Special Christmas present

[Jan]

Last year I received from colleagues, who are aware of my sharpening hobby, a special ancient tool as a Christmas present. 



The donor told me that it's a farrier's chisel used to form hooves of horses.
The chisel cannot be sharpen on TORMEK because it is too narrow (less than 40 mm, some 1 1/2").

May be similar tools were used also in colonial America. In Europe farriers are known until today from the Household Cavalry of the British Army.

Jan

[Elden]

   I imagine it was originally sharpened using a file. A grinding wheel, that would fit between the two side wings, could be used  carefully, free hand. Do you have the paper wheel set-up, Jan?  I think those would be ideal. Is the right wing broken off or was it made that way? From the picture it appears to have been made that way.

[Jan]

You are correct Elden, it was probably originally sharpened using a file.   
As you can see from the detailed pictures the tool is in good condition, at one side wing there is little toe.




I do not have a paper wheel. Even more I am considering whether to sharpen the tool or leave it in its current condition with patina.

Jan

[stevebot]

Leave it with the patina unless you are planning to use it.

[Ken S]

Jan,

What a nice old tool. I'm glad your colleagues had the wisdom to choose you as a steward. I totally agree with Steve on just leaving the patina. Better to spend your time researching the tool than sharpening it for no intended use.

Thanks for sharing.

Ken

ps I had the pleasure of watching a local ferrier work several years ago. It is quite a craft.

nice photos, too.

[Elden]

Steve and Ken are correct about leaving the patina for a non used tool being the best. However, I am one of those that likes to see a shiny cutting edge. That shiny edge takes away from the value of the tool, I am told. Thanks for posting the extra pictures.

[Ken S]

Elden,

Your post reminds me of visiting the Rijksmuseum (please pardon my Dutch spelling) in Amsterdam decades ago. I was impressed by the pristine ivory recorders (blockflutes). They were works of art. Then I realized that the reason they were so immaculate was that they were not played. The outstanding instruments had been played out long ago. I like to see old tools with honorable wear and patina.

Ken

[Jan]

Thanks for your opinions and recommendations! 

Let me use the name of this topic's as an occasion to wish you Marry Christmas!



Josef Lada, 1940, Czech Christmas

Jan

[Ken S]

Nice Christmas image, Jan, and a good thought.  A Merry Christmas to all.

Ken

[RobinW]

Somewhere out of the grey cells, a word came to me - and I know nothing about horses or have any connection with them!

Jan's tool is called a butteris.

Dictionary says:- 'Farrier's tool for paring hoof'.

Merry Christmas to all Forum members.

[Jan]

"You see, mon ami, the voices of the little gray cells have begun to sing to Poirot." Agatha Christie.

Thank you Robin for finding the name of my tool. 

Jan