Restoring a 120 Year old Gouge

[Dan Kirkland]

Have a very interesting tool that I came into possession of via the wonder that is fleabay for a few bucks. It arrived in pretty good shape, was about as sharp as a spoon. Part II is coming later this week as soon as I can get the finish for the handle procured. The company Underhill that made it went out of business in the 1880s so even if this was made in the very last year of the companys existence it is still over 120 years old at least. I'm inclined to think it was used in ship building.

It is built in the same fashion as a framing slick with the socket angled upward from the cutting edge, so the replacement handle will be very similar to a framing slick handle, I don't know if it's historically accurate but sometimes you just have to make it work. The overall length of this monster is 13 5/8 and the handle that is came with was just WAY too short and spindly for my hands.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT5ArQLTQS8

Pretty interesting tool and I haven't seen many like it apart from a few here and there on the internet. The width of the cutting edge is 2" and the sweep is close to a Pfeil #6. Very cool indeed. Will put up part II as soon as it's completed.

[Jim Koepke]

That is an interesting gouge. I wonder if there is any relation to Roy Underhill.

The socket end looks like it may be hand forged.

jtk

[Mel Fulks]

Nice find. A lot of those have had the bevel side changed. Some show a big difference between the two sides in shape and surface finish and that helps determine original use.

[Dan Kirkland]

That is an interesting gouge. I wonder if there is any relation to Roy Underhill.

The socket end looks like it may be hand forged.

jtk

Entirely possible that Roy Underhill is related.

From looking at it up close I really think the entire thing was hand forged, and it was kept in very good condition, no evidence of anyone having taken a grinding wheel to the edge or any such thing

[george wilson]

Roy said he was related. He collects Underhill tools.

[Dave Anderson NH]

Lots of history here. There are at least 12 Underhills in MA and NH who made edge tools and they are all related to each other. The first forge was located on what is now NH Rte 121 near the border of Auburn NH before it burned to the ground. The foundation is still there in the woods. Auburn being for much of its history a part of Chester. They operated in various combinations of names from the late 1700s until they were absorbed by the Amoskeag Axe Company in 1879 and AAC was purchased by the American Axe and Tool Company of Nashua NH in 1890. The first of the clan was Josiah Underhill (1758-1822) of my town, Chester NH. The assorted names in no particular order are:

Underhill Edge Tool Co.
Underhill, Brown, and Leighton
Flagg Temple Underhill
George Washington Underhill & Co.
Hazen Underhill & Co.
Jay Temple Underhill
Jesse Johnson Underhill
Josiah Underhill
Rufus K. Underhill
Samuel Graham Underhill

All worked in various combinations with each other at different times. For more detailed information consult: Instruments of Change- New Hampshire Hand Tools and their makers 1800-1900 published by the NH Historical Society 1985

[Dan Kirkland]

Lots of history here. There are at least 12 Underhills in MA and NH who made edge tools and they are all related to each other. The first forge was located on what is now NH Rte 121 near the border of Auburn NH before it burned to the ground. The foundation is still there in the woods. Auburn being for much of its history a part of Chester. They operated in various combinations of names from the late 1700s until they were absorbed by the Amoskeag Axe Company in 1879 and AAC was purchased by the American Axe and Tool Company of Nashua NH in 1890. The first of the clan was Josiah Underhill (1758-1822) of my town, Chester NH. The assorted names in no particular order are:

Underhill Edge Tool Co.
Underhill, Brown, and Leighton
Flagg Temple Underhill
George Washington Underhill & Co.
Hazen Underhill & Co.
Jay Temple Underhill
Jesse Johnson Underhill
Josiah Underhill
Rufus K. Underhill
Samuel Graham Underhill

All worked in various combinations with each other at different times. For more detailed information consult: Instruments of Change- New Hampshire Hand Tools and their makers 1800-1900 published by the NH Historical Society 1985

That's alot of cool information, thanks Dave

Part II is up, not much to really say about it other than it took a while since I don't have a lathe so I just had to carve away. Fun project though and it'll be around for alot longer than I will for sure.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aegPxohhUqY

[Jim Koepke]

Pretty good handle for not having a lathe.

jtk

[Dan Kirkland]

Pretty good handle for not having a lathe.

jtk

Thanks Jim

[Diane Ramming]

Hello Mr. Anderson,
We are buying the Underhill house on Rt. 121. We would love to know more about the family if you are willing to share your knowledge with us.

Thanks and have a great day!

[Andrew Hughes]

Hello Mr. Anderson,
We are buying the Underhill house on Rt. 121. We would love to know more about the family if you are willing to share your knowledge with us.

Thanks and have a great day!

Hello Mr Anderson? That some matrix stuff right there.
Agent Smith?

[Diane Ramming]

:) Just being polite.

[Andrew Hughes]

:) Just being polite.

I know I’m just messing around.:) This sub forum is super serious with level 10 experts.
So goofing around is fun
Good Luck always

[Diane Ramming]

Agreed, and it did sound Matrix-ish when I typed it :)

[Dave Anderson NH]

Hi Diane,

Welcome to our little hand tool world. What I had posted on the Underhill family is most of what I know though more detail is listed in the book I referenced which is available at the NH Historical Society book store in Concord. You should also check with the Chester Historical Society. You can make contact through the town website at www.chesternh.org (http://www.chesternh.org). You can directly contact the historical society at: chester1722nh@gmail.com

[Diane Ramming]

Thank you! We’ve ordered the book and are waiting for it to arrive! Do you know where the forge was located in the woods?

[Dave Anderson NH]

I was told it was on the west side of route 121 almost on the Auburn line. My friend who knew exactly where it was located unfortunately passed away a few years back.