Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jul 10, 2007 07:01am | #1

   Firmer chisel--cabinet chisel without beveled edges.  Usually on the heavy side.

   Registered chisel--light duty mortise chisel--sash chisel--thicker than firmer, but a light duty mortise chisel for softwoods, etc. 

   Mortise chisel--much thicker than the others, meant to be really hit, and to be used to lever chips from the bottom of a mortise.  Hard to find new.  (Ashley Illes ?) 

1. 
   noviceneil | Jul 10, 2007 03:41pm | #2

   "Hard to find new" Ray Iles makes great mortise chisels, the kind that are meant to be struck hard and are based on the older models made before 1950..you can order them through Tools for Working Wood in New York

   Neil

1. 
   dtraversi | Jul 10, 2007 06:42pm | #3

   Thanks for the heads-up!Dave

2. 
   dtraversi | Jul 10, 2007 06:43pm | #4

   Steve-
   Thanks for the simple explanation- I appreciate it!Dave

2. 
   AdamCherubini | Jul 11, 2007 05:32am | #5

   I don't know what a registered chisel is. I think some manufacturer just made it up,

   Firming chisels were traditionally the general purpose chisel. Cabinetmakers had large sets of these (many sizes). They were designed to be struck. There were light duty tanged firmers and heavier socketed firmers and even larger framing chisels. But they weren't all available in the same sizes- so it wasn't so much of a personal choice thing.

   Modern firmers often have beveled sides, but anglo american 18th c firmers typically did not. I don't think there's any real difference between the two. If I had to guess, I'd say the non beveled sort had stronger edges. They are also a little more resistant to over heating when grinding.

   My advice is to buy only one or two Illes mortisers (from toolsforworkingwood.com) choose 1/4" or 5/16".

   Adam

3. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jul 11, 2007 08:04am | #6

   hi Dave,

   All of the chisels you mention are fine for the work you want to do with them. Any of them are more than adequate.

   I'd agree with Adam's recommendations on the oval bolstered mortise chisels from the company he referred to.

   The registered firmer chisels are a heavy duty chisel, better than a firmer for rough work. Registered mortise chisels are more forgiving than regular mortising chisels.

   The 'registered' part indicates a non-bevelled tanged chisel with a leather shock absorbing washer between the tang and the handle and double-hooped handle (one each end). Hence the term 'registered mortice' or 'registered firmer' chisel in common use beforehand. I don't know where I learnt this but it wasn't the internet, potentially trade training.

   I'll look for a link for Adam - see pdf below from a 30MB catalogue (1925) available online for a pictorial definition.

   According to Salaman's tool bible, a registered chisel is a firmer chisel with a strong blade and originally a square bolster, replaced by a round necked bolster in later times ... [with an] iron ferrule next to the bolster [that] is longer than usual, with one end solid in which there is a square hole to take the tang. A leather washer is often provided to soften the impact of the bolster on the end of the ferrule, which, in the case of the ordinary chisel, is taken by the end grain of the handle.

   These are the features which were probably 'registered' in the first place, but by when and by by whom is not known. The other end of the handle is fitted with another iron ferrule (hoop) to keep the wood from splitting.

   paraphrasing the article further, the ...original term came from the boatbuilding trade circa 1870.

   Cheers,

   eddie

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/11/2007 1:13 am by eddiefromAustralia

   
1. 
   derekcohen | Jul 11, 2007 09:25am | #7

   Hi Eddie

   Here is a picture of a couple of registered firmer chisels alongside more familiar others.

   On the left are two Woodcocks and then a Sorby (I think), followed by two Witherbys (which are inbetween a firmer and a shallow bevel edge) and then two Bergs (which are shallow bevel edged parers).

   View Image

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

   Edited 7/11/2007 2:37 am ET by derekcohen

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jul 12, 2007 12:14am | #8

   Thanks Derek,As you say, the left hand three are registered firmers - the one second from the left may be a registered mortising chisel, hard to tell from the photo angle.Appreciate the help.Cheers,eddie

1. 
   dtraversi | Jul 17, 2007 04:05am | #9

   Thanks to one and all!
   I've been away for a few days and came back to a wealth of chisel expertise.It always helps me to have a little historical info and some practical common sense info to paint a solid picture in my head.I'll probabley end up just hogging out the mortises with my drill bit and a few bench chisels but it is nice to know the straight p00p when I decide to pick out my next favorite chisel.Again Thank you for responding
   Dave

2. 
   lwilliams | Jul 17, 2007 04:44am | #10

   Eddie,With your background in metallurgy, I'm curious what you think of D-2 as a steel for chisels? Maybe I should ask via private e-mail and we can go that way if you prefer.

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jul 17, 2007 09:00am | #11

   No problems Larry,In my opinion, D2 is likely to have too coarse a carbide for a fine cutting edge/retention thereof.However, it's used in paper mills for the trimming knives and it survives well.Additionally, somebody here has apparently made commercial chisels from D2 and they're standing up well enough to the abuse.I'd say the devil's in the detail (the heat treatment)D2's apparently working as a chisel steel, but I had/still have my misgivings.Cheers,eddie