well, not too long ago there was a thread here about how, in the opinion and experience of some of us craftsfolks, how poorly Sorbey chisles hold their edge. I purchased a set of 8 Sorbey’s about 1 year ago, flattened and sharpened them carefully, and used them on pieces made with cherry. No problem. But once I started my recent project, a set of 2 curlymaple end tables, I used them to clean up mortises, and gee whiz did they dull fast. I did not use them to hollow out the mortises simply to square them up a bit and clean them out.
I ran my thumb over the flat side and gee there was a significant fold over of the edge.
I hear a set of cherries will be better.
Replies
You might want to try raising the angle you sharpen them at. I went to 30 degrees on mine and they don't fold any more, but that is a little steep for paring. I'm finding it's hard to get everything I want from just one set. More tools!
Ken
spitfire,
I went the opposite from Kenking, went with a 20 degree bevel and use as paring chisels only. I do like their feel and appear to be holding up well ...they never see mallet..
I experience the same problem as spitfire with the Sorby set I got a year ago - the edge rolls very easily.
I am going to relegate them to low angle paring chisels and use the L-N set I got last month for bench use.
_________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
Edited 2/8/2005 2:27 pm ET by MICHAELP
"Better" is relative, but no matter which chisels you're using, they're going to dull on curly maple quicker than cherry.
The advantage to Two Cherries brand will be that they hold an edge longer. The disadvantage is that it will take more time to sharpen them. Sorby chisels will sharpen and dull more quickly. You'll get better results if you touch them up more frequently (i.e. lightly resharpen them while they're still somewhat sharp).
Changing the bezel angle for high angle cuts is good advice. Instead of Two Cherries, you might consider getting a few japanese chisels if you want a very stiff, very slow to sharpen, very sturdy mortising chisel.
-t
tted,
Last month there was a discussion here and it appeared many use the japanese chisel for morticing...but it doesn't make sense to me. As you mentioned, they are harder and stay sharper but can bend quite easily...above the 1/4" size.
When morticing, one method is to drive the chisel down and pry forward pushing out the stock...and never paring the walls of the mortice. Doing this method with the japanese resulted in a 'sway' back chisel...i only use it now for working around corners...lol.
I bought some firmer chisels(used) they work great and with the longer blade provide more leverage for prying. Just a thought...
Boy, am I glad to see this posting! A few months ago I bought a Sorbey 1/2" mortising chisel for a project I was making in walnut. I honed it to 6000grit and polished the back. After only one mortise in pretty soft wood, my cool, mirror finished edge looked like a saw. I re-honed and tried again. Same result. I took it back to the store and traded it (with full credit) for a Japanese 1/2" mortise chisel. After similar honing and polishing I was able to complete the project and still have a great edge on the chisel. End of story
You are right send them to me . Sounds like you need cherries .
I don't have any experience with Two Cherries or Sorby, but I recently replaced some Blue Chips with Ashley Isles. I have been chopping dovetails for two days, and have not had to re-hone them - much better than the Blue Chips.
They seem to compare favorably with my one Japanese chisel, at significantly lower cost.
One caution, though - the bubinga handles are LARGE.
Dan
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