I’m considering upgrading my bench chisels and am hoping someone can give me feedback on the Lie Nielsen chisels. I’ve been quite happy with the planes I have bought from them, so expect that their chisels would be the same, but they are a pretty good amount of $$ for a 5 chisel set.
I can get a 6 chisel set of Two Cherries for about half of the LN.
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Hi Jeff. I have a 5 pc. set of LN mortise chisels and I think they are fantastic. I also have my second set of LN bench chisels. The first set that I received were awfull. The edges would roll up with only hand pressure. I sent them back and received a email directly from Lie-Nielsen apologizing and saying that they had picked me out a second set and individually tested them to guarantee my satisfaction. They are a little better but not much. I took them to a local metalurgist and had them tested for hardness. The measurement was RC. 57. They advertise around 60-62. I let several cabinet maker friends try the chisels and non of them were impressed. I have heard some people raving about the edge holding abilities of these chisels but sadly I have yet to see it. My second set is going back and I think I am going to buy some Barr Quartons. I am sure that it is just bad luck that I have received 2 bad sets but I won't try again. I own several of their planes and think that they are all very good but I will pass on the chisels. Peter
thanks, nothing quite like a first hand account.
Peter,
Interesting report. This is the first report on the chisels I've come across that was negative. You mention LN mortise chisels too. I don't recall them ever offering mortise chisels. The hardness test is odd; LN plane blades have been A-2 for a while so I would think they know how to harden/temper the material. Have the chisels been power ground dry? LN recommends a flat grind, primary bevel of 30 degrees, and secondary bevel of 35 degrees. Under those sharpening conditions most steels would stay sharp a long time.
I'm going to drop by LN during a trip to May later this year. Think I'll pick up one chisel and run some tests back at the shop - grinding & sharpening it exactly like my other chisels and seeing how they compare then. I even have one of the Stanley 750s for comparison.
Regards,
Dave
Hello Dave. The chisels have not yet seen the grinder. I just hone on waterstones. I have heard from someone else that LN recommends a flat bevel but I cannot find that information anywhere. The website states that they come with a 30* bevel and this may need to change due to materials. My mortise chisels are 30* with about a 2* microbevel, and they hold up excellently. MY bench chisels are honed the same way at the same angles and no such luck. I don't know if this is any indication but the initial bench chisels out of production had 25* bevels. Peter
Initial ones were 25 degrees but current ones are 30. Hmmm. That does hint of early edge retention not meeting expectations. I have found with my own chisels that adding 5 degrees makes them hold edges much better. I currently use 25/30 primary/honing angles. If I get one of the LNs they will be brought to those angles before I start using them side-by-side with the others. Best, Dave
I went to the Woodworking show yesterday and they had someone demonstrating the planes and chisels all day. He said they use the same steel for the chisels and the planes. I didn't notice that the backs had been flattened, although he said they should be, for normal use.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
i find this extremely interesting. being a longtime professional woodworker who has had nothing but great sucess with every lie-nielsen product i ever got my mitts on...i wonder if this company is going thrusome growing pains? maybe i'll hold off onthat chisel purchase....
Well it is quite interesting. I can not be sure but I do believe that when they first advertised the chisels on their website they said the RC hardness was 60 to 62.[I think] Now however they are advertised as 58 to 60. I had mine tested and they are rc 57. This was back when they advertised 60-62 [I think]. Anyhow, they are a delight to hold and use but the edges dull VERY fast. I have the mortise chisels as well and they are great. 30* bevel on them as well and they hold an edge like nobody's business. Well it's time to go and sharpen my chisels again........................... Peter
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