My first eBay find, W. H. Clay combination scribe
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Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Tools and Tool Maintenance/Restoration / My first eBay find, W. H. Clay combination scribe
New to the masterclass, just getting started acquiring some basic tools.
First eBay find was a W. H. Clay (Sheffield) combination scribe.
Don’t know much about the brand other than it seemed to be founded in the early 1900’s I think?
Nice sharp points and functional, very happy with it.
Not sure if I should leave it in it’s current state or strip it back and re-coat?
A bit of info here:
http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2015/04/vanished-tool-makers-paramo-tools-wh.html
William Henry Clay started the company around 1900. By 1902 they were in the Grace guide. Made all kinds of woodworking tools.
During WWII they took over production of Record vices when the Record factory burned.
In 1978 they were bought out by Parramore, also of Sheffield, which went into receivership by the early 80’s, which explains why the vices stopped produced in Sheffield.
Nice find. If you plan on keeping it, I’d suggest giving it new life and your own patina.
It appears to be in very good shape in overall appearances. Also looks like it should work like it was manufactured to. That said, I would leave it like it is, use it like it is. I’m not into Trophy Tools but functional tools but thin that is me. It is your marking gauge whatever you decide is the right decision.
And welcome to the habit of acquiring senior citizen tools put out to pasture before their due time.
Thank you gentlemen. Hoping it gets a lot more use in the years ahead.