What Chisels to buy... Narex? Kirschen?

[robin_shepherd]

Hello all,

I am preparing to buy my first set of decent chisels for finer work. My aim is to start practicing and refining hand skills in my work rather than relying on machining. My budget is £45-£60 and I would like a minimum of four chisels.

From my initial searching I found that Axminster do a set of 4 Kirschen chisels (http://www.axminster.co.uk/kirschen-118 ... chisel-set) and Workshop Heaven do a set of 6 Narex chisels (http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Nar ... ml#SID=374). I'm just wondering if people here have experience of working with these chisels and would recommend one set over the other? Or can recommend another quality brand in a similar price bracket?

Any help or info is much appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Lots of info on here with regard to this - try doing a search

Here's a recent discussion:

looking-for-advice-on-buying-chisels-t76161.html

Regards Mick

 

[MickCheese]

Robin

I find I use a 6mm or quarter inch chisel quite a lot and the Kirschen set does not have that so for me that would rule them out.

Jacob often comes onto these threads and says don't buy a set just get what you need and I think that is good advice.

So if a set is what you really want get one that has a narrow chisel as the smallest then see what else is included

I find I use 6mm 12mm 18mm and a 25mm mostly but maybe that is just because those are the once I pick up first.

I find I can always use a narrow chisel when a broader one would be better but you cannot do it the other way around, especially for cleaning out small dovetails or half blind dovetails.

Mick

 

[Cheshirechappie]

One of the things that differentiates a 'fine' chisel from the mass of chisels available is fineness of the side lands. Most modern 'bevel-edged' chisels are really firmers with the top corners ground off, leaving very wide lands on the bevel edges. That's fine for a chisel in use as a firmer, but is a flaw in a really fine bevel-edged chisel.

I can't talk about the Narex set, but I do have a couple of Kirschen chisels (ground up as skews, as it happens). They have thick lands, so for me don't make the cut as 'fine' chisels.

I think you're wise to limit the set to just a few. Nice though it is to have twenty different sizes, all work except a few really specialist jobs can be accomplished with quite a limited range. Chris Schwarz suggests 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" and 1 1/4". I'd go with 1/8", 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" to start with, and add the others later. (I find I use my 1/8" chisel a lot, far more than the big wide ones - but everyone has different ways of working.)

I think the choice of really fine bevel-edged chisels is actually quite limited. Lie-Nielsen, Veritas and Blue Spruce are somewhat outside the stated budget, so nice as they are, no go. I think that leaves a choice between Ashley Isles and vintage Sheffield from Ebay or dealers. If you're prepared to do a bit of refurbishment and fettling, go vintage. If you want new, go Ashley Iles and buy a few at a time. All six sizes will be a bit more than budget, but in the long run, you won't regret it.

 

[carlb40]

The lands on the Narex are a tad over 1mm thick. Not as fine as Lie Nielsen / Ashley Iles though.

 

[Grahamshed]

I brought a set of Narex from workshop heaven and for what they are I am well pleased with them...... But I looked at Ashley Iles at the same time and they are in a totally different class. As I said, I am happy with the Narex but quietly wish I had got the AIs even if it meant getting less of them.

 

[shed9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki8tt-VjwqI

+

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/t ... hisel-set/

£7.99 for four German chisels, ash handles, evidence of usability, they keep an edge; worth a punt I think - may pick some up myself.

That said, the Narex route via Workshop heaven would be my preference over Axminster given the service difference.

 

[robin_shepherd]

Thanks for all the replies. i will definitely go down the route of buying separate chisels as opposed to a set, that is a very helpful idea. I'm still weighing up the Ashley Iles vs Narex Cabinet Makers Chisels... And struggling to decide!

 

[Grahamshed]

I'm still weighing up the Ashley Iles vs Narex Cabinet Makers Chisels... And struggling to decide!

You need to be there and handle both

 

[carlb40]

Maybe order one of both in the same size and get a feel for them at home. Unless you can pop and see Mathew in banbury?

 

[Peter Sefton]

Thanks for all the replies. i will definitely go down the route of buying separate chisels as opposed to a set, that is a very helpful idea. I'm still weighing up the Ashley Iles vs Narex Cabinet Makers Chisels... And struggling to decide!

In my students tool kits they have AI bevel edge chisels and Narex Mortice chisels, if it helps you decide in this years crop of full time students Five bought sets of AI MK11, one bought Narex 8116 bevel edged cabinetmaker chisels and one student came with a set of Japanese chisels. My own chisels are AI and I have happily worked with for about 12 years.
The Narex set of six costs less than half the price of the AI at £135.00.
Cheers Peter

 

[rdesign]

I have the 6 chisel set of kirchner two cherry chisels! love them bout a 3 mm for fine work. the set had 6 mm 10mm 12 mm 14m 16mm and 20mm. I really like them and they r strong enough to hold a 25 degree edge. don't use a honing angle. personal preference.
Regards Rick