Here's something worth a look - a recently published booklet telling the story of the Ken Hawley Collection.
Ken Hawley has collected something over 100,000 tools and related items, plus 70,000 catalogues and other papers, telling the story of tool making in Sheffield. It's an astounding collection and is now housed by a charitable trust - see http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com for more information. Rather than repeat what is on that website, I just want to draw your attention to this book.
Its aim is to give a taster of the breadth and depth of the collection, which it does very well.
Where else would you see a special plane for making the wedges to go in wooden planes, or a rebate plane with variable pitch, or a jig to sharpen a float?
Or a special curved ruler for a tailor to measure trouser legs?
Ken Hawley must personally have more experience and knowledge of toolmaking and selling than anyone else. Here he is demonstrating the centuries-old method of cutting files by hand:
Really, all I want to say is "buy this book" - how else will you know how to spot a pickaroon, or a spider bevel, or a beekeeper's spur embedding tool? How will you tell jimping from rattening?
It's 92 pages, full colour and only £4.99 from the shop at the Kelham Island museum, or by post, or from other good booksellers.
I definitely want to visit the musem when I can get a bit nearer Sheffield - has anyone already been there?
Ken Hawley has collected something over 100,000 tools and related items, plus 70,000 catalogues and other papers, telling the story of tool making in Sheffield. It's an astounding collection and is now housed by a charitable trust - see http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com for more information. Rather than repeat what is on that website, I just want to draw your attention to this book.
Its aim is to give a taster of the breadth and depth of the collection, which it does very well.
Where else would you see a special plane for making the wedges to go in wooden planes, or a rebate plane with variable pitch, or a jig to sharpen a float?
Or a special curved ruler for a tailor to measure trouser legs?
Ken Hawley must personally have more experience and knowledge of toolmaking and selling than anyone else. Here he is demonstrating the centuries-old method of cutting files by hand:
Really, all I want to say is "buy this book" - how else will you know how to spot a pickaroon, or a spider bevel, or a beekeeper's spur embedding tool? How will you tell jimping from rattening?
It's 92 pages, full colour and only £4.99 from the shop at the Kelham Island museum, or by post, or from other good booksellers.
I definitely want to visit the musem when I can get a bit nearer Sheffield - has anyone already been there?
