Old chisels, hardening toasted ?

[Lasse Hilbrandt]

I picked up a few old E.A Berg chisels from a closed modelmakers workshop. I can see on the grinding marks that they are sharpened free hand on a grinding wheel. I saw the grinder in the shop and it had a small water resovoir next to it, so I think the workers tried to keep temperatures low when sharpening, but what are you guys experiense when you find old chisels or plane blades, are the hardening often toasted?

[Kees Heiden]

No they are rarely toasted. Just sharpen them and try how they hold up.

[Nicholas Lawrence]

Lasse, I have to say that on my list of unlooted treasure houses (from a woodworking point of view anyway), Denmark did not even make the list. It sounds like you are having some good luck over there.

Nick

[Lasse Hilbrandt]

Nick. You are welcome to come and jointer me in my rust hunts ;-)
The whole carpentry industry has mostly died here and there are more than a few closed workshops with full inventory around just waiting to be found. I have two colleagues who's grandfather were cabinet makers but died years ago. But their widows are not willing to sell out of emotional reasons which I fully understand. Im waiting with patience

[Jim Koepke]

I cannot recall any of the used blades of my handling having be ruined by heat. Most that have been ruined have obviously been ruined by moisture.

jtk