A paring chisel with a special memory of Guinea!

[Wilco Flier]

Last year I spent 6 month's as a volunteer in Guinea, West-Africa. Although there was a lot of tension in the town where I stayed (Conakry) I managed it to visit a local woodcraft market where they sold typical African carvings out of beautifull woods. I asked if I could buy a piece of rough Ebony wood with the intention to make something nice out of it once back home. Fortunately, they had a nice peice of ebony in stock and I bought it. Once back home, it took a while to make something out of it, because I was a bit anxious to ruin the wood. But a few weeks ago I was making a set of new paring chisels for sale and I decided to make a handel for a paring chisel out of it. And to my opinion, it has worked out very well, see the pictures below. This is a very special chisel, and every time I pick it up I remeber that special time and place in Africa.

 

[undergroundhunter]

Nice chisel that my friend, well done.

Matt

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It looks like African blackwood. Beautiful tool!

 

[Wilco Flier]

That's right. I bought it as Ebony, but later I did some research and I discovered that it is African blackwood indeed. ;-) Not that it matters to me, the story behind it remains the same.

 

[DannyEssex]

Very nice and a lovely memento

 

[jimi43]

Superb...African blackwood is stunning with the right treatment and the inclusion of the sapwood really sets it off!

I particularly like your design of handle and ferrule too...it glides into the sleek, thin metal of the paring chisel with utmost elegance.

A real gem and there is nothing like memories or fond affection to help guide your hands when you work with a tool you love.

Bravo!

Jimi

 

[mqbernardo]

i just posted on the older thread. wow, that wood is really nice. IMHO african blackwood has the nicest sapwood of all. looks just awesome.

 

[SpinDoctor]

looks great. what's the blade made out of?

 

[MARK.B.]

Very nice indeed,it just sort of looks comfortable to use =D> =D> =D> , a full set of handles like that would look great. Next time you go to Conakry take a spare suitcase for some more :wink:

 

[Wilco Flier]

looks great. what's the blade made out of?

The steel part is made out of O1 steel bar.

 

[dazzer]

I have some of Wilco's pairing chisels and would like to say that they are fantastic

I'm just waiting for my next few to be sent out when they are ready!

I would encourage anyone who was looking for really nice tools to consider Wilco as his prices are competitive and are custom made to your requirements (I ordered a bracing chisel and a draw knife and these were made to the specifications I wanted)

I will be ordering more from Wilco as he offers a great service and keeps you fully updated of the progress of the tools!

All the best
Dave