Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 20, 2023 07:41pm | #1

   They have some marketed as dovetail chisels. But most Japanese bench chisels have sides that are much too thick, as purchased, to get into the corners of a dovetail. In reality I think your choices are pretty slim, unless you want to spend time grinding down the sides.

1. 
   hotdogman | Mar 20, 2023 07:50pm | #2

   This comment is not so. There are Japanese chisels made for several different purposes. I assume you are referring to Japanese style bench chisels what we might call Butt chisels. There are others, Iyoroi Dovetail Chisels which are triangular in cross-section, allowing access to the undercut corners in dovetail joints and are some times called dovetail chisels to try to fit into the western nomenclatures for chisels.

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 21, 2023 04:47am | #3

   Yes, as noted above, those marketed as dovetail chisels are made for dovetailing. But those marketed as bench chisels aren't suitable for dovetailing.

2. 
   chuckvandyck | Mar 21, 2023 07:23am | #4

   The Iyoroi brand you mentioned is great. If you are wanting something more special, look at SuzukiTool.com. If you email them I’m positive Saruyi will write you back with guidance on a first set of dovetail chisels.
   The top is soft steel, so wouldn’t take too long with a file. You could buy used off the bay for pretty cheap and experiment.

   Regarding the ones from LV, which I believe are Iyoroi. Sometimes with Japanese chisels you will need to sharpen past some weaker steel at the cutting edge. Not sure why this happens. Might be from the maker grinding the initial bevel quickly and over heating. Remember these are typically handmade so efficient production methods vary. Some of the more expensive ones with have some of the set up done for you, which is man hours, not machine hours, so comes at a premium.

   Its like if someone commissioned me to make an Ikea style cabinet. I will still charge $50/hr and likely have a total in the thousands vs $500 from Ikea who has an automated process.

   I personally get excited about my tools that were forged down in a pit vs stamped by a machine. That being said, I also love love love my SW chisels.

1. 
   hotdogman | Mar 21, 2023 08:42am | #6

   Thank you for your input here. I experienced some chipping or scaling when first using the Japanese chisels I got from Lee Valley. I was told this is normal because it is hard to control the forging process at the tip. Once sharpened a couple of times the cutting edges are much more durable. I like the balance and light feeling of the chisels very much.

2. 
   john_c2 | Mar 21, 2023 11:01am | #8

   This can happen in western tools as well. The heat treating process can rob the carbon from the surface of the steel. A bit more sharpening the first time around will get past that to good steel.

3. 
   Jkatzowitz | Mar 21, 2023 07:53am | #5

   I bought a 3mm Japanese Iyoroi Dovetail Chisel from Highland Woodworking about a year ago. The blades are triangular in cross section and they work great for dovetailing. I just checked the Highland website and they are listed as "temporarily out of stock".

1. 
   hotdogman | Mar 21, 2023 08:44am | #7

   Yes thank you, I noticed that also. It seems that there is a short supply in many places. I noticed that the Highland Japanese chisels don't seem to have a metal ring around the strike end of the chisel. Are these more for paring as opposed to chopping dovetails?

1. 
   Jkatzowitz | Mar 21, 2023 05:42pm | #10

   That's a good question and I don't have an answer for it. Give Highland a call.

   Of course I noticed there was no metal ring but assumed that because my chisel is only 3mm I wouldn't have to really whack it hard anyway.

4. 
   chuckvandyck | Mar 21, 2023 11:32am | #9

   Id really consider a 3mm. So useful.