So, W Johnson spokeshaves? Newark NJ?
  Who knows the story of these?
  There are just too many of them, in too good a condition to be random 
chance.
  Was there a warehouse of never-sold examples discovered sometime?

  These are great wood body shaves. Fruitwood is the most common 
material. They are probably not made yesterday (before the turn of the 
century likely). mostly show up in fine condition
  And yet, seldom have much collector value at all.
  Simply too common.

I have some 1870's ink and musclage bottles. Sealed, full, colorful 
lithographed original labels, and beautiful mouth blown bottles.
   But 2 dozen cases were uncovered in the corner of an old warehouse.

  At the very beginning, right after the find, I got several of them for 
2 bucks apiece! I will always jump on warehouse finds because I have 
found in my life, if they are fine items the supply will disperse soon 
enough, and the price will never be the same as it was just after the 
discovery.

  Anyway I am wondering if the Johnson shave story is similar?

  I know I've told you, but just for the few who might not know, Kitty 
and I buy our own Christmas presents.
  We pick them out and get them, but don't look again after the 
purchase, and the other person never sees what they are.
  So some surprise is maintained and nobody get the wrong size or color.
   We had a microscopic budget this year. Neither one of us got near 
btw.  Each trying to be hyper conservative about it.

  Well, my gift to me, was a spokeshave. I wasn't desperate for one, but 
when I saw it, I couldn't resist.
  It was an auction listing, from someone who knows nothing about tools. 
Disposing of the grandpas stuff.
  The first three pictures I saw looked like this.

   http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/travisher.jpg

  But the last picture??
  http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/travisher2.jpg

  Being a Johnson, and showing only the top and bottom making it look 
flat, nobody was looking.
Minimum bid, and very reasonable postage.

  What could I do??
    yours Scott

-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Jan 7, 2012 5:06 PM, "scott grandstaff"  wrote:

>  But the last picture??
>  http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/travisher2.jpg

Oooh, pretty.  Wonderful shape to that.

Kirk from the droid
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just watched a DVD of an American Experience show called 'The Orphan 
Trains', about orphaned, destitute or abused children from NYC who were 
sent to live with "rural families."  They interviewed a number of the 
former children and one of the parents. Some got off to a rough start 
and a few went through 3 or 4 homes before they got settled, but for the 
most part they had loving memories of the "foster" family.

I suspect this shave probably feels a bit like some of those orphans -- 
glad to have a loving home.

Ed

On 1/7/2012 8:39 PM, Kirk Eppler wrote:
> On Jan 7, 2012 5:06 PM, "scott grandstaff"  wrote:
>
>>   But the last picture??
>>   http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/travisher2.jpg
> Oooh, pretty.  Wonderful shape to that.
>
> Kirk from the droid
>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom Russell wrote a gut-wrenching song about the  Orphan Train experience.  
These folks don't sing it as well as he, but the  words still have great  
power.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwaGSIDMv9k

Cheers,
John

John  M. Johnston
There is a fine line between hobby and mental illness. Dave  Barry

In a message dated 1/7/2012 9:35:55 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
neanderman@f... writes:
I just watched a DVD of an American Experience  show called 'The Orphan 
Trains', about orphaned, destitute or abused  children from NYC who were 
sent to live with "rural families."  They  interviewed a number of the 
former children and one of the parents. Some got  off to a rough start 
and a few went through 3 or 4 homes before they got  settled, but for the 
most part they had loving memories of the "foster"  family.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Jan 7, 2012, at 8:05 PM, scott grandstaff wrote:

> So, W Johnson spokeshaves? Newark NJ?
> Who knows the story of these?
> There are just too many of them, in too good a condition to be random chance.
> Was there a warehouse of never-sold examples discovered sometime?

Don't know nothin' about the history of W. Johnson shaves. However, I do appreci
ate your post because last Sunday I picked up a skinny 9-inch long round-nosed s
have. The kind that are perfect for inside curves. The mark on it left me wonder
ing: ******son, Newark NJ! So now I know who made it. Thanks.

Bill, who's new shave is not as pretty as Scotts.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Scott, that there spokeshave is all bent out of shape. If you send
it over I'll see whether it can be fixed but it might take a while,
being all crooked like that. Congratulations on the win. It looks like a
beauty! Regards, Peter, green with envy and ignoring the commandment to
"covet not thy neighbour's old tools, especially the much-sought-but-not-yet-fou
nd-at-a-decent-
price travishers"

Sent from my iPhone so please excuse any terse grammar or bad speeling.

Peter Robinson In Brisbane, Australia

On 08/01/2012, at 11:05 AM, scott grandstaff  wrote:

> Well, my gift to me, was a spokeshave. I wasn't desperate for one, but
> when I saw it, I couldn't resist.
>> But the last picture??
> http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/travis-
> her2.jpg
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>-

On Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 7:52 PM, Gary Roberts  wrote:

> I have a catalog somewhere> Johnson made tools primarily for the
> leather goods industry. Shaves were used heavily in shoe making in
> factories which I would think accounts for their numbers.
>

DAT says: Johnson, William (1) Newark NJ 1830 - 1957 Carpentry tools,
Farm tools, Levels, Marking Gauges, Saw Tools, Saws, Screwdrivers and
SHAVES (boy, didn't think we'd ever get there)

3 different marks noted William Johnson, Newark NJ
W. Johnson, Newark NJ (name line curved) Wm Johnson, Newark NJ (both
   lines curved to an oval)

The original William was succeeded by William Jr circa 1864 who ran it
until circa 1910

Johnson, William (3) Was a leather worker, but he was based in Hampstead
NH, 1858 - 1859 Later lived in Haverhill MA and Cleveland OH, but not
known if he worked there.

Kirk in HMB, slowly catching up
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a catalog somewhere Johnson made tools primarily for the leather
goods industry. Shaves were used heavily in shoe making in factories
which I would think accounts for their numbers.

Gary ............................... Gary Roberts
http://shop.toolemera.com http://toolemera.com
http://toolemerablog.typepad.com

"I'ld rather read a good book, than write a poor one."
Christopher Morley

On Jan 8, 2012, at 8:57 AM, Bill Ghio wrote:

>> On Jan 7, 2012, at 8:05 PM, scott grandstaff wrote:
>>> So, W Johnson spokeshaves? Newark NJ?
>> Who knows the story of these? There are just too many of them, in too
>> good a condition to be random chance. Was there a warehouse of never-
>> sold examples discovered sometime?
>>> Don't know nothin' about the history of W. Johnson shaves. However,
>>> I do appreciate your post because last Sunday I picked up a skinny
>>> 9-inch long round-nosed shave. The kind that are perfect for inside
>>> curves. The mark on it left me wondering: ******son, Newark NJ! So
>>> now I know who made it. Thanks.
>> Bill, who's new shave is not as pretty as Scotts.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> --------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/ OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott and assembled galooterati: FWIW=2C the provenance of my Johnson
shave indicates use by a patternmaker. My Johnson 6" shave came from a
patternmaker's toolkit being dispersed by a Jersey City NJ Antique
dealer back in the 1990's. John Ruth -------------------------------------------
----------------------------
-

The William Johnson company was a prolific toolmaker. I frequently find
their spokeshaves, layout tools, and other items. Johnson liked to use
exotic woods like boxwood, rosewood, and fruitwood in their spokeshaes
and gauges. Some are quite beautiful and examples in mint condition do
come up from time to time. Not too long ago a crisp rosewood spokeshave
was featured in one of MJD's Nashua auction. Almost all of the Johnson
tools I've found have been wood-related. C.S. Osborne, another Newark
maker, was responsible for making almost all of the leather tools I
find, though I may have a Johnson heel shave somewhere..

Josh

On Jan 9, 2012, at 11:55 AM, John Ruth wrote:

>> Scott and assembled galooterati: FWIW, the provenance of my Johnson
>> shave indicates use by a patternmaker.
> My Johnson 6" shave came from a patternmaker's toolkit being dispersed
> by a Jersey City NJ Antique dealer back in the 1990's.
>> John Ruth -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> -------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I don't remember ever seeing a spoke shave. Leather punches, rivet 
setters, dividers, even a
> nice looking wood handled dibble. Just did a look see in the archives,
> I've also had turnscrews, scorps, and pinch dogs. They were pretty
> diverse in their offerings, but then a lot of tool makers were at some
> point. Disston made cement trowels and I even had a Disston slate
> ripper. Even Osborne had some non-leather tool items.
>
> Tony (tools tools and more tools...)

  But Tony, I got my other Johnson, a darling little 7" straight wooden 
shave, of elegant fruitwood construction, for you.
  I still have it, still love it. You let me have it for 10 bucks as I 
recall,

    but its been, uh, some years.      heh heheh

  Also, just general thinking, I have still seen -too- many Johnson 
shaves, in too good a condition.
  I know they were a pretty big company and pretty diverse, but compared 
to even the great CS Osbourne, I have seen a lot more Johnson shaves, 
still around in good shape, than any other American marked shave I can 
think of.
  Maybe they were still making wood body shaves longer than anyone else? 
Maybe even up into the 50's?
    Either that, or somebody really did discover a big stash of them in 
a warehouse someplace. There are just too many.
   yours Scott

*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On 01/09/12, Anthony Seo wrote:

> What I find of Johnson tools are a mixed bag. I don't remember ever 
> seeing a spoke shave. 

Many moons ago, when I still lived in NJ and was a member of NJ CRAFTS, I had a 
big WJ spokeshave. I still remember the logo - it had the letters WJ in a triang
le. 

At one of the CRAFTS meetings, I showed it to Tom Lamond - it was shortly after 
he had published his spokeshave book - and he immediately said, "William Johnson
, Newark." 

I don't have his spokeshave book, but evidently, he's got W. Johnson in there. 

- Bill T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

At 01:11 PM 1/9/2012, Joshua Clark wrote:
>The William Johnson company was a prolific toolmaker. I frequently 
>find their spokeshaves, layout tools, and other items. Johnson liked 
>to use exotic woods like boxwood, rosewood, and fruitwood in their 
>spokeshaes and gauges. Some are quite beautiful and examples in mint 
>condition do come up from time to time. Not too long ago a crisp 
>rosewood spokeshave was featured in one of MJD's Nashua auction. 
>Almost all of the Johnson tools I've found have been wood-related. 
>C.S. Osborne, another Newark maker, was responsible for making 
>almost all of the leather tools I find, though I may have a Johnson 
>heel shave somewhere..

What I find of Johnson tools are a mixed bag.  I don't remember ever 
seeing a spoke shave.   Leather punches, rivet setters, dividers, 
even a nice looking wood handled dibble.    Just did a look see in 
the archives, I've also had turnscrews, scorps,  and pinch 
dogs.  They were pretty diverse in their offerings, but then a lot of 
tool makers were at some point.  Disston made cement trowels and I 
even had a Disston slate ripper.  Even Osborne had some non-leather tool items.

Tony (tools tools and more tools...)

                         Olde River Hard Goods
                     http://www.oldetoolshop.com
                                   TSMusic on Facebook
                http://www.facebook.com/tonyseomusic

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh yeah like I can type!!

  I got the little shave --from-- you, Tony. 

Of course you guys all know I can't type. Have to read betwixt the 
lines. heehehehehe
   yours Scott

-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 4:33 PM, ASRA-Eduardo De Diego
wrote:

>
> And still does! (Kinda) Here in Mexico I can buy all kinds of Disston
> tools.
> See them all the time. With a Disston Logo! Nicely packaged!
>
> Drum roll...........
>
> And of course you also know that these have no relation, in "beauty, finish
> or utility" to original Disston tools, I think some importer (of Asian
> product) hijacked the name as its easy to pronounce in Spanish.
>
>

Yeah, speaking of no relation

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/2791764709.html

This was so disappointing

Kirk in HMB, who has a Disston rake none of my contractors want to claim,
so I guess I will keep it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

All I have to say to that is "Wow!"

Doc
On Jan 9, 2012 6:45 PM, "Kirk Eppler"  wrote:

> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 4:33 PM, ASRA-Eduardo De Diego
> wrote:
>
> >
> > And still does! (Kinda) Here in Mexico I can buy all kinds of Disston
> > tools.
> > See them all the time. With a Disston Logo! Nicely packaged!
> >
> > Drum roll...........
> >
> > And of course you also know that these have no relation, in "beauty,
> finish
> > or utility" to original Disston tools, I think some importer (of Asian
> > product) hijacked the name as its easy to pronounce in Spanish.
> >
> >
>
> Yeah, speaking of no relation
>
> http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/2791764709.html
>
> This was so disappointing
>
> Kirk in HMB, who has a Disston rake none of my contractors want to claim,
> so I guess I will keep it.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Senor Snippo;
-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools-bounces@r...
[mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Anthony Seo

Disston made cement trowels..................

And still does! (Kinda) Here in Mexico I can buy all kinds of Disston tools.
See them all the time. With a Disston Logo! Nicely packaged!

Drum roll...........

And of course you also know that these have no relation, in "beauty, finish
or utility" to original Disston tools, I think some importer (of Asian
product) hijacked the name as its easy to pronounce in Spanish.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

At one point, Cooper Tools owned the Disston trademark (along with 
Nicholson and a few others.)  I'm not sure if they sold it or not.

Ed

On 1/9/2012 7:33 PM, ASRA-Eduardo De Diego wrote:
> Senor Snippo;
> -----Original Message-----
> From: oldtools-bounces@r...
> [mailto:oldtools-bounces@r...] On Behalf Of Anthony Seo
>
> Disston made cement trowels..................
>
> And still does! (Kinda) Here in Mexico I can buy all kinds of Disston tools.
> See them all the time. With a Disston Logo! Nicely packaged!
>
> Drum roll...........
>
> And of course you also know that these have no relation, in "beauty, finish
> or utility" to original Disston tools, I think some importer (of Asian
> product) hijacked the name as its easy to pronounce in Spanish.
>
>

------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are 2 pages on W Johnson in Lamond's book pp54-55.

Firm lasted 1834-1958, from 1934 - William Johnson Inc, always in Newark. In
1958 taken over by C S Osborne

Made a wide range of tools, including 4 styles of spokeshave = 40 models

Cheers
Peter Evans
Sydney, Australia
Skype peterrevans
-----Original Message-----
From: w.taggart@v...

Many moons ago, when I still lived in NJ and was a member of NJ CRAFTS, I
had a big WJ spokeshave. I still remember the logo - it had the letters WJ
in a triangle. 

At one of the CRAFTS meetings, I showed it to Tom Lamond - it was shortly
after he had published his spokeshave book - and he immediately said,
"William Johnson, Newark." 

I don't have his spokeshave book, but evidently, he's got W. Johnson in
there. 

- Bill T.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

At 05:40 PM 1/9/2012, scott grandstaff wrote:

>  But Tony, I got my other Johnson, a darling little 7" straight 
> wooden shave, of elegant fruitwood construction, for you.
>  I still have it, still love it. You let me have it for 10 bucks as I recall,
>
>    but its been, uh, some years.      heh heheh

Must have been a bunch or so of years cause I can't find any record 
of it and I have most of my sales emails still going back to 1996 or 
so.   I may have had one or more, it just doesn't right the old bell 
but then there ain't nothing new about that

Tony (thinking this might be a 3 coffee Tuesday..just saying..)

                         Olde River Hard Goods
                     http://www.oldetoolshop.com
                                   TSMusic on Facebook
                http://www.facebook.com/tonyseomusic

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have to correct myself here. Johnson made a lot of tools for the
shoemaker trade, particularly the last making side, hence the shaves,
gauges, etc. His stuff also turns up in many pattern makers tool chests.

I know I have a Johnson catalog and will do my best to find it.

Gary ............................... Gary Roberts
http://shop.toolemera.com http://toolemera.com
http://toolemerablog.typepad.com

"I'ld rather read a good book, than write a poor one."
Christopher Morley

On Jan 8, 2012, at 10:52 PM, Gary Roberts wrote:

> I have a catalog somewhere>> Johnson made tools primarily for the
> leather goods industry. Shaves were used heavily in shoe making in
> factories which I would think accounts for their numbers.
>> Gary
> ............................... Gary Roberts http://shop.toolemera.com
> http://toolemera.com http://toolemerablog.typepad.com
>> "I'ld rather read a good book, than write a poor one."
>> Christopher Morley
>>>>> On Jan 8, 2012, at 8:57 AM, Bill Ghio wrote: On Jan 7, 2012, at
>>>>> 8:05 PM, scott grandstaff wrote: So, W Johnson spokeshaves?
>>>>> Newark NJ?
>>> Who knows the story of these? There are just too many of them, in
>>> too good a condition to be random chance. Was there a warehouse of
>>> never-sold examples discovered sometime?
>>>>>> Don't know nothin' about the history of W. Johnson shaves.
>>>>>> However, I do appreciate your post because last Sunday I picked
>>>>>> up a skinny 9-inch long round-nosed shave. The kind that are
>>>>>> perfect for inside curves. The mark on it left me wondering:
>>>>>> ******son, Newark NJ! So now I know who made it. Thanks.
>>>> Bill, who's new shave is not as pretty as Scotts.
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> -------
>> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
>> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history,
>> usage, value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration
>> of traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>>>> To change your subscription options:
>> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>>>> To read the FAQ:
>> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>>>> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/ OldTools@r...
>> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>> -----------------------------------------------------------------
>> -------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/ OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

------------------------------------------------------------------------