Replies

1. 
   alias | May 13, 2003 03:53am | #1

   mack the sign of the shark is used in another present day swedish product - sandvik-. whether this has any connection?? i dont know. sandvik line includes scrapers, saw's, the knew hybrid japnese saws(cheap ) and also chisels more readily available in europe.20 years ago the quality of steel was premium. now it's still ok , but like everything else. ...... i like these mystery of old stuff , i'll be watchin' this post.. cheers.. bear

2. 
   lwilliams | May 13, 2003 04:48am | #2

   Mack,

   I've seen 'em at tool collectors' meets. I've never bought any but they sure have a good reputation. Berg chisels bring a premium price and it's not collectors that pay it; it's always knowledgeable woodworkers. While I prefer old chisels (gotta say that the prototype Lie-Nielsen I've been using is equal to or better than any of my old ones) most of those I use bring a turned up nose from those who hunt for the Berg chisels. Some day I'll find one at a decent price to play with.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/12/2003 9:50:01 PM ET by Larry Williams

1. 
   Mackwood | May 13, 2003 05:54am | #3

   Larry,

   Thanks for the reply!  I was really lucky at this sale.  I have a pretty good eye for "junk" and quality.  When I picked up the chisel it was really covered with crap but it had a good "heft" and a nice sound when I struck it.  When I wire brushed it and saw that it was made in Sweden, I was happy as I have one other chisel that has no brand, just the words "made in Sweden" on the back.  It is my very favorite one.  Now it turns out that the new one is not only Swedish but a stand out among the very good! 

   The cardboard box it came out of had some other items, a chisel handle ( which it turns out fits the Berg), a tiny caliper (goes to 2" or so) made by Starrett and some sort of revolution counter, also made by Starrett (pat. date of 1905) and a guard for doing molding on a Craftsman radial arm saw (in original box).  There were a couple of other small items as well for a total price of $4.00

   I should have bought a loto ticket!!!

   I'm curious if anyone knows about the "Berg" company.  I read on another site that they were out of business.  Do you know when the company was active? what else they made?

   Thanks again for the info!

   Mack

1. 
   yotonyb | May 13, 2003 07:12am | #4

   The first letter is an "e"...Eskilstuna...and I would guess that it's a tuna rather than a shark! But I could be wrong. A google search for Eskilstuna and frequent searches on eBay will yield more information. And I'm confident a few people on the forum will offer some more informed background on the E.A. Berg and Eskilstuna trademarks.

   Look closely at the blade...you should see a seam where the harder business end of the blade meets the softer shaft. I was lead to believe this was unique for its time (though perhaps I'm perpetuating a myth!).

   I have a couple of these which I scavanged from my dad's toolbox including a nice 2" butt chisel. All had been used to pry open paint cans, lever more than their share of wallboard and doors into place, and could still hold enough of an edge to hand tool the hinge mortises on a door and jamb. All still have their original handles...all date to the 1950's.

   Nice find! That chisel will last you yet another lifetime!

   tony b.

2. 
   eddiefromAustralia | May 13, 2003 07:51am | #5

   Hi Mack,

   Larry's right,  the Berg chisels really hold an edge and are of better quality than any modern western chisel, and alot of the others from the 1850's to 1950 period.

   Eskilstuna is a town about 60km west of Stockholm, where they were made.

   Keep it, use it.  You won't be disappointed.

   eddie

   (who's gradually reverting back to a working set of Berg chisels from an eBay 'bargain' set of quality chisels that don't really hold their edge)