-
Hi All,
I want to replace my crappy Home Depot type wood chisels for something that will actually hold a sharp edge. I have considered Two Cherries, Narex Classic, Narex Richter, and Stanley Sweethearts. I am looking for a set of chisels that is high quality for a reasonable price. I have read mixed reviews on the Two Cherries chisels and good reviews on the Narex chisels. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or recommendations about the chisels I mentioned or other brands.
I would also be interested in your opinions about using Japanese wet stones versus Arkansas stones for sharpening. I have been using Japanese wet stones but a friend says that he prefers Arkansas stones because they wear less over time.
Thanks!
-
08-19-2024 11:36 AM
-
Good tools usually cost more money. Sharp chisels and sharp scrapers with the proper edge are an art to get just right. When they are right it sure makes for easier work. I always sharpen the chisels before I make a ebony saddle for a bridge. The time spent sharping saves in the work. I don't have an answer except generally Stanley would be fine.
-
Absolutely agree, deacon Mark! I'm willing to spend the money to get a good set. And I will be going to visit a friend who has been using woodworking hand tools for decades as a finish carpenter and house builder so he can show me how he sharpens his chisels, plane blades, etc. I have done some chisel sharpening with the Japanese wet stones and I can only get a sharp edge on one chisel made by Buck so that the wood makes those little ribbon curls. I think the other no name chisels can't be sharpened sufficiently and won't cut. Very frustrating! So, I am learning the hard way about the quality of tools. Thanks!
Originally Posted by deacon Mark
-
5 years ago I bought the top notch Summit Fret Tang Nipper, much better at the time than Stew Mac it was a different design. It paid for itself my opinion the first fret job I did. Made all other Fret Tang Nippers obsolete. That taught me a huge lesson because the tool was much more money. Originally Posted by Bill Eisele
-
Looks like youve been to Rockler. Lee Valley and Sorby have nice tools. Quality and hardening of steel most important. I prefer water stones as Arkansas are usually lubricated and was always worried about it migrating to the work. Buy a good Japanese or European, best one you can afford based on its build (look at hardness etc. ask questions) Im a retired cabinetmaker so from a time when you bought a tool to last your whole career. Im still using the stanleys given to me by my dad in the '60s although I have a collection of not very used beautiful chisels that I fantasized using on my "retirement" bench some day....mabey not. We left our stones out so there was never any excuse not to have a razor edge which will make your tool last forever and make your work cleaner faster and have "that look". Good luck and let us know what you get, chisels are almost as fun to look at as guitars!
-
Yes, I have been to Rockler and the other online stores you mention. And I have become aware of importance of the quality and the hardness of the steel used in the chisels. Based on your recommendation I will stick with the water stones. Yes, I have heard of people being given tools by their fathers and others and found them to be quite suitable for a lifetime of use. Someday I hope to have a proper setup with a workbench so that I can have everything at hand like the wet stones. I read online about a woodworker who bought one of each brand of chisel he was considering and then used his experience with each to help select an entire set. Seems like an interesting but expensive approach. Will definitely let you all know what I end up with. Thanks! Originally Posted by Rickco
-
For what it's worth, I once visited Wayne Henderson's shop. He had a brand new set of Two Cherry chisels that had been gifted to him. They were gathering dust.
I love my Sandvik scrapers and my Stanley chisels. I use the scary sharp method with one of these.
-
Great video I might have to get one of them. Originally Posted by enalnitram
-
Ive used one forever, with a water stone you can get them sharp enough to split atoms! The best sharpener I know uses water for chisels and arkansas for knives and gouges and shaped tools and never uses a fixture but he has an unusually good eye and for years did all the sharpening for the shops he worked for. For the rest of us humans that fixture is the short cut to a surgical edge on chisels. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
This is as much fun as talking about guitars!
-
Veritas and Lee Neilson is where I would spend my money if buying European. Very good quality steel.
On the other hand, if you want the finest cutting chisels, Japanese makers offer very good white a blue paper steel.
These seem good value.
Koshimitsu white paper steel chisels
A water stone is fine. Don't get carried away by marketing and such. In some part, the quality of the steel will determine the edge you get and how long it will last.
Chisels | FINE TOOLS
-
Absolutely, also remember harder isnt always better, gets sharper also dulls faster. Some of the best made in Archies country. Get a tool with a good reputation put an edge on it and get busy. Youll know how you feel about it after youve maintained its edge for a while. We always had our personal tools but would generally use the shops set, only after maintaining them for a while and comparing that to our general experience could we make a value judgement. 20 yrs ago our shop set was Marples (the sexy ones with wood handles) they took an edge well and they survived quite well serving the whole shop. I couldnt have said that 20 yrs ago. Originally Posted by Archie
-
Very true. Originally Posted by Rickco
I bought a set of Marples (the ones with the yellow plastic handles) and have found them very disappointing. The name used to mean something but like most things, I doubt these are even made in the UK.
There is renaissance underway in Sheffield to make good steal tools again. Clifton planes look very good. I still think the Japanese have the best materials and knowledge, although that is quickly dying.
-
I did a bit of looking into this about a year ago. Narex kept coming in high on wood workers lists while still being reasonably priced.
Amazon.com
-
Very true! If you’re going to buy a full set of chisels Narex seems like a good choice for a reasonable price. I almost went for a set of them. But I ended up buying two Japanese chisels and have found them to be of excellent quality and they hold a sharp edge. I like the ground hollow on the bottom of the chisel as it seems to lessen the force needed to make a cut. Originally Posted by Spook410
-
Been happy with the Narex set though I really don't put them through their paces like a real woodworker would.
As for sharpening, I think Japanese water stones are cool (though messy). And I like that there is a quarry somewhere in Arkansas putting out rock slabs hard enough to sharpen a chisel on. However I have found, based on owning a silly number of knives, that nothing beats diamond plates for a practical working edge. A little soapy water on them makes them very efficient though some don't like the micro scratches they can produce compared to water stones.
As for non-manual tools, you could go with the Wen sharpener which is kind of a bargain compared to the Tormek. Amazon.comLast edited by Spook410; 10-15-2024 at 05:39 PM.
-
Would that still apply to / be possible with their current production? Originally Posted by Rickco
I also had Stanley down as a brand of quality tools based on "dad knowledge" but I have the impression that this has been watered down considerably. No experience with chisels and similar tools though, and it's of course possible that I've only sampled their consumer-grade tools.
Those Koshimisus sure look sexy!. And treacherous ... a single one seems affordable enough to lure one into spending way too much
-
I wouldnt buy a stanley chisel nowadays and sad to hear marples quality went down the toilet. Sheffield tools were some of the best. The OP did the smart thing, a couple of good quality Japanese chisels should serve you well forever and you dont need a "set", nice to have but I used the same 3 chisels for most of my work. Now that Im retired I have the time to use the many beautiful european chisels and planes I collected over the years for my "Geppetto" shop I find looking at them more inspiring then using them now...Id rather play my guitar.
-
Here's a handful from Sheffield's glory days that I inherited from dad. Most came over from England with his dad in the 9-teens. All Marples except for a very skinny one I can't read, and the slick. It's a Canadian Champion!
Here's one out of the pile that dad used a lot as a finishing carpenter back in the days when butt chisels were actually used to set butt hinges:
So I guess I'm a chip off the old block(s). I got into cabinetmaking at 38 after trying to make a living with guitar for 20 years. I'm 70 now and will retire to a lot of guitar playing in a year or so. If my hands can take it :)
I have his full set of planes, drills etc. as well. He used to sharpen handsaws for all the guys on site for a nickel or something. A sharp tool was a tradesman's best friend back when. Dad said the biggest invention that changed everything on site was the skilsaw.
-
I choped all my hinge and hardware mortises with my chisels till my l ast day, In the '60s working with my dad it was all hand tools when I suggested that we purchase an electric saw his response was "what the hell you need that for were not a lumber mill!!!, If he was around now and saw a cell phone (especialy on a job) site hed a probably had a heart attack. Originally Posted by ccroft
Here's a handful from Sheffield's glory days that I inherited from dad. Most came over from England with his dad in the 9-teens. All Marples except for a very skinny one I can't read, and the slick. It's a Canadian Champion!
Here's one out of the pile that dad used a lot as a finishing carpenter back in the days when butt chisels were actually used to set butt hinges:
So I guess I'm a chip off the old block(s). I got into cabinetmaking at 38 after trying to make a living with guitar for 20 years. I'm 70 now and will retire to a lot of guitar playing in a year or so. If my hands can take it
I have his full set of planes, drills etc. as well. He used to sharpen handsaws for all the guys on site for a nickel or something. A sharp tool was a tradesman's best friend back when. Dad said the biggest invention that changed everything on site was the skilsaw.
-
Good for you man! I worked in a shop in '90 with a bunch of younger guys. I pulled out a Record shoulder plane dad had given me to adjust a router-cut tenon. I said there's a time for power tools and a time for hand tools. Smart-ass kid: "Yeah... the time for hand-tools was a hundred years ago." Good one! Originally Posted by Rickco
For me, finding the right bit, changing it, setting a jig, and plugging in a router was a lot more work than a chisel or plane for some jobs. The original cordless tools. That Record plane is worth more than a decent router these days BTW.
"Not a lumber mill" is hilarious. Your Dad and mine learned the trade when men were men.
-
I knew I shouldn't have clicked on this thread.
I can't add anything to the discussion on chisels, my go tos are an 'antique' Stanley set one I bought for 50p at a car boot sale - I do a little wood carving & Japanese carving tools, saws, sharpening stones etc are worth every penny, such a joy to use & they save so much time.
The time spent sharpening them very is theraputic too.
Currently resisting temptation on fine-tools.com.
Reply With Quote
A very special NGD: a custom build that brought my ideas to life.
Today, 06:11 PM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos