOH]

Also a handful of C. Maier tools.