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...).

[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

[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.

[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.

[David Weaver]

Mike - I saw pictures of those chisels shortly after they were recommended, and I'll admit - they're tool porn!

[Mike Henderson]

The only thing I use a skew chisel for is cleaning out the corners of half-blind dovetails. And for that application, they don't take a beating so any chisel will work. I purchased a couple of Irwin 1/4" chisels and ground a skew on them (left and right). They sell for less than $10 each in most places.

Regarding bench chisels, there are many very good brands of chisels out there. If you're buying your first set of chisels, and are on a budget, you can get excellent service from chisels that are quite a bit less expensive than the LNs. For example, LV sells the Hirsch brand, which is a re-branding of the Two Cherries chisels, for a decent price.

But if money is no object, the LN and Blue Spruce chisels are very nice.

Mike

[Derek Cohen]

Skew chisels are really easy, and satisfying, to make oneself. I have a few that I made to go with my Berg chisels, which are thin and light along the lines of a paring chisel.

Nevertheless I did weaken and buy a couple of African Blackwood Blue Spruce skews when I built up a set of the dovetail chisels (1/8" - 1/2" with a custom 3/4"), seen below:



My favourite skew chisel, nevertheless, is a fishtail (for cleaning half-blind dovetails) I made out of a derelict 3/8" lying about. This has a Tasmanian Blackwood handle:



I can highly recommend the BS chisels. As Mike says, they have a wonderful balance. These are reserved for dovetailing.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[David Weaver]

Derek - that's a fine looking lineup.

I will be the first to admit that I like my tools to look nice, even though I know that it doesn't have any effect on their performance in a lot of cases.

At this point, the Blue Spruce is a bit salty for me, but the day will come when my minimum needs are met and I start to purchase tools "i don't need".

[David Weaver]

Thanks for the help and recommendations, guys. I added a set of Hirsch bench chisels from LV this morning - after reading a bunch of reviews - to go along with the skews and the japanese dovetail chisel I ordered yesterday.

Seems like lots don't like the handles on them, but I don't have big gorilla paws, so the handles should be OK for me.

I should have enough now that I can get by until I see what I like in person somewhere for a "deal" (though there never seem to be any real "deals" on the good stuff).