I'm in the market for my first set of quality chisels and wanted to get some advice from the more experienced folks here before I dropped the money. I mostly will be using these for dovetails, as I've got a mortiser and a couple sets of beater chisels for mortising and brute force work. So, that being said, do I want to be buying a set specifically called "dovetail chisels" (see a lot of japanese sets labeled as such)? I don't see any practical difference between these and a standard set of bevel edge chisels, am I missing something? (referring only to their capabilities in use, not differences in sharpening).
Assuming bevel-edge is fine, I'm having trouble finding a lot of options. Basic criteria are: high quality, bevel-edge, socket-type handle. I've found LN and Barr, but I'm not finding any other makers, any recommendations?
Are skew chisels worth it? In the basic work I've done so far it seems like they would be, but I've never used one.
Hooped handles seem like a great idea but if that's a requirement it further limits my choice. What are the positives and negatives of hooped handles in all around/long term use? I realize they stand up better to a hammer, but are they more of a pain to use for pairing (hard on hands?), do well-made unhooped handles have a problem with cracking if used with a wooden mallet?
Lastly, and probably a stupid question, if you're not gluing the handle to the socket, do socket chisels ever slip off the handle or is friction good enough to tightly hold them? If a $50 chisel fell off it's handle and landed on my concrete floor I think I would want to break something.
Thanks for reading all the way through this, I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
Andy