This chisel is absolutely beautiful and impeccably crafted. The back of the A2 steel blade was dead-flat right out of the box. Its beveled edges taper to a sharp 0.0010 in.—fabulous for dovetailing, yet tricky to hold by its side. The cocobolo handle is the most comfortable of those tested. However, the lack of a bolster and the slightly flexible blade mean you should stick to moderate mallet strikes.

Past review
Fine chisels for finest work
by Rich Macrae
7/1/2007

A new set of dovetail chisels from Blue Spruce Toolworks includes four standard-size chisels (1/8 in., 1/4 in., 3/8 in., and 1/2 in.), but there’s nothing standard about these tools.

After a quick honing on a fine stone, the tools were ready to go. The A2 steel blades are thin, with concave edges that allow you to reach into the tightest of places. And being made from A2 steel, they hold their edges exceedingly well. The cocobolo handles are not only attractive, they’re also comfortable.

These chisels aren’t made for removing a lot of waste. Rather, they are best-suited for fine, precise joinery work. While I can’t recommend these chisels as a first set, they make perfect supplements to a veteran’s tool collection—a Stradivarius within reach. The set sells for $220, but you can purchase the chisels individually. For information, go to www.bluesprucetoolworks.com.

Photo: Thomas McKenna

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