OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

112779 Don McConnell <DMCCONN@c...> 2002‑12‑28 Charles Maiers & Sons (carving tools)
Wa-a-ay back on November 7, 2002, Ken Greenberg asked about:

>    ... a bunch of carving tools I acquired recently. But mine are
>stamped "C. Maier." This is a name I have not run into before, so
>am a bit curious as to country of origin, approximate age, and
>what people think of them in relation to Addis, Herring, and the
>like.

When Ken's query came through, I had a vague sense that I had a
photo-copy of a small catalog from this company (supplied by fellow
list member Doug Overmyer, I think), but couldn't locate it. And the
DAT wasn't much help, either -- listing only the name, C. MAIERS,
and chisels as the tools they manufactured.

Finally, this morning, I rediscovered this small catalog and have
decided it might be worthwhile passing along some information from
it.

The title page reads:

                          Catalog of
                         Carving Tools
                      Linoleum Block Tools
                     Leather Modeling Tools

                             1928

                            Made by
                    CHARLES MAIERS & SONS
                59 Sixteenth Ave.  Newark, N.J.
                      Established 1884

Of the Linoleum Block Cutting Tools, the catalog indicates that
they were intended for use in manual training classes in schools
and could be used for "amateur wood carving." They were provided
with simple, turned, tear-drop-shaped handles and came sharpened
"ready to use."

Their carving tools are listed, and shown, as "Fish Tail Carving
Tools." They came un-handled, not sharpened, in widths from 1/32"
to 1 1/2", and in sweeps and configurations (straight, long bent,
short bent, etc.) consistent with the London Pattern. They could be
supplied sharpened and handled (barrel-shaped octagon handles made
of dogwood) at an additional cost.

Though there is no indication that this catalog is a partial
listing of their 1928 product line, I'm left wondering if all
the carving tools they made were of the "fish tail" and bolster-
less configuration? What other types of carving tools, of this
make, do list members own?

At the least, we now know that the firm was in business from 1884
to, at least, 1928. As well, as their location as of the latter
date. Possibly, someone with access to older Newark, New Jersey
Directories could do some research and provide additional data?

Don McConnell
Knox County, Ohio


112780 "Ben Knebel" <knebel@r...> 2002‑12‑28 Re: Charles Maiers & Sons (carving tools)
That's very intersting Don. For some reason I always thought they were
British--obviously not. I may have thought so because any I've come across
have always been mixed in with Addis or Herring. If I recall correctly
I've seen other standard London Pattern carvers from them including
gouges--straight and bent and spoons both straight and bent. I don't have
any I can look at at the moment as I sell anything I find that is
non-Addis.

Thank you for sharing the information.

Kind regards
and Happy New year 
Ben


112783 reeinelson@w... (Bob Nelson) 2002‑12‑28 Re: Charles Maiers & Sons (carving tools)
Hi Don & All,

I'm very surprised about Don's info on Charles Maiers. It's a bit hard
to imagine how Alex. Farnam could have missed such a company while doing
his intensive research on New Jersey tool makers that led to two books
on the subject. It's certainly possible that he did, but unlikely enough
to make me wonder about any other possibilities. One that immediately
leaps to mind is that Maiers was not ncessarily in business in Newark
for as  long as Don indicates. It was quite common for companies to cite
Est. dates of some other company they succeeded or such; Maiers might
have only worked in NJ under that name for the one year of 1928. There
are other scenarios re his moving into and out of NJ, etc. As Don
indicated, some research of the Newark directories would be needed to
prove the case, but I think Farnam has done that without coming up with
Maiers name. Interesting.

Bob


112787 Minch <ruby@m...> 2002‑12‑28 Re: Charles Maiers & Sons (carving tools)
Don McConnell  wrote:

> Though there is no indication that this catalog is a partial
> listing of their 1928 product line, I'm left wondering if all
> the carving tools they made were of the "fish tail" and bolster-
> less configuration? What other types of carving tools, of this
> make, do list members own?

I recently saw a group of 125 carving chisels go at auction - including
30-40 Maier chisels.  They were of all configurations and went for $12.75
per tool when you divide it out.

Ed Minch


112792 Randy Roeder <roeder.randall@m...> 2002‑12‑28 Re: Charles Maiers & Sons (carving tools)
Hi all,

I checked, and I have 30 C. Maiers carving tools. The widest is 1/2
inch. Most appear to have the original handles. They are bolsterless and
octagonal. There are straight and bent tools. The the bent gouges are
the short bent style--a number of these are back bent. Many are
fish-tail style. Included are gouges of widely different radiuses, a
parting tool and a couple of tiny, flat chisels.

I've always assumed that they were for delicate work--tiny flower petals
and the like. The quality appears to be overkill for linoleum, but, hey,
you market 'em to whoever's got the bucks. That said, like most of my
tools, I've yet to use them.

Randy Roeder


112819 "Michael Recchione" <michael_recchione@y...> 2002‑12‑29 Re: Charles Maiers & Sons (carving tools)
It's a long shot, but is it possible that this company was bought out by
U.J. Ramelson?  The Ramelson company has been in business in Newark since
the late 1930's, and currently manufactures a line of lower end palm and
full-sized carving tools as well as linoleum and graphic arts tools. 
Their tools (particularly the palm tools) are resold under a number of
store lables including the usual suspects, e.g. Woodcraft, etc.

- Mike in Nutley, NJ, jewel of the Newark suburbs :-)



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