Results 1 to 15 of 26

Thread: Best old chisel makers?

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Western Nebraska
    Posts
    4,680

    Best old chisel makers?

    I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find the thread. How would you rank these old makers for steel quality? Barton, Swan, Berg, Witherby (Winsted Edge Tool), Greenlee, Shapleigh, Stanley Everlast, and Stanley sockets.

    The reason I ask, is that I have several of each of those brands, a full set of Bergs, and a bunch of others that are good enough for opening a paint bucket, or loaning to my wife. I have the Bergs ground at 22.5 degrees, which works well for paring, but I'm toying with the idea of accumulating a full set of one of the other makers to grind at 30 degrees for chopping. Right now, I have several favorites in that group that I do that with. Basically, it's probably a subliminal excuse to buy more old chisels, but...

    So, what do you think is the best old chisel brand?

  2. #2
    I have a full set of Swan and a full set of Witherby (and a few of other brands). Both are good but not better than good quality modern chisels. Probably not as good as LN or Blue Spruce chisels.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Western Nebraska
    Posts
    4,680
    That brings up an interesting side idea Mike. I was sharpening last night with a Tormek, and the noticed that the Bergs took an edge a heck of a lot quicker then the newer Record 73 blade that I tried. Are the older tools as good as the new stuff?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Williamsburg,Va.
    Posts
    12,402
    T.H.Witherby,Swan,Greenlee,and Barton are old brands I know are good. The Bergs,and Shark brands of Swedish chisels I have used have tended to be a bit soft.

    I have a lot of old carving tools,and several sets of chisels,but not the old Stanleys,so I can't comment about them. We used the Stanley Everlast in the school shop where I first taught in 1963. It's been so long I can't recall how they were.

    All the good old brands can have variations in their tempering,though. I've had to re temper several good old framing chisels that the housewrights have picked up on their own. On one,the steel bit separated from the rest of the chisel at the cutting edge,and had to be ground back some. Quality control was a bit iffy back then. It all depended upon personal skill of the men who made them,and no doubt they got tired and inattentive at times. I've seen them be too soft,so that the cutting edge rolled back like a fish hook,too hard,so the edge chipped,and seen welds separate as said. They were fine after I re hardened and tempered them,so it wasn't the basic quality of the metal.
    Last edited by george wilson; 08-22-2009 at 11:06 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Longview WA
    Posts
    27,347
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Rozmiarek View Post
    I know this has been discussed before, but I can't find the thread. How would you rank these old makers for steel quality? Barton, Swan, Berg, Witherby (Winsted Edge Tool), Greenlee, Shapleigh, Stanley Everlast, and Stanley sockets.

    The reason I ask, is that I have several of each of those brands, a full set of Bergs, and a bunch of others that are good enough for opening a paint bucket, or loaning to my wife. I have the Bergs ground at 22.5 degrees, which works well for paring, but I'm toying with the idea of accumulating a full set of one of the other makers to grind at 30 degrees for chopping. Right now, I have several favorites in that group that I do that with. Basically, it's probably a subliminal excuse to buy more old chisels, but...

    So, what do you think is the best old chisel brand?
    Many of the old brands are fine tools. My philosophy is to have different chisels for different needs.

    Like you, the chisels that come my way that do not suit my shop needs are set aside for "loaners" or when doing a job using scrap wood that may have hidden tool wreckers within. They can also be used to make skew chisels or other designs that are being considered to see if that special grind will actually help before putting out the big bucks. Also, they can be driven into a beam and used to hang your jacket.

    For paring and fine work, the Buck Brothers are nice because of the low profile of the beveling.

    For something that is going to be driven by a mallet, a few other thoughts come to mind. For light tapping, my choice is the Whitherby bevel edge chisel.

    For heavier hitting from the a mallet, a square sided chisel is preferred. My accumulation consists of quite a few different makers of this type chisel; Swan, Buck, Whitherby and others.

    If you are going to really get behind the mallet when hitting chisels, then you want some heavier framing chisels or even mortise chisels.

    Of course, for limited usage, one can cut a mortise with a paring chisel. Over time, it will not be good for the chisel.

    One would likely be very frustrated trying to pare dovetails with a mortise or firmer chisel, but it might be possible.

    jim
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Belden, Mississippi
    Posts
    2,742
    I have collected a bunch old W. Butcher items. Chisels, tennon saw, etc. I find them a joy to use, and they are super easy to hone. Cast steel with a "tang" configuration. Wish I knew more about the maker 'cause they have been a real plus to my neander tool box(s).
    Bill
    On the other hand, I still have five fingers.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Williamsburg,Va.
    Posts
    12,402
    Butcher is a common old brand to find in flea markets,at least in the East. They are good tools.

  8. #8
    Over the years I have accumulated Swan, Witherby, Buck, Stanley and D R Barton.
    There is almost nothing to separate them. I have found that the D R Bartons that I have had, take and hold a fine edge longer than the others. And in my case I did not think as highly of the Bucks.
    Now it just might have been my chisels, but I will not part with Bartons again. I made the mistake of selling one earlier on, because I had a Witherby in the same size. I have always regretted this.
    Cheers
    MC
    Last edited by Martin Cash; 08-22-2009 at 5:49 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Brooklyn, NYC
    Posts
    510

    Old Chisels

    The best edge retention and the ease of sharpening I have found on old chisels was a W. Butcher. Unfortunately it was stolen. I keep my eye peeled for those.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Williamsburg,Va.
    Posts
    12,402
    The individual chisels by the same old makers can vary quite a bit in hardness,edge holding,etc.. I had to reharden and temper a number of them.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Chevy Chase, Maryland
    Posts
    2,484
    That's my experience too, George. I've had some chisels that were gems and a couple here or there that were softees or brittle - even from the same maker. That said, I love my Swans:


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Western Nebraska
    Posts
    4,680
    George, is it fair to say that the modern makers have a more consistant product, but that some of the old tools can be just as good?

    For the record, my favorite chisel is a Barton firmer. 1 1/2", and it gets used for most of the oddball stuff that comes up. Jim, I chose the Bergs for the exact same reason that you mentioned with the Buck Brothers being good for paring.

    Anyone got an opinion on Winsted Edge Tool Works? I know they bought Witherby, and I have one that seems really good. The other two on the other hand, just look like a pretty blah. Bad stamp, the steel looks too shiney, and they balance funny. Maybe skews would be a good idea from them.

    Harlan, I have a Butcher slick, but no chisels. Maybe I ought to sharpen it up and see if I like that steel.

    Anyone know anything about a company that might have made a mortise chisel stamped Goldenberg Acier Fondu? Seems like good steel, and a heck of a lot better balanced than a Two Cherries.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •