Brass chisels? Why?

[Hunkamunka]

Please can someone tell me what these are for? Brass blades, wooden handles. I’m stumped!

 

[D_W]

Possibly for clay/sculpture

 

[Rorschach]

Historical? Woodworking existed long before Iron and Steel.

 

[Torx]

First guess would be somewhere you don’t want sparks, like an engineers tool kit from a petroleum plant or oil rig. But they look like a specialist set and cold chisels don’t usually have wooden handles.

 

[Inspector]

Gas workers use bronze tools because they aren't sparking. I have no idea what work those would be for if gas related unless they are scrapers.

Pete

 

[LJM]

These are not ancient (I used to be an archaeologist). One possibility: Brass is used where a harder material could damage a delicate component. An idea of the the size of these would help.

 

[Orraloon]

Brass was also used to get plastic out of steel molds so as not to scratch the mold.
Regards
John

 

[Rorschach]

These are not ancient (I used to be an archaeologist). One possibility: Brass is used where a harder material could damage a delicate component. An idea of the the size of these would help.

I know they aren't ancient! lol
I meant historical replicas, for people doing pre iron age woodworking.

 

[Hunkamunka]

See? So helpful and wise!
They are 20cm end to end. The wooden handles seem to be made for being held in a hand rather than for impact or driving force. I suppose that disqualifies most suggestions except the clay modelling one. Maybe they are designed for that, and are brass because of corrosion with steel/wet clay?

 

[Adam W.]

They are the wrong shape and look too stiff for clay modelling.

 

[paulrbarnard]

Leatherwork?

 

[Hunkamunka]

Leatherwork... but why brass?

 

[Cabinetman]

The largest one looks to be almost 25 mil across and they then appear to decrease in size by one or 2 mm right down to 5? across, they are definitely a set, in that You need the right one for the particular job, but what that is I can’t imagine, and either never used or cleaned extremely well afterwards. Ian

 

[doctor Bob]

I wonder what's the best way to sharpen them ...........................................

 

[Hunkamunka]

Largest one is 45mm across, and smallest is 5mm. They are all slightly crescent shaped at the "cutting edge" rather than being straight across. The "cutting edge" chamfers down to about 0.75mm rather than a fine edge.

 

[Hunkamunka]

So they are either not intended to be a cutting edge, or have yet to be sharpened. they look unused and have no markings other than a pencil written number on each handle - 1 to 10. A set, as has been suggested.

 

[Cabinetman]

Oh that wide, the mystery deepens.
I think they are shapers instead of cutters, so something soft like clay as has been mentioned or wax or for cake making /sculpting iceing

 

[Hunkamunka]

Gasket scrapers?

 

[Blackswanwood]

My guess is for clay/pottery. The handles don’t look like they are designed to be hit with a hammer or mallet so probably scrapers?

 

[dannyr]

very interesting

the handles/size and outline are quite like burnishing tools for silverware (used alone or with jewellers rouge) but those are usually agate or steel tipped and not bevelled like these -- for similar on pewter?

bookbinders use many brass tools (sometimes heated before use) but not seen these in their kit - could put a narrow crease on those ridges in a leather spine/back?

or for some trade where steel would stain but brass wouldn't - bone, horn, tortoiseshell?

gold leaf?

all questions not answers