Richard - I've read your post with interest; sorry I don't have any 
knowldege about the square you described.  But, I do have a question 
for you:  About thirty years ago I purchased some Swedish-made wood 
chisels when I lived in Brazil.  They are still with me, and have 
proven to be the best tools I've ever had.  Is the manufacturer still 
in business and do they have a US distributer?  The name on the chisel 
is  and on the larger sizes there 
is a fish -- possibly a dolphin or a whale.  If you don't know about 
the US distributer, I would be happy for their Swedish address so I 
can write/telephone/e-mail.   Many thanks in advance.  Dave Anderson 
in Texas

Dave writes :

>Richard - I've read your post with interest; sorry I don't have any 
>knowldege about the square you described.  But, I do have a question 
>for you:  About thirty years ago I purchased some Swedish-made wood 
>chisels when I lived in Brazil.  They are still with me, and have 
>proven to be the best tools I've ever had.  Is the manufacturer still 
>in business and do they have a US distributer?  The name on the chisel 
>is  and on the larger sizes there 
>is a fish -- possibly a dolphin or a whale.

I see these all the time at flea markets.  There appears to be some 
variation in quality even within this trademark.  The very short,
squarish chisels (what're these good for anyway ?) seem to be better 
quality than the more normal longer paring chisels (soft-looking steel,
cheapish handle).

I've picked up 3 or 4 and haven't paid more than 1.50 apiece.

I can't speak from experience (yet, they're still lying around 
downstairs waiting for me to get around to using them) but I think 
a chisel like a Witherby certainly looks/feels to be higher quality.

Paul

Montreal (Quebec)

Paul writes something like "what are these good for?" in reference to the
shorter, squarer chisels he has...in the Petrovich book on making tools, the
author argues that this is indeed the most useful size and shape of chisel.
Paraphrasing from memory, I think he feels that being closer to the work
gives the craftsman more feedback and control over the work.

Personally, I prefer the old socket style, and give me some blade length, too!

BTW, Paul, I'm enjoying the "tales from the crypt"

Tom Koehler-Shepley

Dave wrote:

>Richard - I've read your post with interest; sorry I don't have any 
>knowldege about the square you described.  But, I do have a question 
>for you:  About thirty years ago I purchased some Swedish-made wood 
>chisels when I lived in Brazil.  They are still with me, and have 
>proven to be the best tools I've ever had.  Is the manufacturer still 
>in business and do they have a US distributer?  The name on the chisel 
>is  and on the larger sizes there 
>is a fish -- possibly a dolphin or a whale.  If you don't know about 
>the US distributer, I would be happy for their Swedish address so I 
>can write/telephone/e-mail.   Many thanks in advance.  Dave Anderson 
>in Texas

Don't know (but think not) if Eskilstuna is still in business, but I do know
their chisels are wonderful and a coveted item. Thanks your lucky stars that
you have them and guard them well,

David

Richard writes:

> Someone else mentioned the quality of their Swedish chisels.  i had a look
> at the same place I got the square and found the conical broaches, but
> they only had el cheepo chisels.  Now I have a manufacturer name I'll asl
> around here - I'm at SKF, the bearing people at the moment, who own Ovako
> steel.  Not much help, and I can't even buy a bearing for the lathe I'm
> aiming to build.
>
> Anyway. I'll ask around.  (I am on 'vacation' for three weeks from Friday,
> so it may be while before you hear, but I'll respond one way or another...
>

While in Chicago a couple weeks ago I found a Swedish rasp. It's made by
C.O. Oberg & Co and marked ESKILSTUNA. (The city maybe?) The thing is "U"
shaped and has a hollow back and the teeth are continuious across the face
like a file is cut. It looks kinda like a horse shoe rasp. The teeth also
have grooves cut about 1/4" apart in serpentine fashion. I'd sure like to
find more of these! Flat ones, different sizes and sweeps. It cuts faster
than a pattern makers rasp but leaves a finish that looks planed when
twisted to the left during the stroke, when you twist to the right it cuts
even faster but leaves a slightly rough finish. Its hollow back and the fact
that it's only about 1/8" thick make it the lightest rasp I know of. The
place I got it only had one of them and didn't know what they were. Best $10
I've spent in a long time.

Maybe someone knows what this thing is and someone who stocks them in the
U.S. Please let me know if you do.

Larry Williams

  The name on the chisel 
>>is  and on the larger sizes there 
>>is a fish -- possibly a dolphin or a whale.  

The fish is a shark, and the chisels are sometimes referred to as "Shark
Brand", although someone once speculated it was a sardine :-)

I don't know whether Erik Anton Berg is still in business.  I have two, a
1/4" and a 1.75", wonderful steel.  A friend has multiples of every size
Berg ever produced.