I Need Chisels!

[David Weaver]

Hi folks -

I am trying to get some sets of chisels to do hand work. I realized that I have a lot of planes (which are maybe more fun to collect), but aside from one LN mortise chisel, my regular bench chisels are Stanley FatMax (they were a gift), which all in all, aren't too bad, but they come with tool marks galore.

I need to come across something that would make a good set of paring chisels, and I'll leave the microbevel on the stanley chisels at 35 degrees so that they can be used for more blunt work.

I also am learning that I need to get a couple of skew chisels to clean out things that aren't square, like half blind dovetail pockets.

Does anyone have any recommendations? If money were no object, I'd just go get a full set of LN bench chisels, and get two pairs of their paring chisels, too, but I'm constrained a little more than that and would be satisfied with something vintage/used (that's not rare) or on par with two cherries.

I guess what I'm asking is does anyone know of any bargain good performers in terms of bench chisels and skew chisels?

If I can't find anything, I'll just wait until I can bear to buy the LN chisels - but I've bought one too many big ticket items lately.

Any ideas?

[Mike K Wenzloff]

Hi David,

LN doesn't make paring chisels. They make additional longer handles for making paring with the bench chisels "easier."

Traditional paring chisels are quite long. Rather than go the vintage route when I had to replace my paring chisels, I chose to get the Sorby paring chisels. While they are fine, if I would get them today it would be the Henry Taylors:
http://www.thebestthings.com/newtool...lor_paring.htm

I like the steel better in the HT brand, at least the smaller in and out cannel gouges I have of the HT brand. But my Sorby ones will out last my lifetime and they are perfectly servicable.

If by "paring chisel" you want a bench chisel ground with a lower bevel angle than the bench chisel, I would consider picking up the Ashley Iles and grinding the bevel desire on them. I would also get the London Pattern handles, but that's my preference. You can see them at The Best Things as well.

If your paring is for DTs and the like, you cannot go wrong with the Blue Spruce, who also has skewed version, hold an edge extremely well and are wonderfully balanced in the hand.

Take care, Mike

[David Weaver]

Mike - you caught me. I was thinking of the sets of skew chisels when I mentioned the LN (and said paring), and you're right about what I plan to do with a set of chisels (though I wouldn't do that to LN's chisels) if I don't get actual paring chisels - i would grind them to something between 20 and 25 degrees and use them only for paring.

I'd really like to have a set of Stanley 750s, but I don't have the patience to put a set together, and the full matched sets are out of this world in price. I understand there is more variability in the quality of steel in stanley's chisels than there is in a lot of modern chisels, so I could end up being disappointed with those.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll go take a look.

[Fred Gross]

I am not too big on buying "sets" of chisels. I had a starter of the blue handled type when I first started ww, but after awhile I noticed I was routinely reaching for only 2 or 3 of the set. A nice matched set looks nice in the toolbox, but you can get more bang for your buck buying individual sizes of various types (skew/paring/dovetail/etc...).

[Ken Werner]

I have a couple of skew chisels that I ground from 2 different 1/2" chisels. Cheap and effective. Unfortunately, assembling a set of chisels can be very time consuming and expensive on the auctions. Mike W. gave you some good advice. But I'd also consider buying the LNs as you can. For what the Stanley 750s go for, you can have a reliable superb set of new chisels. Before you buy a set, try to hold them in your hand. I have heard good things about the Ashley Iles, but when I finally held them, I didn't like the look or feel - just personal taste - no criticism. When I felt the LNs, they felt and looked great.
Ken

[Jim Becker]

I'm quite happy with my Ashley Iles bench chisels from ToolsForWorkingWood.com.

[Doug Shepard]

LV has a low cost set of skews that I've been satisfied with
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...504,41539&ap=1
I'm sure they're not as nice as some of the others mentioned, but they've worked well for me.

[Andrew Williams]

I have the Iroyoi 5-chisel set from LV. The edges stay sharper longer than anything else I have ever used.

[Eddie Darby]

I have the Iroyoi 5-chisel set from LV. The edges stay sharper longer than anything else I have ever used.

Can you tell us what other chisels you have used?

Have you used for instance the LN chisels?

Thanks

[Andrew Williams]

Have not used the LN chisels. I don't have a lot of chisels, mainly Stanleys and an Iles mortise chisel in addition to the japanese ones. I have lots of planes though and the japanese chisels stay sharper longer than even the A2 stuff in my experience.

Can you tell us what other chisels you have used?

Have you used for instance the LN chisels?

Thanks

[Mike Henderson]

Have not used the LN chisels. I don't have a lot of chisels, mainly Stanleys and an Iles mortise chisel in addition to the japanese ones. I have lots of planes though and the japanese chisels stay sharper longer than even the A2 stuff in my experience.

In my opinion, Andrew is correct. The Japanese chisels use a laminated piece of steel for the edge which is hardened more than Western chisels. The harder the steel, the longer it will hold an edge. But you pay for that hardness with brittleness - the steel chips rather then bends. Western chisels are not as hard but are tougher - they deform rather than chipping.

Some people like hard chisels and some people prefer tough chisels. Neither is "better" - it's all in what you like.

Mike

[David Weaver]

Doug - thanks for pointing out the LV site. I had forgotten about it, and I ended up getting one 1/4" japanese dovetail chisel and their pair of 1/2" skew chisels - the ones made of O1 steel, which is presumably around 60 hardness.

[Tom Henry]

I'm quite happy with my Ashley Iles bench chisels from ToolsForWorkingWood.com.

Jim-

I also have the Iles chisels and they are great. But I just noticed that they are cheeper at thebestthings.com

[Jim Becker]

I also have the Iles chisels and they are great. But I just noticed that they are cheeper at thebestthings.com

There are always opportunities to source tools at various places. Joel has been very good to me on my chisel purchase, including a recent replacement of the 3/4" chisel when the ferrule disintegrated. When I need something "Neander", I tend to look to him first for that reason. The other vendors may be just as customer service oriented...I don't know them.

[Mike K Wenzloff]

Hi David--for skews not used with a mallet or hammer, the Blue Spruce are tops for use in joinery. Made the same as Dave's detail chisels, so the edges drop down finer than most any other chisel:





And like Fred says, for this a set is unnecessary. I use 1/4" the most and so that is what the one above is.

As for bench, do check the AI chisels. Several members here have them and will most likely pipe up and recommend them when they find this thread.

Take care, Mike