I've been asking a lot of advice on what tools to buy lately. Thanks to the LJs for being there to help me talk it out.
After two or three years with an $8 set of chisels, they are approaching the top of my upgrade list.
I don't want to spend more than about $100 when the time comes. For that I can get a set of the Narex chisels. One Lie Nielsen or Veritas. I've seen a few other brands coming out of Germany where I could get a set of 4 for just over $100. I don't know why, but it kind of bother me that the german ones are all metric and oversized for their closest fractional equivalent.
Wondering if it is best to go with fewer higher end chisels, or a decent mid range set like the Narex. What do you guys think?
First what type of chisels, bench, mortising ect?
Norex seem to be a good middle or above of the road, I have a set of there Mortising and love them, came ready to use, I have 2 sets of bench chisels, a cheap set for abusive things, Stanley from the BBS, and believe it or not a set of True Value Hardware ones my dad bought in the 60s that are great and my fine work bench chisels.
I have the Narex set (bench and mortise) but ended up getting the Stanley S.W. because they felt a lot better and do keep there edge better also. Have also picked up a lot of old odds and ends chisels, some japanese, swedish, bunch of Old U.S. including some Stanely 750s and a complete set of 2 Cherries from Germany which have yet to to used! They are way to pretty! Really depends on intended use of the chisel, beater or detail work? The new Stanley are probably your best all round choice IMHO.
Brian, a year or so back I bought a set of 6 Two Cherry chisels from Jamestown distributing for around $150. I just checked. They've still got the same set for $145. Yeah, they are metric, I got to tell you they are amazing. They hold an edge like nobody's business. I've never regretted buying them. It's your money spend it how you please.
General purpose, I dont know if you are a Aldis shopper, there products are good, I heard hear there chisels are good to better when they have them in there weekly sale,never saw them here in WI.
I was in a similar position once, and after a lot of reading (mostly here), I decided to go for vintage chisels. Many people here swear by them, and even say that they are better than new ones.
I bought mostly James Swan chisels, on eBay, and some on Etsy. Other well respected vintage chisels that come to mind are Greenlee, Witherby. I was forced to learn how to get a chisel into its best shape-I cleaned, sometimes de-rusted (with electrolysis, which is really easy actually), and sharpened with the "scary sharp sandpaper system (which is also cheap and works really well).
The result was that I learned how to restore and sharpen a chisel, saved a lot of money (most chisels were between $10 and $25), and now have a beautiful, superbly working collection.
Just think about it, you will have to sharpen your chisels at some point anyway, new or old, the edge won't last forever. So start by learning how to do that, and just buy a couple of nice old chisels and re-sharpen them.
So are the new Stanley 750s actually metric too? I see they are made in England. Wouldnt that complicate things if your other measuring devices are all standard units?
I'm a proponent of the buying good quality individual chisels in the sizes that you will use rather than a set. One reason is that it allows you to purchase better quality tools, but the main consideration is that most sets do not have the size assortment of chisels needed. As an example, my most used chisels are 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 with occasional need of a wider chisel like 1in or so. There is not a single set that has these. Most are 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, & 1in. The 3/4 would be a waste of money for me and I would then have to go find a single 3/8.
I don't find that the imperial vs metric makes any difference. I can't think of any situation where an exact size is needed when you are working to mark and not to measure. In reality, the imperial sized chisels I have are not exact anyways-mostly just a bit undersized.
My "set" of users is all vintage socket chisels from a variety of makers that I turned matching handles for. This was the result of picking up a whole box of chisels at an auction for a bargain price. Pulled out the ones I wanted to keep and sold the rest for more than I paid for the box. If it wasn't for finding those, I would have gone with more Two Cherries, which I reviewed here
I'm partial to the Ashley Iles bench chisels at Tools for Working Wood. Very reasonably priced, I think, hold their edge forever in the nastiest stuff. I also agree that getting a set is a waste of money Get them individually as you need, or can foresee a need, then you won't have to spend money on tools you'll never use.
For general purposes, I'm happy with - believe it or not - a set of blue handled Irwin Marples.
I poo pooed them at first, but for heavy going like cleaning up mortises, they are great and hold an edge better than I expected. Yeah, you'll work getting the backs flat, but once that's done it done.
Where chisels separate is dovetails. You can get all of them sharp enough, but only some have a low side bevel height which prevents you from bruising the sides of the tails when chopping out the waste.
For your money I don't think you can go too wrong with a set of Narex (make sure you get the "premiums" they have a lower side bevel height).
Also keep in mind ergonomics of the handle. I have fairly big mitts and chisels like the Stanley and others are just too small for me. I also like a little weight. I don't have a lot of experience with different chisels, but I know for me, the Stanleys are too light and handle is too small. I don't think the edge retention is any better than the Narex.
My next chisel purchase will be a couple LN's.
I think the Ashely Liles have the lowest side bevel height of any chisel.
There is a very good chisel review on Fine WW'ing I suggest you check that out.
I am using a mixed set of Maples chisels - not the Irwin - but made in Sheffield. I keep them as sharp as I can. I have told my entire family that I want birthday / Christmas presents to be LN chisels. My priority is 1/2, 1/4, 3/8, 3/4, and 1". Hopefully over the next year I will get my set. I agree with JayT that 1/2, 1/4, 3/8 are by far my most used.
The Marples I got from Home Depot are fine for "whatever", I have em and use em all the time.
The best money spent on chisels IMHO are the beautiful Stanley Sweetheart. If you're on a budget like me they are terrific. I pop into my local Woodcraft and get one a month. I'm up to 6 now.
I consider them very well made, they take and keep a good edge. Out of the box I've only had to touch up the backs a bit and polish the edges.
If you've got the cash you can find the 4 piece set for less than $100.
There are better chisels out there but I'm not good enough or smart enough to need better ;-)
I emailed Veritas/Lee Valley about their Narex chisels. They are apparently made to standard sizes (not metric). They said the Sweethearts are actually metric. I still don't know why that bothers me. Probably if I got a mortise chisel in a standard size I wouldn't notice the others were metric.
I definitely use 1/4, 1/2 and 1" the most. In fact they are the only ones from my cheap set I have even sharpened. It would be about $180 for the three of those from LN. Or I could do the Narex set of 4 for $45, or the Stanley SHs for about $100.
I'd do the LNs over time if I went that way. I am probably over thinking this. I think it's because I have enough experience with my other tools to know where I will see value in a high end piece. Otherwise as much with chisels.
Interestingly enough I just ordered a set of the Hirsh Two Cherries after reading a lot of reviews. We'll see tomorrow when they come in! I do have a metric 3/4" (my most used size) Japanese chisel that is great but rather uncomfortable for a lot of "hand work". So I am hoping that with a little tuning, the Two Cherries set will work nearly as well and a lot more comfortable in the hand.
remeber return policies. If you are inclined, try a LN and send it back if you don't like it or feel buyers remorse. I'd be willing to bet the farm you probably won't.
I've only used cheap Buck Bros and Ace brands. I was in Highland Woodworking yesterday and took time to look at the Narex chisels. I'm thinking of adding the Premiums on my wish list.
On a recommendation I picked up the American made version Buck brothers chisels. As far as edge retention and use ability they are as good as the Stanley 750s I have.
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