Great responses, but .....
Alan: Thanks for the suggestions regarding older Witherby and Buck Brothers tools. Basically, if I had found a mortise (or even a firmer) chisel of any make or vintage, I would have bought it. Nothing is showing up at my old tool haunts. I’m with you, I’d actually prefer an older tool, but I’m pessimistic about finding anything in the near future. I want to chop mortises, not drive across state lines. Besides, if I find a seller of old mortise chisels, I bet they'll also have a nice tenon saw. And a plough plane or a Bedrock smoother. Maybe a set of Millers Falls carving tools ….. Mmmmm. Uggghhh. Old tools. Doh!
Lloyd: Thanks for the link to Jim Wilson’s chisels. I read somewhere (maybe BP) a while back that his tools were held in very high regard, but that he had ceased production. Good to see him rejoining this ‘Second Golden Age of Hand tools’ as Dave Anderson put it. You had me going there for a minute until I realized the prices didn’t include the handles.
Scott: Your point about the 1/3-1/3-1/3 rule is well taken. Looks like 1/4” should be at the top of my list. Thanks.
Matt: As per Dave’s follow up, it's been my understanding that mortise chisels are sold under the Hirsch label, I’ve just never found a source to buy them.
Pete: Now I’ve heard horror stories of using chisels for screwdrivers, but this is the first I’ve heard of it the other way around. Except for really deep mortises, I wonder how much better a modified screwdriver would be than a ¼” bevel chisel. In any case, I want to see what the real McCoy does for my mortising technique, so I’m determined to get a real mortise chisel.
Well, let me repose my original question: Does *anybody* out there use new mortise chisels? Or is it that everyone but me knows the secret password to utter at flea markets and antique malls that opens a hidden door to the mortise chisel room?