On 7/24/2014 10:51 AM, scott grandstaff wrote:
>
 > And BTW, just how "Extra" was the extra quality and polish listed as
 > an option for almost everything, in every category? How extra?
 >

Teeny sample size here, I picked up an unhandled James Swan 1 inch gouge
maybe 10 years ago at a tool sale.  I can't swear it was NOS but it was VERY
shiney, almost a mirror polish on it from bolster to edge.  No sign of rust at
all, a marked difference to the NOS Marples gouges I picked up.
I suspect that the "extra polish" made a big difference in the rust or lack
thereof.

I put an embarrassingly plain and ugly handle on that Swan gouge and put
it to work after a good sharpening.  Someday I will make a better handle...

-- 
Darrell LaRue
Oakville ON
Wood Hoarder, Blade Sharpener, and Occasional Tool User