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Post by lincoln on Jan 24, 2015 21:29:13 GMT -5
After deciding that the DD40 G was plenty big enough for my requirements, I have 'saved' a few hundred dollars by not getting the P, and would like to invest that saving in some quality bench chisels. The three contenders so far are Barr, Blue Spruce and Veritas. Veritas are probably out because they only go up to 25mm - though they are the only ones I can buy locally. I enquired about the availability of Barr, and whether they would ship to Australia - they replied to my first email, but have not replied since. I re-sent the email, but still no reply. Of course, there's probably an explanation, so I'll wait a few more days. That leaves Blue Spruce, who have what I want in stock and will ship down under. Any others I should consider, or any opinions on any of these three? Thanks, Lincoln.
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Post by 7 on Jan 24, 2015 23:38:40 GMT -5
I am far from a chisel expert. That said, I have the Barr chisels and love them. I imagine all high quality chisels perform similarly but I have been impressed with Barr. A few weeks ago I plugged several screw holes with 1/4' walnut plugs leaving the plugs proud of the wood surface then just set the chisel flat on the door & tapped the chisel lightly and it took the plug clean off perfectly flush with the door surface without even scraping the door. As I said, I imagine all high quality chisels must work the same way but I was very surprised after using basic stanley & marples chisels in the past.
My thinking on Barr not getting back to you, just a guess of course: They are a small company- Barr Quarton still does a lot of the work, his wife Ginger always was the point of contact for me and did the invoice. Seemed to be a real small specialty company. I ordered their typical chisel set but added the 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" to the standard set. Ginger informed me that they would have to wait until Barr did another run of chisels in a few weeks so wanted to know if I preferred to wait for the whole set or have them ship twice. I decided to wait since I wasn't in any rush. They had their "leather guy" customize the chisel roll to fit the standard set plus the 2 additional sizes that I added. Anyway I got the impression that Barr still forges in the shop himself & being a small company myself I realize how easy it is to get overwhelmed & accidentally be irresponsible about getting back to people. I'd just call them again. I Don't think they would be offended.
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Post by 7 on Jan 25, 2015 0:04:55 GMT -5
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jan 25, 2015 0:47:03 GMT -5
Very, very nice...I have a set of Pfeil and they are pretty good. I also like Lie Nielsen chisels, but only have a mortising chisel of theirs. Tow Cherries makes some nice stuff too.
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Post by lincoln on Jan 25, 2015 2:11:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. 7 - thanks for the pics. Will definitely wait a few days to hear back from Ginger. We exchanged a few emails regarding stock, shipping etc, then nothing, so I'm assuming there's a legit reason.
MrToolJunkie - the Lie's look nice, but I don't think they do a 'bench' chisel? I just sold a set of Two Cherries, to go towards a new set. Nice enough chisels, but they weren't what I was looking for.(I bought off ebay, having never seen them in person).
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 25, 2015 6:41:19 GMT -5
I often fancy getting a nice set of chisels. At the moment I just have a set of marples which are ok for site use, but for cabinet making pretty rubbish as they're to thick at the sides and the beval doesn't go all the way down at the edges making them not ideal for doing dovetails. The chisels I like the looks of is the Ashley Illes. The reason being they use high carbon steel not the fancy A2 tool steel which I'm not a fan of personally as molecular construction of a2 steel is larger than high carbon steel. Which means they can never be as sharp as high carbon steel. To me the most important quality is being sharp. I have a clifton hand plane which takes an edge far easier than the jack plane I have which uses a2 steel. From what I've heard the new veritas tool steel is meant to be very close to high carbon steel and take an edge as good. Not that I have any experience with japanese chisels I'm pretty sure they all use high carbon steel as the edge that can be achieved is far superior
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Post by Knight Woodworks on Jan 25, 2015 10:44:46 GMT -5
You haven't said what you plan to use your new chisels for; bench work or on site? Chisels are a very personal thing, can you touch any of them? The Barrs will take a licking, the others are a bit less robust since they lack a hoop on the handle. Good steel, mine take wonderful edge. I find the them a bit clunky, other folks are very happy with theirs. They're a small Co, when I ordered mine several years ago the daughter answered the phone, now it's the wife, perhaps another email?
No personal experience with the Lee Valley but I've heard a lot of good things about the new steel. Don't let the lack of a 25mm put you off if you have your heart set on them. Use it as an opportunity to try a different brand.
I own the Blue Spruce fishtail chisels and like them, no experience with their bench version.
LN makes a good bench chisel that works well for dovetailing. I'm happy with mine.
All these are good choices, I'm sure you'll be happy with any of them.
I'm no expert either but I've purchased waaayy too many sets of chisels: Here's my 2 cents, worth less than what it cost you. Craftsman: Junk yellow & black Stanley: not much better '80s blue handled Marples: pretty good #40 Stanley: a little bit better than the Marples Robert Sorby: too soft plastic handled Two Cherries: pretty good, good value, took a bit to flatten the backs, don't like the handles for paring Barr Cabinet Makers: good steel takes great edge, kinda clunky to me Lie Nielsen: Current favorite for shop work, wouldn't use them for rough work as I don't think the handles would last. Blue Spruce: I have two of their fishtail parring chisels that I like a lot. Misc. vintage: in general I like vintage chisels, would be hard to find a complete set. Most shouldn't be struck with a steel hammer.
if I were thinking to buy a set of chisels, and I'm not, I'd get one size from each maker and trial them for a few months. Sorry this wasn't more helpful. I do think you'll be happy with whatever you get.
John
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Post by jalvis on Jan 25, 2015 13:30:13 GMT -5
Some folks are very particular about chisels. I'm not that guy. I have three sets and find they all work well if sharpened properly. If you haven't invested in a good method for sharpening it won't matter what you buy. So think through that process first and whatever money you have left buy some chisels.
I have a set of Lie Nielsens and they are wonderful for bench work and are certainly a standard which all others get compared. If you want a real value option get Narex. My set are marked "Cr-Mn Steel". They came highly recommended and I think a few years back Fine Woodworking rated them as "best value."
If its your first set don't spend the high dollar amounts until you develop a taste for what you like and a method for sharpening. It never hurts to have several different sets for different tasks so start low and work up.
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Post by lincoln on Jan 25, 2015 19:12:27 GMT -5
I've had many sets, over 20 years, but never a top quality set. Bahco, Marples, Stanley etc. I recently bought, then sold, a set of Two Cherries. I wanted a bit more heft for upcoming projects. I want a quality set, mainly for home projects - including a dining table and traditional workbench. For sharpening I use a Tormek T3 and waterstones - I love this combo, it's nice and quiet, and even though it takes a bit longer I really enjoy the process.
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Post by jalvis on Jan 25, 2015 20:22:44 GMT -5
I've had many sets, over 20 years, but never a top quality set. Bahco, Marples, Stanley etc. I recently bought, then sold, a set of Two Cherries. I wanted a bit more heft for upcoming projects. I want a quality set, mainly for home projects - including a dining table and traditional workbench. For sharpening I use a Tormek T3 and waterstones - I love this combo, it's nice and quiet, and even though it takes a bit longer I really enjoy the process. Wow! Enjoy sharpening....I can't imagine. One of my least favorite tasks next to tuning machinery. If you want some "heft" Barr will fit the bill.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 26, 2015 4:00:19 GMT -5
Must admit I do enjoy the sharpening as well. I do have a tormek T3 don't use it very often now. Unless I've allowed things to get really bad. Now I use a Japanese water stones. I'm need to get a 400 grit. The reason I enjoy its basically the pleasure from getting to use sharp tools and that because the tools are sharp you don't need to try to produce quality work it just happens.
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questa
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by questa on Jan 27, 2015 12:15:19 GMT -5
I have something of a mish mash of chisels, narex, Lie Nielsen and two cherries. Cant really say I prefer one over another. I did pick up a couple of "decent" japanese chisels from Hida tools last year and they may become a favorite.
Have to admit that surfing thru the hand tool forum on SMC is intimidating and they have 20 different opinions on the most minute details. I do not mind sharpening and usually do it while watching or reading on line, everything seems very sharp to me. I am not going to make sharpening my lifes mantra. But any other comments on chisels is appreciated as I do want to improve my skills in that regard.
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Post by lincoln on Jan 29, 2015 1:51:21 GMT -5
Another contender is Ashley Iles. Lots of sizes available, and I really like the handle design. The big boys, 31,37 & 50mm, come with bigger handles in the same style. Very reasonably priced as well.
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Post by jalvis on Jan 29, 2015 10:28:21 GMT -5
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Post by lincoln on Jan 29, 2015 14:42:28 GMT -5
There's a bit of a campaign against H&S, over at the FOG - not sure how much is true, but it's enough to put me off. Not that they're really what I'm looking for.
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