Hi all,
Just about ready to pick up my first set of bevel edge chisels. Currently in consideration include those made by Sorby, Two Cherries and Hirsch. In terms of overall quality and performance, are these all about the same? Is there something else I should be considering? Feedback greatly appreciated.
Doug
Replies
Hirsch and Two Cherries seem to be virtually identical. The Hirsch set of six looks like a good value from Lee Valley for $87 (even though it's up $9 from last year's catalog.) Comparable sets of Two Cherries generally run over $100. The Robert Sorbys are probably a step above and will run $120-$150 depending on style. There are at least five styles for their bevel edge chisels. Then we are edging into Japanese chisel territory as far as price goes. If you have the bucks, this is worth considering, as many find these to be the best in quality. However, if you want to stay in the Hirsch/Two Cherries range, then check out the Ashley Iles from http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com There are two styles, and both offer a set of six for about $100. If I were in the market, I might get the Ashley Iles or the Hirsch.
Ricky,
I, for one, would not put Sorbys a step above Two Cherries or Hirsch chisels. In fact, I have bought my last Sorby chisel.
The three Sorbys I own have all been terrible. The steel in all three has been too soft, the edges fold after very little use. I even tried a very steep angle--thirty-five degrees--on a paring chisel and it still folded! I tried a file on that paring chisel, and it cut.
My first chisels were a set of Marples bench chisels (not the blue-handled ones; my set has translucent red and yellow handles) and I rate them above the Sorbys I have. At least the edge on my Marples chisels lasts tolerably long.
I have run across similar criticisms of Sorby chisels elsewhere. Many others' experience mirror my own: the edge folds too easily. A few--very few--complain that the steel is too brittle and chips when used on hard woods.
In reply, some have said their Sorby chisels are wonderful tools; they take a fine edge and hold it a good while. (As usual, there are more complainers, but little can be learned from that.)
Sorby must be having, or had, problems either with their steel supplier or with their own hardening and tempering process. That would explain the reports of too soft, too hard and just right. It may be that Sorby became aware of these sorts of complaints and have corrected it, but it's my impression the problems persist.
Alan (who is delighted with his recently acquired Hirsch bench chisels and Two Cherries mortise chisels)
As with all cutting tools, the tool will only be as good as the edge you can put on it. A FWW article several years ago said it best when it stated that most woodworker's probably will not be able to tell the difference between the tool steel of various manufacturer's products. Whatever chisel feels best in you hand and sharpened to proficiency, will be many times better than the "best" chisel sharpened poorly.
I am not sure that I agree with this view. The longevity of the edge, good or bad, is highly variable betgween brands/steels, and sometimes within the same brand. Sure is frustating to chop half of amortise, and then have to hone or grind.
In terms of price, I favor the older, pre-WWII chisels of good name, including, not in any particular order, the Stanleys (esp. the 750's), TH Witherby, Swan, Bucks Brothers, Addis, Butcher. At flea markets, etc., getting one for $10 or less is not unusual. They usually require a bit of work, and sometimes a handle. Look for deep rust on the flat near the edge, and avoid these.
Alan
Quite a few years back I ordered a set and sent them right back. Some handles were crooked, the back looked like rolling fields and the bevel was not square. I don't mind sharpening up but I should not have to re-manufacture them. Over the years almost any wooden handled tools that I have owned have not held up well. My Sheffield steel tools seem to rust the easiest. My expensive rosewood squares are not useable. The varnish that is on my English wood handles, Record planes, Speares & Jackson saw, Tyzac & Turner saws, cracked and split so bad it hurt your hand and had to be redone. My Marples blue chips have been on the job everyday for 25yrs. I have abused most of them, beating them with a steel hammer, using them to pry and then asking them to sharpen up for some delicate cabinet work. They have been superb. The extra length is great for paring work and the steep edge bevels help in the tight spots. The price is unbeatable for the service you will get, cabinet shop or demolition.
Doug
The Hirsch and Two Cherries are the same, just a different name.
Really excellent for the shop.
If you want to save a few bucks on your first set, check out the Highland Hardware, they have a great deal on a set of Chisels from Chezyk.
I have a set I keep handy for shop stuff, and their pretty good.
Ashly Isles also has a great following.
Jeff
I have a set of Hirsch, and there is no comparison between them and my old Marples. They get sharper and they stay that way. Not to mention they look a heck of a lot better.
Yeah
I like mine also.
Jeff
Want best-quality chisels for 2-8 bucks each?
Getcha a set of BlueHandled Marples to start with and gain skill with them...
...then follow my tutorials and begin collecting handleless prewar socket chisels of old-time, glass-like cast steel like those below.
Buy large lots, rehab them, make sets, and Ebay off what you don't need. Occasionally I even have to pay up to....(shudder) 20 dollars...for an odd size firmer or gouge or mortise chisel.
I keep clear of collector-grade stuff and Stanleys, although I occasionally get some 750's and 720's in large lots. Don't try to compete with the collectors....750's are good but not any better than the others.
I even convert the longer ones over to lathe tools...and the wornout shorties become butt chisels. Easier to sharpen than modern, A2 steel and my converted lathe tools hold their edge just as long as Sorby M2 steel.
http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDocs/Wood_How_To/Smalser_on_Chisels.htm
http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010117
Chas Buck, Buck Bros, PS&W, Swan, Witherby, Ohio Tool, Union Hardware, Stilletto, Robt Duke, New Haven Edge Tool, Gillespie, DR Barton, White, Greenlee...
...the list goes on and on from an era where all tradesmen understood hand tools thoroughly and there were dozens and dozens of companies competing hard for that tradesman's dollar. The Lie Nielsen's of their day.
Sometimes I wonder why I post this info because if everybody did it, I might have to pay...(shudder) ...20 dollars instead of my 6-dollar average.
“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.
Edited 9/28/2004 8:40 am ET by Bob Smalser
Just got a few old Craftsman socket chisels that belonged to my Dad. Were/are they a decent chisel? Got to get rid of the rust and sharpen them and use 'em. They still have the original handles which are in good shape.
Old sockets? Good? You betcha.
Buying oldie sockets in large lots for making up sets for local shipwrights who prefer them, I get to see a lot of them.
Some Craftsmans were obviously made by Greenlee....others by Stanley.“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.
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