HI,
I’m seeking guidance on purchasing a set of bench chisels. Am lookiing for something better than the Craftsman but less pricey than, say, the Blue Spruce. I am a home hobbiest. Is there something in between that I would be proud to own and can grow into without ticking my wife off….<g>?
thanks.
Replies
Marples sold a set with ash handles, I have had them for years and they do what I need. I see now they are with Irwin, so maybe they're not the same thing. Mine were made in England .
Chisels
First, I think it is helpful to recognize that chisels aren't just tools, they are a religion. ;-)
Different people have varying preferences, depending on the nature of the work they do. There may also be a bit of irrational brand loyalty going on when it comes to "pride of ownership". Often, the level of "pride" is directly proportional to the price paid.
I, took, have a set of English-made Marples chisels, along with several other sets, including a moderately-priced set of Japanese chisels from Japan Woodworker. My impression from Internet posts is that the U.S.-made Marples (post Irwin purchase) are not of equal quality. I often joke that the Japanese chisels can be made so sharp that one only need to wave then at the work piece, and the waste material runs off in terror. ;-)
There are numerous discussions of different chisel brands her on Knots. Those discussions (found with a search) may be helpful, or perhaps not. A grain of salt (or, several grains) may be needed when reading those discussions.
Another option to paying the high price of the better current brands (e.g. Blue Spruce, Two Cherries, Lie Nielsen, etc.) is to look on the used market, including flea markets. Stanley, Millers Falls, Buck Bros, et al, all made decent tools aimed at trademen in the times prior to the '70s. These brands can often be had for a few dollars per chisel and a little bit of work to rehab them.
Chisels
Hi there,
Last year I purchased a set of Stanley's newly-reintroduced Sweetheart bench chisels. I have been very happy with their performance and ease of sharpening.
Best,
-Ed
Narex
You won't go wrong with the narex, good quality chisel at a very reasonable price. I've had a set of these for almost six years and they are my daily workers. They hold a good edge and sharpen easily, I've found that a 29 degree angle holds up best.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=67707&cat=1,41504
chisels
thanks to all for comments. I will check out the narex and Stanley's
Another vote for Narex. As a point of reference, I have many, many chisels, being somewhat of an accumulator. I've got three or four dozen vintage chisels, including Buck, Stanley 750's, 720's & Everlasting, Witherby and so forth, plus the same number of modern, including Lie Neisen, Two Cherries, Narex, Ashely Iles and on and on.
The Narex can't be beat for the money. They take and hold an edge and are dirt cheap. My only comment is the handles are ugly (I re-handled several with London-patterned handles I made). You can find Narex at Lee Valley and Highland Hardware. LV has the new cabinet maker's Narex, with the side bevels coming down to almost a point. Highland, I believe, has the same chisel, but with a more traditional English style handle (think modern Sorby).
As a point of reference, the woods I work with are typically walnut, cherry, white oak, some poplar and pine. If you have intentions of working harder, or some exotic woods, you may want to think through the type of steel/hardness of the chisels, but for what I do, the Narex do a decent job.
I haven't seen the new Stanley chisels but I have seen the Narex. Narex comes in two varieties, one more expensive than the other and the main difference is the quality of shaping the tool during final grinding. The more expensive has a smaller and more refined flat on the side of the chisel. This is important when trying to work up close to another detail without fouling it like when cleaning out dovetails.
Frankly, the more refined Narex are a long way from what they could be or what I'd be willing to buy. I don't know of a contemporary chisel that's as well shaped and ground as the bevel back chisels that were made in Sheffield for generations. I sure wish some maker would produce chisels like came out of Sheffield from around 1870 up until about the end of World War II. What has happened to chisels is pretty sad and, if woodworkers knew the difference, there would be some pressure on manufacturers to do a better job.
Narex (their standard line) are great--easy to put a good edge on them. Didn't FWW rate them as "best value" recently?
Janet
Pfeil Chisels
Good day, about three years ago I purchased a set of Pfeil bench chisels and I love them. What I like is that you can purchase them as you need them as they are sold individually and range from aprox $21 to $37 each. They are hand made chisels with white beach handles with steel ferrules. I use their carving tools extensivley and love the bench chisels.
Good luck.
Check out BORG
At the Home depot ( if you have one nearby) has Buck Brothers chisels. There is also a "Sheffield" brand hanging there as well.
For the cost, I think Narex will serve you well. I bought a set for using in the shop when I didnt want to use my good chisels (on ply, for glue clean up, etc) and I am finding them very good chisels, so much so I rarely use my "good" set.
AJC
Chisels
Being an English cabinetmaker, I naturally prefer English chisels - Sheffield made.
I bought a second-hand set of Marples b/e with splitproof handles ( not pretty) and they have served me well for the last 25 years. I still use them every day.
We don't see the American ( or European) brands here, so it's hard to compare.
If you are not sure what to buy, can I recommend a visit to eBay UK, where used chisels can be had very cheaply.
You can buy Marples, Sorby, Mathieson, and a host of other famous makers. You can buy 200 year old chisels, and chisels from makers who have been in business for over 200 years, and try them for a few dollars. Most sellers will ship to the US and Canada, and it is surprisingly inexpensive by air.
It's a marvellous way to feel a link with older makers, long dead, who made some of the most fantastic stuff with comparatively simple tools. No power, just skill and sweat.
If you are patient you can put together a set of Chas. Buck Chisels on Ebay for not a whole lot of money. They are more than a hundred years old and they are wonderful.
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