New Member -- Never Carved

[foakes]

Just came across this forum as I was trying to find out more about carving.

I have been a woodworker all of my life -- but have never attempted carving with hand chisels.

I did some work for an elderly lady some years ago. Her husband had passed on 10 or so years previous to that. He was 80+ when he passed on. The short version of this story is that I acquired her husbands collection of chisels that he used all of his life. According to his hand-written description of the tools, they belonged to his grandfather. That might possibly make them 100+ years old?

There are names like C. O. Linder, England, Buck Brothers, J. B. Addis & Sons Sheffield, J. B. Addis Prise Medals, F. Cassell Gr. Rapids Mich, N.L.S. Co New London C, S. J. Addis London, D. Maiers CO., S. J. Addis Cast Steel -- 42 in total plus a few oddballs -- all seem to be razor sharp and put away in 3 wooden hand made boxes with individual compartments. These tools have been well cared for. I can probably post some pics if there was a way to do it easily on this forum. Maybe someone could walk me through this?

Just came across them the other day, and am wondering if I should use them, sell them, or just keep them? Any advice or ideas? I live in Central California.

It might be better to use newer tools -- or I might not have the talent for wood carving -- or maybe these would be good to use?

Appreciate any thoughts.

Best Regards to All & Thank You for this forum...

Sincerely, Fred

[Claude]

Welcome to the forum, Fred! From the names, those are likely to be great tools! I'd suggest trying some carving with them. As a wood worker, you might find some architectural carvings to be helpful. Fox Chapel Publishing, owner of this forum, has several books available Fox Chapel Publishing - Craft, Hobby, and Woodworking Books & Magazines!

Claude

[carvingbarn]

Hi Fred, Welcome to the forum. Like Claude I encourage you to give carving a try. It can be a great pass time, fun and satisfying.

[breezly]

Welcome to the forum

[FARMALL RON]

Welcome to the forum..............Ron

[Riverman]

Hi Fred, welcome to the group!
Bob

[riverwood-dan]

Welcome to the forum Fred,
I was a finishing carpenter for over thirty years but never got the chance or time to try my hand at carving. After I became disabled I decided it was a good time to give it a go. I had an old set of Freud carving chisels which I purchased new in 1980, after sitting in the box for 25 years I pulled them out, got the book Landscapes In Relief by Lora S Irish from the local library and proceded to carve the relief scene which she gives detailed how to instruction. After that first carving I was hooked, I don't carve as much as I'd like to but I made a New Years Resolution this year that I would carve a for at least one hour every day. I find this to be very therapeutic to body, mind and soul. I highly recommend you give it a try. Honestly I can't see why everyone doesn't carve, I just wish I had started carving 40 years ago. Dan

[idigjars]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Paul

[pallin]

There is something very satisfying about guiding a sharp carving tool thru a piece of wood. The fresh cut glows and the shavings smell wonderful. Eventually an object appears that was previously hidden and you have created a piece of art. Give it a try!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome to the forum, Fred!

Dave