[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]
58/162
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
This is a stonemason's claw tool for use on very abrasive stone where an ordinary chisel or bolster would soon wear out. It consists of an iron shank with a slot into which a toothed blade is inserted - when the teeth wear out, the blade can be removed and replaced. This claw tool is stamped '654' and 'axo paten', and has a blade 1.6 inches wide. It is one of a collection of stonemasonry tools used by Mr Ben Hingston, a London stonemason who stopped working in the practical side of the trade in 1958.
[nb-NO]Physical description[nb-NO]
1 claw tool: iron
[nb-NO]Archival history[nb-NO]
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘On highly abrasive stone, chisels and bolsters would soon wear out with constant use and, as an alternative, the claw tool was patented by the well-known Glasgow tool manufacturers, Fauls [Faulds]. This consists of an iron shank, similar in shape to the bolster, but, instead of having a blade, it has a slot on its lower surface. A blade, consists of a number of teeth can be inserted into this slot, and when the teeth wear out the blade is thrown away. This tool, which is stamped ‘654’ and ‘axo paten’, measures 7.9” long and has a blade 1.6” wide.’, MERL ‘Associated information’ form – ‘All the tools in this collection were used by Mr Hingston, a 45 year old (approx [in] 1958) mason. Many of them he obtained from other craftsmen and many he bought new. A mason very rarely possesses all the tools that he requires, for borrowing from a fellow worker is a common practice in the trade. There are 3 categories of tools in this collection. (1) Those used for hard stone, e.g. Portland (2) Marble tools (3) Soft stone (eg. Bath & Caen) stone. // In addition a craftsman usually carries all kinds of odd pieces of iron, of carborundum, blocks of wood which may be useful to him. // Hingston is now employed on the costing side of the trade (passed City & Guilds exam) & has ceased to be a practising craftsman. He has worked in these[?] counties[?] – Abingdon, Eton College Chapel, Windsor & marble works in Lambeth.’, Letter, Ben Hingston to MERL, 7 August 1958 – ‘… I have a fairly comprehensive kit of Stone Mason’s tools which I do not expect to use again, and if by chance you want them I shall be pleased to hear from you. // I have been a stone mason for some years but having just passed my Higher National Certificate I have got a much better job in a professional office. I could sell my tools, or give them away, or keep them. In fact I have parted with a few of the more unusual ones to three apprentices, and in the course of time the whole lot will just disperse. // There is a large set of Portland stone tools, a small but adequate set of Soft stone tools, a few Hard stone tools, a small set of carving a latter-cutting tools, a complete marble polishing kit, and some of the stone fixing tools; also sundry oddments, like a Mosaic hammer, and an old Saw-setting hammer. The tools are all genuine, and mainly contemporary…’
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]External document[nb-NO]
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3172.tif - High resolution image