Lost and Found

This small set of “vintage carving tools” has a history. I owned a set of identical tools at the beginning of my days carving. They were purchased at an art store in Baltimore in the spring of 1969. I learned the basics of carving with them, and carved my first eagles with them. They continued in use until someone I trusted stole them in 1975.
About a week ago, I saw these for sale on the internet and decided to rehome them in my shop.

I am sure that Millers Falls produced thousands of these sets. Many have survived in varying conditions. The tool steel was of good quality, and the selection of individual tools in the set was thoughtful rather than random. Frequently, tool sets have an odd assortment of mismatched tools. Sets often don’t fit the needs of beginning carvers because of the poor selection. But Millers Falls was a storied name in woodworking tools – even their beginner’s set of carving tools was well thought out and manufactured.

I don’t buy tools for display; I don’t have the room or inclination to do that. The steel is good—I can restore the bevels and sharpen and hone the tools for use. The flecks of rust don’t bother me; I can buff them out.

Soon, I will rack these with my other carving tools. Like back in the early seventies I’ll reach for my favorite tool and carve.