Replies

1. 
   jeffreysherow | Jan 08, 2004 12:46am | #1

   trust your intinct

2. 
   JerBear | Jan 08, 2004 01:15am | #2

   It's low end stuff for the weekend Harvey homeowners, don't expect alot from it.

3. 
   Sphere | Jan 08, 2004 01:56am | #3

   On the other hand...They used to be top notch chisels...I have a few from the 1800's...still great. If ata yard sale ya stumble on one that is not ground beyond the hard steel..grab it up. I like test the steel with a small broken file if I cannot see the forge weld on the back.

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Jan 08, 2004 04:45pm | #5

   They used to be top notch chisels...

   FWIW, in Classic Hand Tools (p. 89), Garrett Hack recommends old chisels by Charles Buck, but not those by Buck Brothers, citing their "uneven reputation for quality".

1. 
   Sphere | Jan 09, 2004 02:19am | #11

   Well Golly...if HE says that then I better throw the 8 chisels and gouges I have used for 20 yrs. in the trash..mine are dandy, maybe I got lucky? I have never counted exactly how many chisels , gouges, and various handled edge tools I own..but it approaches 150..yes some are crap..I have an old 'found" jap chisel..I swear is made from wrought iron..it's a joke, But every Buck bros. that I have come across in the N.E. US..including some that were in other folks shops are fine for their intended purpose..With all due respect to Mr. Hack..I will make my own evaluations thank you..just cuz read it in a book don't necessarily make it so.

4. 
   sailalex | Jan 08, 2004 04:19pm | #4

   Okay Jerry, I will give you an opinion from someone who has actually used them. I was given a set of these chisels about 2-3 years ago and found them to be very good. I haven't compared them to the Hirsch ( I just received  3 of them) but I have compared them to some Japanese chisels and they fare quite well. I started investigating a while ago and learned that the brand was a top quality chisel during what would be referred to as "antique" times. I am sure the Buck bros. chisels in HD today is not the same chisel, but I have been amazed at how well they work. I use them ( and resharpen them ) regularly on an oak boat project and find them to be a great value. I continually pick them up instead of the Japanese chisels, for which I paid a LOT MORE money. Go figure!! I expect the Hirsch chisels to be better but I haven't actually experienced that so I won't comment.  At $28 for three, I would definitely recommend them as a good value for the money.

1. 
   EdHarrison | Jan 08, 2004 06:44pm | #7

   They're short, aren't they Sail? I would think that the Two Cherries/ Hirsch will be a completely different animal to you due to the length. I have a set of Two Cherries and I also have a "junkyard dog" set of short chisels: Stanley, Millers Falls, etc., which I sort of use differently. For instance, I use the Two Cherries for a lot more paring and precision and the short chisels for a lot more chopping. Good luck on your boat - I am dying to build another boat - maybe this spring.

1. 
   sailalex | Jan 09, 2004 05:30pm | #12

   The Hirsch are a little longer than the Buck Bros. but the Buck Bros. chisels are a nice length, not too short as a Japanese chisel, for example.

1. 
   EdHarrison | Jan 09, 2004 06:04pm | #13

   Good deal. My next project is to grind some skew chisels. Maybe I'll have a look at them.

5. 
   fredb | Jan 08, 2004 05:10pm | #6

   Hi,

   I have a set that I've been using in and around for some time. Sharpened correctly they cut very nicely. I have a Two Cherries set that only sees "fine work". The Buck Bros. chisels see it all and hold up quite well for the cost.

   Kind regards - Fred
6. 
   MatthewSchenker | Jan 08, 2004 08:24pm | #8

   Jerry,

   I bought a set of these chisels a while back, and I have used them on variety of projects.  When they are sharpened, I find they are pretty good.  Maybe not as comfortable as more expensive ones?  I don't know.  You can hone them pretty well, and I've had good luck slicing through maple and oak with them.

   With that said, my uses have been pretty simple -- cleaning the ends of mortises, cutting a flat on table legs, hinge mortising.

   My guess is, if you were someone who used chisels more often, you would probably want a better set.  But for basic uses, these are fine.

1. 
   JerBear | Jan 09, 2004 01:39am | #9

   Actually I have two Buck Bros. chisels that I have used off and on over the last few years.  Perhaps my statement was a bit strong for some, whatever.  I have a variety of brands, Sorby, Marples, Japanese, and the contractor series of Stanley which I prefer way over the Buck.  As a finish carpenter and woodworker for the last 27 years I work with these tools 24-7 and sharpen them to shaving point and I just found the Bucks from HD didn't hold up.  Now I'm curious and I'll take your advice and look for an old one to see how that is.  I didn't know the co. had been around so long.

2. 
   JerBear | Jan 10, 2004 01:49am | #14

   Well I was in HD this morning to pick up a few things and this thread has piqued my curiosity so I found myself wandering over to the tools to look at what?....yeah the chisles.  Low and behold there was my answer!  Buck Bros has two types for sale at the Depot, a low end chisel, and a professional model.  The pro model looked to be the one all you guys are talking about and every bit as good as the Stanley contractor series.  The ones I have were the orange handled low end ones so....I stand corrected.  I almost bought one but I just couldn't justify it.

1. 
   user-310309 | Jan 10, 2004 08:46am | #15

   Dear Mr. Sphere,

   I think--or at least I hope--we all stopped using the term jap back in 1945 at the end of WW 2.

1. 
   Sphere | Jan 10, 2004 04:24pm | #16

   Get over it..used in same context as post #13....not in derogatory way..if you infered that I am using archaic derogatory slurs to describe a person , you have an axe to grind, I just set you off...

1. 
   user-310309 | Jan 10, 2004 07:47pm | #18

   I make no inferences, I call them as I see them--or at least as I read them in this case.

   Jose

2. 
   Sphere | Jan 10, 2004 07:58pm | #19

   Well, pardon the lack of etiquitte, many carps, and ww's I know use the abbreviated terms jap saw, and jap plane, jap chisel..and even jap water stones..in no way intended as a slur, basically a shortend version...maybe you are unfamiliar with that or are being over sensitve..?  The slur is capitalized..FYI.

2. 
   sailalex | Jan 10, 2004 04:32pm | #17

   Jer, that may be the difference. FWIW, the chisels I have found to be a good value have red handles. They were a gift so I don't know whether they were "high end" or not, but they do have red handles.

7. 
   Agee | Jan 09, 2004 02:13am | #10

   Jerry,

           One of the best deals going that I have found is a set of 6 wooden handled chisels from Highland HW.They are made in Eastern Europe and Highland sells a boxed set for $29.I have a set and they are a great value.Maybe not up there with the best but I like them better than my Blue Chips.BTW Garrett Wade sells a set in their catalog that looks exactly the same for $50+.You can check them out at Highlandwardware.com

   Mike

8. 
   Sphere | Jan 11, 2004 12:16am | #20

   JOSE< just so ya know..here is another..

   	From:  wolfman   3:07 pm  To:  Clay unread  (60 of 60)
   	38462.60 in reply to 38462.59
   	i like new stuff . yesterday my little furry buddy pulled a black and decker "thats right b-d outta his box van . the machine is called the NAVIGATOR . jap saw short stroked sawzall like orange . 60 bucks and im gettin one . betcha it can cut those jambs                              anyone ever use one ?

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9. 
   jwnyc | Jan 11, 2004 11:15pm | #21

   You can get a set of 4 Marples Blue Chips at Lowes for $19.99