Like many of us, I have multiple sets of chisels.  The exact number is a closely
held secret LOML does not know.  Some sets for general woodworking.  Some for
better woodworking.   Some for the really better woodworking that I pray I don’t
fall asleep doing while using them — dangerous concept in itself as these are
kept quite sharp.  And then there is a bunch of a different style altogether
that has no plastic where you grip it — those are for metalworking.  I generally
don’t mix these groups in use.

I do have a full set of Stanley yellow & black celluloid or plastic handled
chisels that I slip into a tool bag when I go elsewhere — usually being one of
my kid’s homes to attempt fixing or new carpentry or trim work.   They are
surprisingly good chisels, but much lower in replacement value than some of the
others I own.  I also have two chisels from the very first matching tool sets
that graced my and my brothers’ hands at single digit ages - wooden handles with
clear finish and light blue paint at the whacking end of the handle.  Aged and
well used, and turned some years ago into something really useful for seating
wedges into handles within tool heads.

But these others — wow, I can’t say that I ever thought I had the time needed to
return something like these brutally abused tools to serviceable condition.  I
used to see these things at the flea markets and just cringe.   Some of them
likely did have nice steel, and were pretty good tools at one time, but the
abuse they suffered would be too much to learn in detail.  On the now infrequent
times I wander flea markets, these are what I too often see — the good ones are
apparently being either hoarded or sold on *bay.

Wow, Bill.  Let’s hope their steel at least gets recycled.  I would do the same
thing you did — ye olde constabulary statement of "Move on folks, nothing to see
here” comes to mind.  …  shudder ….

Charlie
 

On Sat, Apr 22, 2017 at 3:00 PM, William Ghio  wrote:

Or was somebody just having a bad day?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/77280442@N.../34197627665/in/dateposted-public/