stone letter cutting tools

Quoted text begins.With respect ot removing the carbide, I have one correspondent
who swears by steel chisels without tungsten carbide. Says that
even though they don't wear as well they give him more control.
Any thoughts about that?
End of quote.

Tom,
I have a large number of old pneumatic hammer chisels that were just moments
from being thrown away. It was my lucky day! These old chisels are perfectly
designed for the job they do. Whenever I'm working on any marble or
limestone I use them with pleasure. The lettering chisels are drawn out and
thin so they almost slide through the stone , especially when you have put
an almost razor sharp edge on it. If you run across these old steel chisels,
snap them up and use them on marble. I think you will be pleased.

It hard to believe that plain steel tools were used for all the fine
lettering on marble and granite until the introduction of carbide tips. Now
I only use these tools on soft stone, and don't waste them on granite
because there are not any blacksmith around to resharpen and retemper dull
chisels.

Carbide chisels are fine tools that have pretty much taken over all the hard
stone cutting and carving, but there will always be a place for a good sharp
steel chisel in my box.

George Graham