Respect to J.Smith's work.

[Stewie Simpson]

As mentioned on a recent post, I purchased a used sharpening stone from the U.K, with the box stamped J.Smith on both end grains. Traditional practice would likely suggest that J.Smith was the likely maker of this box. The stone itself identified as a quality Arkansas Stone, likely imported to the u.k by one of the major sharpening stone merchants of that time period.



The cost of the stone would have represented a sizable investment by J.Smith, and as a show of importance of this stone within his craft, the owner felt the need to apply his makers stamp to the box he took great care to make.

As a sign of respect to J.Smith, a decision was made to restore this box to a condition that would closely resembled what it looked like when newly built, taking great care not to effect the end grain makers stamps during the process.

The first stage was to focus on the top half of the box. The side grains and bevels proved quite easy to dress back, requiring no more than a low angle block plane. The top surface was a totally different matter. Pre- existing tear-out indicated the face grain was going to be a troublesome mix within direction. I could have chosen a closely set double iron smoother, or a high angle wooden smoother, but I had some slight reservations on their effectiveness in this instance, From experience, a fine toothed veneer plane would be the obvious answer.

The following photo shows the top surface of the upper box half after being worked with the hand planes of choice. There are 2 tiny spots of tear out at opposite ends that proved much deeper, that I chose to address with CA Glue.



The mortise side was also deepened by an 1/8" to level out its depth.



The lid was then sanded back to 400 grit to remove the fine toothing blade surface, and 4 coats of garnet shellac applied to seal the wood.



Photo showing the difference between the finished surface on the top half of the box, to that of the untouched bottom half, which I will complete tomorrow. Photo's will be provided.



Stewie;

[Kees Heiden]

Nice job Stewie. Just a pitty that oilstone boxes are destined to become smudgy, due to the dirty nature of their job.

[Stewie Simpson]

Kees; that's less likely to occur with a quality shellac finish applied.

Stewie;

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Much respect. J. Smith must be smiling down on you. So it seems that box is mahogany instead of rosewood, or is it the camera playing tricks?

[Stewie Simpson]

Malcolm; I am not a religious person, so its more likely J.Smith's body is by now no more than compost in the ground, and his soul seized to exist when he died.

I am still undecided on the timbers identity. If time permits I will do some further research its origins.

Appreciate the feedback.

regards Stewie;

[Andrew Hughes]

Since I'm a wood geek and I love Wood I'd threads, I would like to guess Afzelia or Apitong.
Nice work on the box Stewie and a strange looking plane.

[Phil Mueller]

Nicely done, Stewie. A nice legacy for J. Smith. Sometime if you get the chance, would love to know more about the fine toothed veneer plane. I assume it's something of your own creation....

[Tom Vanzant]

Stewie, did you find any indication of an original finish, or was it just years of accumulated grunge?

[Bill White]

Stewie, I have a box in the same original condition, and have been torn about the thought of renovating. The mind says leave it alone, but the eye says to refurb.
You have done a great job. Makes me want to do the same.
Bill

[Jim Koepke]

That is a great looking wood whatever it may be.

jtk

[Jim Belair]

I like these threads on your newly found stones/ boxes Stewie. Thanks.

[Stewie Simpson]

Nicely done, Stewie. A nice legacy for J. Smith. Sometime if you get the chance, would love to know more about the fine toothed veneer plane. I assume it's something of your own creation....

Thanks Phil; its fair to say that most woodworkers would hope that their well looked after tools will end up in the hands of someone who will also treasure their use. Unfortunately I have adult children that have no interest in woodworking, so its likely all my workshop tools will end up being flogged off cheap at a garage sale, and the remaining unsold items binned as rubbish.

The veneer plane shown is another of my creations. Its unconventional in traditional design, with the escarpment for the planed waste discharging from the front end of the plane. The toothed iron fitted is high ppi, with the gullets in between being less than 1mm in height. They are designed to be used with a very fine set, but when needed can remove surface material reasonably quickly. These traditional fine toothed irons are a lot differently to the coarser toothed versions being sold on the market today.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie, did you find any indication of an original finish, or was it just years of accumulated grunge?

Tom; the original finish looks to have been oil based, possibly linseed, or a common variant being used in the u.k during that time period. As mentioned to Kees, the new shellac finish should add improved resilience to outer box surface.

Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

Stewie, I have a box in the same original condition, and have been torn about the thought of renovating. The mind says leave it alone, but the eye says to refurb.
You have done a great job. Makes me want to do the same.
Bill

Bill; go for the refurb. If the 2 internal halves are mating well, do little to upset that fit. As was my case with the makers stamps on the end grains of the box, I did little more than apply a light sanding prep to protect their integrity. A sharpening stone box that has the appearance of being well looked after, has a far better chance of being looked after and appreciated by the next generation of user. If you do proceed with the refurb, it would be good if you could post the before and after photo's on the forum. It may inspire others to follow your lead.

regards Stewie;

[Stewie Simpson]

I like these threads on your newly found stones/ boxes Stewie. Thanks.

Thanks Jim; I had some reservations that the content of those threads would not draw much appreciation.

Stewie;