S. J. Addis Wood Carving Gouges

by Stable MARK

Explore the technical diversity and precision of S. J. Addis wood carving gouges through these original mid-century catalog plates from Sheffield.

A detailed 1900 wood engraving showing an open wooden chest containing twelve woodcarving tools with maple handles, including various sweeps of gouges and chisels, alongside a sharpening stone and a manual titled The Arts of Wood Carving. — A professional set of S. J. Addis’ London carving tools, featuring twelve handled chisels and gouges in a fitted wooden case, as presented in the 1900 Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co. catalog.
Source: Wood Carvers' Tools, Etc. by Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co 1900, Internet Archive - public domain.

This 1961 catalog documents the specialized wood carving gouges that defined Sheffield's tool-making peak. Although the company no longer exists, these profiles remain the global standard for quality and craftsmanship among collectors and artisans.

Table of Contents

S. J. Addis Straight Wood Carving Gouges S. J. Addis Curved Wood Carving Gouges S. J. Addis Front Bent Spoon Bit Gouges S. J. Addis Back Bent Spoon Bit Gouges S. J. Addis Fish Tail and Long Pod Spade Gouges

S. J. Addis Straight Wood Carving Gouges

A vintage technical catalog page for wood carving tools. At the top, a single straight gouge with a polished steel blade and a yellow wooden handle is shown. Below it are ten line drawings showing the cross-section curvature of different gouge patterns, followed by a detailed table of prices for unhandled and handled tools. — Image: A 1961 catalog page illustrating a variety of straight woodcarving gouges, showing the specific "sweep" or curvature for patterns No. 2½ through 11, accompanied by a vintage price list in shillings and pence.
Source: Catalogue of S. J. Addis Wood Carving Tools: Revised 1961 Edition by Ward & Payne Ltd. Internet Archive.

This 1961 catalog represents one of the final eras of the prestigious S. J. Addis brand, which was once the gold standard for professional woodcarvers worldwide. The "Pattern Numbers" (such as No. 11 for a deep veiner or No. 3 for a shallow sweep) became an industry standard that many modern toolmakers still reference today. Interestingly, the prices are listed in the pre-decimal British currency of shillings and pence (e.g., 9/6), a system that disappeared shortly after this catalog was printed.

S. J. Addis Curved Wood Carving Gouges

A technical catalog page showing various woodcarving curved gouges. At the top is a single tool with a polished blade and a yellow-toned wooden handle. Below, ten different curved tool patterns are illustrated next to their sweep profiles, ranging from shallow to deep U-shapes, accompanied by a detailed pricing table. — Image: A mid-century catalog page for S. J. Addis woodcarving tools, displaying a series of ten curved gouges (Patterns No. 12 to 20) with their corresponding cutting profiles and a price list for unhandled or handled versions in ash, beech, or boxwood.
Source: Catalogue of S. J. Addis Wood Carving Tools: Revised 1961 Edition by Ward & Payne Ltd. Internet Archive.

The catalog features professional-grade curved or double bent gouges specifically designed for reaching recessed areas and deep hollows in woodcarving. Patterns No. 12 through 20 provide a wide variety of sweeps, ranging from nearly flat profiles to deep U-shaped gouges, available in widths from 3 mm to 38 mm.

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S. J. Addis Front Bent Spoon Bit Gouges

Image: A specialized page from a 1961 workshop catalog illustrating "Front Bent Spoon Bit Gouges," featuring nine distinct tool profiles (Patterns No. 24 to 32) designed for deep hollowing and intricate architectural carving.
Source: Catalogue of S. J. Addis Wood Carving Tools : Revised 1961 Edition by Ward & Payne Ltd. Internet Archive.

The "Front Bent" or "Spoon Bit" gouges shown here represent the pinnacle of specialized Sheffield toolmaking from the mid-20th century. Unlike straight gouges, these tools feature a distinct curve at the end of the shaft, allowing a carver to reach into deep recesses or undercuts that a straight tool would simply hit. Patterns No. 24 through 32 range from very shallow curves to deep, steep-sided "V" or "U" shapes. While this specific catalog dates to 1961, the manufacturer has long since closed its doors, making these original Sheffield-forged pieces highly prized "heirloom" tools among modern woodworkers who value the superior temper of mid-century high-carbon steel.

S. J. Addis Back Bent Spoon Bit Gouges

A technical catalog sheet showing six profiles of woodcarving tools called back bent spoon bit gouges. Each entry includes a line drawing of the blade's curvature and a side view showing the distinctive backward curve of the metal neck. A detailed pricing table at the bottom lists costs based on tool width and handle material. — Image: A vintage 1961 catalog page illustrating "Back Bent Spoon Bit Gouges" (Patterns No. 33 to 38) with their respective cutting sweeps and a price list for unhandled or handled options in various wood types.
Source: Catalogue of S. J. Addis Wood Carving Tools : Revised 1961 Edition by Ward & Payne Ltd. Internet Archive.

The "Back Bent" or "Long Bent" spoon bit gouges depicted here represent a highly specialized category of carving tools from the mid-century Sheffield era. Unlike standard front-bent tools, these are designed with the bevel on the opposite side, allowing the carver to work on convex surfaces or deep, rounded recesses from a different angle of attack. Patterns No. 33 through 38 provided a range of sweeps for intricate sculptural work. As this manufacturer is no longer in existence, these catalog records are the primary way modern collectors identify "new old stock" or vintage tools, which are still revered for the exceptional edge-holding properties of their high-carbon steel.

S. J. Addis Fish Tail and Long Pod Spade Gouges

A vintage technical illustration of two specialized woodcarving tools. The top tool, a Fish Tail Spade Gouge, features a blade that flares out significantly at the cutting edge. The bottom tool, a Long Pod Spade Gouge, has a more gradual taper toward a wide edge. Both are shown as unhandled steel blades with sharp tangs and integral bolsters. — Image: A specialized section from a 1961 woodworking catalog displaying Pattern No. 54, the Fish Tail Spade Gouge, and Pattern No. 56, the Long Pod Spade Gouge, showing the unique flared and tapered blade geometries.
Source: Catalogue of S. J. Addis Wood Carving Tools : Revised 1961 Edition by Ward & Payne Ltd. Internet Archive.

The Fish Tail (Pattern No. 54) and Long Pod (Pattern No. 56) spade gouges are essential for delicate finishing work where a standard heavy-bodied tool might obstruct the carver’s view or fail to reach tight corners. The "Fish Tail" design is particularly prized for its ability to undercut and clean out background areas in relief carving, as the flared edge is wider than the shaft behind it. Produced in Sheffield during the final era of this legendary brand, these tools were forged from high-carbon steel designed to hold a razor edge. Because the original manufacturer is no longer in business, these specific spade patterns are rare finds on the secondary market and are considered precision instruments by modern professional carvers.

The S. J. Addis catalog from 1961 stands as a final testament to the specialized craftsmanship of Sheffield’s tool-making heritage. From standard straight gouges to highly specific spoon bits and spade tools, these designs provided woodcarvers with the precision necessary for the most complex architectural and artistic tasks. Though the company is no longer in operation, the enduring quality of its high-carbon steel ensures that these tools remain indispensable for researchers and collectors of vintage craftsmanship.

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