Hello,
I was just having a bit of fun with my steel banter, really. I don't own any A2 chisels, but know more people who dislike them tan not, but that's their opinion, I suppose.
I do have some A2 plane irons, and like Hock ones best, though Veritas works too. Not sure if abrasion resistance is too important with chisels as with planes though.
It seems to me, and I may be wrong, but America does not do a lot of forgings of the type that make tools. Forging does add some character to the steel, take Clifton plane irons for example, forged and hammered to make superb tool steel. Even a few blows from a drop hammer (AI chisels) gives the steel some grain structure than a flat bar does not have. Now most US chisels we see are CNC machined from bar stock, so IMHO the exotic steels are as much a substitute for the lack of forge hammering as anything else. I have no problem with modern steels and metallurgists trying to give steel certain properties in various ways. It is all part of the fun and after all, all the good makes of tool work, and I am happy using them all. I do think the BS are lovely to look at and I'm sure nice to own, just as an old cast steel chisel with a user made replacement handle will do just as well (better?) and look as nice as the new owner wants to make it.
I have been toying with the idea of buying some AI chisels without handles and doing my own. To make a personal set over time. There is no rush, I have plenty of chisels, I just like an excuse to own more and make a ahem, vanity set! This thread has prompted me to do so.
Mike.
