IBC’s Skew Chisels are available in left- and right-hand pairs in three sizes (3⁄8 in., 1⁄2 in., and 5⁄8 in.). Like IBC’s line of bench chisels, the skews have screw-on handles. I tested a set with the standard 31⁄2-in.-long handle, although 7-in. handles are also available. Both lengths are available in walnut or maple. The tools performed nicely and were well balanced and comfortable.

The blades come with well-ground backs and bevels, so the initial setup for each took me under 20 minutes. In a variety of paring tasks in several woods, the high vanadium A-2 steel held up well. The skewed blades left a glassy surface on end grain. Similarly, they produced clean results in cross-grain work. Edge retention was excellent, too, holding up nicely when I chiseled the hard-to-reach corners in half-blind dovetails. Additionally, for those who already own IBC chisels, the skew blades can be purchased without handles and then used with the handles you already own. If you are in the market for skew chisels, the IBCs are certainly worth considering.

—Bill Pavlak is the supervisor at the Anthony Hay Cabinet Shop at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. 

Photo: Barry NM Dima

From Fine Woodworking #272

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