Here is a batch of 10 heavy duty woodcarving gouges, forged from old bill hooks. I finally managed to temper them, to my satisfaction at least, using a little enamelling oven. First I tried oxyacetylene, but that was patchy and too fast, then I tried a tray of hot sand, but it did not seem to retain sufficient heat away from the fire, where it was impossible for me to discern the colours.
The handles were turned from table legs, mostly.
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