Nicholsen Chisels

[Brent Ring]

Hey - I just wondered. A local 'borg-alike' hasa set of 5 piece set of Nicholsen Chisels for less than $10. Are these things any good, or should I look at other ones. What info should I look at ?

[Jim Koepke]

Hey - I just wondered. A local 'borg-alike' hasa set of 5 piece set of Nicholsen Chisels for less than $10. Are these things any good, or should I look at other ones. What info should I look at ?

IMHO, they are likely junk. That said, everyone might want a set of beaters. Those are the chisels you have on hand for when the neighbor or friend comes by to borrow a tool. There are also times when one needs to do a job that needs doing and you may not want to sacrifice a high quality tool.

There are a few of these in my collection. Most of them cost less than a dollar to acquire.

Besides, with modern manufacturing these may be serviceable. Someone here at the creek has suggested hardening them yourself if they need it.

Besides, if they do hold an edge, as time passes you may want to grind these to different shapes to see if you like a skew chisel before putting out the big buck$.

jim

“If you need a machine today and don’t buy it,
tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it.”
- Henry Ford