Hand-Forged Hand Tools from BUFFALO TOOL FORGE
Slicks |
Flarens |
Mallets |
Adzes and Axes |
Draw Knives |
Framing & Bench Chisels |
Corner & Swan Chisels |
Shovel Gouges |
Power Gouges |
Belgian Sharpening Stones |
Forging vs machine made.
Forging is one of the oldest known metalworking processes. Forging produces tools that are stronger than an equivalent machined part.
Traditionally, forging was performed by a smith using hammer and anvil, and though the use of water power in the production and working of iron dates to the 12th century, the hammer and anvil are not obsolete. The smithy or forge that were producing framing tools, in virtually every town, became obsolete in the late 19th century. It has now evolved to become a facility with engineered processes, production equipment, tooling, raw materials and products to meet the demands of modern customers.
In the case of hot-forging our new framing chisel-sets, a high-temperature furnace (sometimes referred to as the forge) is required to heat billets (round stock).
A hammer strikes and forms the workpiece, allowing it to flow along the outlines of a set of different open-dies. As the metal is shaped during the forging process, its internal grains form and align to follow the general shape of the part. As a result, the grain is continuous throughout the part, giving rise to a work piece with improved strength characteristics.
Our brand: Buffalo Tool Forge specializes in crafting traditional and newly designed hand-forged tools for timber framing, wood working, and log building.
During the last 8 years, we have built a following among the timber trade, and are now processing nearly three tons of steel per year. We are proud to say that most of our tools have been developed in consultation with our experienced customers/craftsmen. These tools include specialty tools for log builders, originally made by Leonard Lassiter, a well known tool maker from British Columbia, now retired. Here we co-operate with Maurice Gardy at Magard Ventures, from whom you can purchase many of these tools.
Top Quality
Our tools are forged from a very special carbon tool steel. This steel is especially tough and resilient, with a service life similar to that of a truck spring.
The tools are heat treated several times, and finished with a space-age tempering process which gives the edges additional service life.
Despite their long-lasting edge, these steel tools are easy to hone despite their hardness of 59-60 Rockwell. They are not impossible to sharpen as they are not as hard and brittle, as Japanese chisels often are. These tools are ideally suited for the hard and soft woods of American and European timbers.
The tools are delivered polished, sharpened and honed.
Tip guards and holsters
Protect your investment with a high-quality, handcrafted leather guard made of saddle-grade leather which is stitched and riveted. Available for framing and bench chisels, slicks and draw knives. Tip guards for slicks and chisels come with ABS plastic backing inserts.
Handles and ferrules
The ferrules above show one in
stainless steel (left), one heat-treated and quenched in linseed oil
to give a rust-resistant black patina (middle) and an ordinary ferrule
that has rusted. What would a good chisel be without a matching handle? Our handles are turned from seasoned, dry hard wood: primarily American hickory, but also ash, oak, on custom or bespoke made to order. They offer an ergonomic, palm of your hand sized grip and are treated with all "natural ingredient" LAND ARK wood finish. The ferrule is cambered slightly to fit snugly just below the neck to hold the wood together under the blows of a mallet.
The chisels are delivered with an American style, 5" handle. An optional handle is available: American handle long (7").
Slicks |
Flarens |
Mallets |
Adzes and Axes |
Draw Knives |
Framing & Bench Chisels |
Corner & Swan Chisels |
Shovel Gouges |
Power Gouges |
Belgian Sharpening Stones |

