Not all chisels and planes are made with old anchor chain iron, but many of the more expensive ones are. I've seen the piles of anchor chain and the cut up anchors to prove it (I have a small pile myself). There are also piles of old riveted bridge girders, boiler tanks, etc. The point is that it's wrought iron - pre Bessemer - and it forges more easily, has a fibrous nature which allows it to bend rather than fatigue crack, resists rust, is soft on sharpening stones, and it etches nicely to reveal wood grain or mokume patterns. The stuff is getting harder and harder to come by in Japan so the toolmakers really have to scrounge for it, but there is a market for it there so people do salvage it. Here it all just get's hauled to the scrappers yard where it gets melted together with old cars and whatever to make new stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis McDonaugh