Replies

1. 
   BG | Nov 02, 2003 10:04pm | #1

   Dave,

   Can't provide a whole lot of advice except that if you read the stuff on line from japan woodworker perhaps that will add a touch of clarity re: blue and white steel.

   Personally, I have a couple of Japanese chisels from Woodcraft and they are fine...but I have not tried better ones....they hold their sharpness a long time and only need a brief honing to make a difference.  However, I like my Sorby better for paring...the long flat blade feels better and the Japanese chisel back is not flat, except on the edge.  I have been acquiring firmer chisels for dovetails (used, cheap) to see how those work..I can certainly hit them hard and leverage.  Up till now I've used the Japanese for dovetails..they work well for that.

   As much as anything, I think it's what you get used to...and have confidence with.
1. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 03, 2003 05:07am | #2

   BG,

   I've heard great things about the folks at The Japan Woodworker as well as Hida Tools.

   There are supposed to be significant differences in quality within the range of Japanese chisels available on the market. Hopefully, someone with specialized knowledge, like Norm, will chime in with some helpful advice from which we can all benefit.

   Good luck,PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   BG | Nov 03, 2003 10:48pm | #6

   jazzdogg,

   I spent a couple of hours at the Japanese Woodworkers booth last year at a WW show in Worchester, MA. The guy there did a nice job educating me on the different quality levels of the various chisels....most of it, if not all, was based on quality of craftsmanship....none of it addressed the things that were important to me at the time...induction motor verses direct drive, etc, etc. ....lol.

   I would assume the better tools hold the sharpness better...but that is just a guess.

2. 
   davd | Nov 03, 2003 09:15pm | #5

   Thanks for the replys.  I have looked about on the Japan Woodworker site.  They are paring chisels as well.  Anyone have experience with these ?

   Thanks again,

   DAVE

2. 
   RMillard | Nov 03, 2003 03:00pm | #3

   Dave,

   I only have used the Iyori's, but they are the finest chisels I have. They hone to a razor sharp edge that lasts. My only complaint, and this is my fault, is that improper use will cause the edges to chip quite easily. I totally destroyed a 3/16” dovetail chisel by trying to lever out some waste from a tripod leg dovetail joint. I ordered a new one within minutes of destroying it, so I guess that says it all.

   Rob Millard

3. 
   TomMGTC | Nov 03, 2003 03:45pm | #4

   I have a set of Iyori that I am very happy with. As rob stated they are prone to chipping if you use them to lever work out. They really hold an edge though and initial tuning was pretty good. I do find that fo very fine dovetails the chisels are a little thick. I have a set of sorbys that I use in that situation.

   Tom

   Douglasville, GA

4. 
   Floss | Nov 04, 2003 06:33am | #7

   Dave,

   Just throwing this out there. I have a set of Barr chisels that are hand fordged by Barr Quarton in McCall Idaho. They are very expensive, $300.00 for a set of four. These are quite possibly the best chisels I have ever used or had a chance to use. The steel is more mild than a Japanese style chisel which allows for quite a bit of abuse between sharpenings. Their design is a socket style with quite a stout blade that makes them great for chopping or paring. Barr makes a long and a short set depending on what type of work you do. I have the longer set and use them every day for all my chisel work( chopping paring and cleaning out mortises). I think these chisels were reviewed in the article that you are referencing. Anyway if you have some money to burn you won't be disappointed.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 04, 2003 08:22am | #8

   j.p.

      The Barr's are a great chisel. Their framing chisels are fantastic in the 1" to 3" range. Not everybody needs that size though, as they are timber-framing size and strength.

      Give you one more idea if you are ever in the need of a smaller set of chisels for small doves and joints. Just bought and honed a set of Ashley Iles American Cabinet-Maker chisels. If one has small to medium hands, these are the most balanced chisel I have ever held. The steel (Rc59) by their own info but rated Rc61 on a test in a review. I got turned onto them by the guys over at Popular WoodWorking doing a review on 20 different sets. These were their favorites. These things have great balance and give positive control. I use longer English bench chisels for deeper joints as these are only 7 1/2" long from the 1/8" chisel to the 1" chisel. They go up to only about 9" on the larger 1 1/4"- 1 1/2". For smaller work, they are fantastic.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Edited 11/4/2003 12:25:19 AM ET by SARGE

   Edited 11/4/2003 12:54:47 AM ET by SARGE