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Post by jalvis on Feb 3, 2014 11:26:45 GMT -5
Barr tools are great. They're located in McCall just two hours from me. In fact I will be taking four days off in McCall this week. The interesting thing about Barr is that they were making specialty crafted tools before everyone was excited about this stuff. A lot more competition now.
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Post by 7 on Feb 3, 2014 23:06:16 GMT -5
I called Barr tools today and ordered a set. They were nice enough to make a 1 1/4" chisel which isn't listed on their filler sizes as being available and are going to get the "leather guy" to custom sew the tool roll to fit my order. Very impressed. I haven't been particularly nice to the one Barr bench chisel that i already have and haven't noticed it dull even a little bit.
I love to support companies like theirs.
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Post by garch on Feb 5, 2014 21:20:33 GMT -5
Good to know, thanks for the additional information. I am only familiar with the lie-nielsens and blue spruce from reading. Do you have the corner chisel? If yes what are your opinions- Useful, must have, could do everything without?? Glad you mentioned the quality of the leather tool roll also. May be odd but that is a big selling point for me. Never really had a need for the corner chisel, although I'm sure Barr's chisel is awesome. The only use for one may be possibly for mortises, but for that I've always used my LS103 or my powermatic hollow chisel mortiser. If you're not cutting a lot of mortises for a timber frame with a drill and chisels, probably not money well spent. Just my opinion. |
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Post by 7 on Feb 5, 2014 23:28:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the response. Makes sense- If you are cutting a lot of mortises then a machine would easily be justified- if you aren't cutting a lot of them then many methods work well.
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Post by garch on Jan 5, 2015 22:48:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the response. Makes sense- If you are cutting a lot of mortises then a machine would easily be justified- if you aren't cutting a lot of them then many methods work well. Well, have you had a chance to use your Barr chisels? Curious of your thoughts. |
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 13, 2015 19:13:47 GMT -5
Garch,
I've had a set of Barr chisels for several years, got them for dovetailing and general bench work. Good steel-They take a nice edge and hold it well. Unfortunately I found them somewhat clunky and the handle uncomfortable for paring so I got some LN which I prefer. A very personal thing I realize. If you're considering a set, maybe order one to see how you like them.
John
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Post by garch on Jan 14, 2015 20:45:00 GMT -5
Garch, I've had a set of Barr chisels for several years, got them for dovetailing and general bench work. Good steel-They take a nice edge and hold it well. Unfortunately I found them somewhat clunky and the handle uncomfortable for paring so I got some LN which I prefer. A very personal thing I realize. If you're considering a set, maybe order one to see how you like them. John Yes I find I use different makers chisels for different purposes. I already have Barr's cabinet makers chisels and his timber framing chisels and slicks as well as Lie Nielsens which I typically rehandle with tulipwood, kingwood, bubinga, etc. I find the hornbeam a little too ordinary. With my Lie Nielsens I have duplicates which I grind and hone at differing angles for hardwood and softwood. So I use them for furniture grade dovetails mostly. I also have blue spruce paring chisels with african blackwood handles which are just plain awesome. All very nice. Almost forgot, I also have a set of two cherries which are nice also. I'll have to post a photo some day. As an aside, being this is an axe post, I have almost every offering from Gransfors Bruks and just got the small gutter adze today. I'll have to post a photo of the grouping one day. More cool tools. Thanks for the input John. |
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Post by jalvis on Jan 15, 2015 21:03:26 GMT -5
I've been considering some options for Forged axes.
Why did you go with Gransfors Bruks?
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 16, 2015 11:19:53 GMT -5
Garch,
Sorry for preaching to the choir.
Rehandling the LN- I'd like to do that, it makes finding different sizes much easier, plus, as you say the hornbeam is plain. I own two of the Blue Spruce fishtail chisels & a marking knife, they're great, I'd love to have a few of their parring chisels. Been using a set of the plastic handled Two Cherries for site work for several years, thinking I may try the Barrs instead.
I admired the Wetterlings at LN last summer, any reason you prefer Gransfor Bruks?
John
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Post by garch on Jan 18, 2015 21:42:22 GMT -5
Garch, Sorry for preaching to the choir. Rehandling the LN- I'd like to do that, it makes finding different sizes much easier, plus, as you say the hornbeam is plain. I own two of the Blue Spruce fishtail chisels & a marking knife, they're great, I'd love to have a few of their parring chisels. Been using a set of the plastic handled Two Cherries for site work for several years, thinking I may try the Barrs instead. I admired the Wetterlings at LN last summer, any reason you prefer Gransfor Bruks? John No need to be sorry, we don't know what's in each others tool kits. Gransfors is the best. Then there's Wetterlings, Mueller, Iltis Oxhead, etc. All depends on how much you are willing to spend. Gransfors fit, finish, quality, etc. are really hard to beat. They feel right in the hand and the form is perfect for what they are designed to do. Here's a photo of some of my Gransfors collection. I'll try to take a photo of all that I have and post that at some point. If you want an axe, froe, adze, splitting maul, etc. I highly recommend Gransfors. For sharpening: I use the Gransfors sandstone from Gotland Island for rougher sharpening then I use my slipstones from Dan's Whetstone in Pearcy Arkansas for final honing. Get a Gransfors, you'll enjoy it!  |
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Post by 7 on Jan 19, 2015 21:33:15 GMT -5
I have a Gransfors hatchet that I use for backpacking/ camping and very much like it.
I noticed in several posts above that garch asked how I am liking the Barr chisels. I like them a lot. As someone in general construction I haven't used any of the other names that many of you have but I am really happy with the Barr's. Not real hard to beat a stanley thru tang though.
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Post by jalvis on Jan 20, 2015 19:25:19 GMT -5
Thanks for your input regarding Gransfors. I'm looking for a splitting axe and general use. Thinking a double head would be a good choice since I can set for two cutting angles. Besides I've always wanted a double head after reading "alone in the wilderness" as a young boy. Looked at Autine and thought that would be a good choice as well.
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Post by garch on Jan 24, 2015 19:25:08 GMT -5
I had looked into the Autine once a good while back and saw a bad review on Youtube, maybe the wranglerstar channel. They do seem very nice though. Here's a picture of my complete collection.  |
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Post by GhostFist on Jan 24, 2015 20:17:52 GMT -5
I don't own any axes but watch the wranglestar vid. Nice saw too
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Post by jalvis on Jan 24, 2015 23:38:52 GMT -5
Nice looking group. I will have to do more research on Autine. Like the look of that splitting maul.
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