Given that the cutting conditions are set by the angles ground on the tool the whole proposition seems incredibly unlikely unless the straight tools were incorrectly shaped. I suppose a cranked tool is marginally less stiff than its straight counterpart due to the sideways overhang of the business end relative to the shank so a spring tool effect is possible. But if that variation is enough to make a consistent difference something is very wrong with the set-up. Whether by engineering, application or implementation.

My experience with this sort of logical till you think about it "works for me" processes is that the whole thing falls apart when you go back to first principles and do the job properly Doing it properly also gives rather better results than the evolved trick.

Clive

Geoff, watch it when pruning roses. While I was training as a nurse we had a couple of people in with Tetnus that was got from rose scratches. And I,v got a viral infection that I picked up a couple of weeks ago in the garden. Bl**dy gardens.

Ian S C

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Just a thought: Were they actually referring to the "Swan Neck" style of tool or toolholder, rather than what we now describe as "cranked" ? … Those "Spring Tools" were renowned for sweet cutting.

MichaelG.

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O.K. Geoff, if you insist …

Back in the mid 1970s, I worked with a chap whose father had stood on a particularly vicious Rose Thorn, whilst working in the garden.

It went through his shoe and pierced his foot.

Tetnus and Gangrene set in, and his foot was amputated: They obviously didn't catch all of the infection because later his leg was amputated at the knee; and later still, at the hip. [no Rose pun intended]

MichaelG.

Tetanus is very nasty indeed! If you have not already done so, see you doctor about a anti tetanus injection. One injection every 10 years or so. If you are a gardener or work on the land it's particularly important to get this done because the bug lives in soil.

I believe the old inserted tools referred to are the holders for rocker toolposts that held a bit of HSS or carbon steel.

Spring tools were used for finishing, these were formed with a loop, with a heavy cut, the cutting edge moved down, away from the work. They are often shown fitted upside down in old illustrations. Not so necessary with modern machines unless the feedscrew is worn, allowing the tool to be dragged into the cut.

Dave

Last time that I saw a swan necked tool being used was in the late 1960's. The tool shank was about 4 inches wide and 10 inches deep and around 5 feet long. It was used to rough out the grooves in a 6 feet dia forging for a rotor shaft in a steam turbine. Don't think I will ever need to remove that much metal in my garage

We may have them over here, but I've never come across them.

Neil

Hmm . . .

Just finished pruning the roses and spreading horse s**t on them. Must check my vaccination record.

Russell.

Hello all, regarding tetanus injections, I ended up at the hospital a couple of years back with a work related injury, asked the nurse about an injection,and within a few seconds, one in the arm, and never felt a thing. Brilliant !. If you havent had one for a few years, for peace of mind, nip in and get one.

It's a bacterium, not a virus.

Murray