What make of chisel is good enough for retired makee learnee

[Yorkshire Sam]

I am a dabbler at woodwork. Didn't start till in my 60's. Still learning. Been following the threads on which chisel types and purchase advice... Got a few chisel ... mainly from ebay.. boot sales up here are pants ... most of the good tools are 'filtered' before they get there. Got a small range of chisel but its really beginning to annoy me that I have a shelf full of chisels of which there are no two alike. Handles all differ slightly ... makers range from Marples, Taylor, tyzak and Stormont ... etc. I love my Stormont chisels but I don't have the resources or time to hunt around sales or auctions to obtain a full set of sizes I use and having mismatched sets are really beginning to spoil my enjoyment of wood butchery.
I am still learning and would like to buy a set of chisels that all have the same feel, look and balance that can be sharpened and worked quite reasonably. Now bear in mind my age, I am still a learner, I have no wish to spend the kind of money to buy a super dooper set of chisels ie Veritas etc. Besides which they would be totally wasted on me as I have not the skill nor dedication to appreciate them nor have I anyone who I can leave them to, and am unlikely to ever do the type of work which calls for them. But I would like a set of chisels or at least a set of the sizes which I use commonly but am not sure what maker produces good, middle of the road chisels using reasonable steel. can anyone point to or recommend a maker of modern chisels produced from reasonable steel?

 

[Woodmonkey]

Look out for the Aldi ones which they stock every so often they are suprisingly good quality for not much money as many on here will tell you. I bought a set after reading positive reviews on here and they are excellent (bearing in mind I am not a pro)

 

[Mr_P]

None of my chisels match and it doesn't bother me. Great Sheffield steel, brass ferrules and boxwood handles what more could I want ?

I have also heard great things about the aldi ones.

 

[tobytools]

Hi Sam,
I'll offer what help I can, tho you didn't mention what type of chisels you want in sets.
I used to just buy every chisel, plane, any tool really I could find at first, and the stress of having odd this and that drove me crazy, I too like matching stuff but not enough to want a whole set, a full set is IMHO just for show especially for the like of you and me (newbies)
This is my set of chisels Ashley iles mk2 bevel edge chisels still never used the smaller size around £20 a pop great tools, another Ashley iles mk2 dt chisel used but protective cover put back on top. I like these chisels because the are good value, not much work needed out the box and matching
Next some small mortice chisels (carboot, different makers but same style handles and visually I'm happy with that. And lastly some very cheap footprint firmer chisels (paint was chipped so I sanded the handles) these are chopping and ruff workers
Apart from my AI chisels the rest cost me about £3 and an hours work sorting out. I recommend you invest in some newer chisels if matching sets ect are important to you. But in reality you will usually reach for a certain sized chisels over and over again,
Worst comes to worse turn you own matching handles

End of the day it's not the tools it's what you do with them
All the best mate
Thanks
TT

 

[tobytools]

I have other chisels that don't match, paring chisels, other mortice chisels, carving chisels and turning chisels. This day and age you have to pay for a beautiful matches set, auctions like David stanly oftern sell nice sets if you can make it to one of those
A great day out but if your like me will cost you and arm

Cheers
TT

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The Aldi ones are £7.99 when on offer, I think, and are quite usable. Narex are definitely worth looking into. What's wrong with mismatched handles? It's an advantage in use - you know which chisel is what size. I wouldn't want matched ones. I'd rather have duplicates of a few sizes I use all the time, so when I stop for sharpening I can do a few at the same time. It saves stopping mid job.

 

[tobytools]

Ok I've had a think about it and this is what I propose, I have a favourite chisel who dosent! Tho it is a bit of a not needed chisel due to size and what it's capable of ect, so I did a little custom job to suit my current needs and minor OCD (matched)
Chisel in question is a 1" sorby chisel, beech handle ect ect, I don't own a butt chisel and some argue it's not needed, well I want one and an AI one will costs x amount that I don't have, so I'll make this (fave) into on.

As the pics show I did the unthinkable and cut the handle drastically once sanded smooth and to naked wood I used a combination or leather dyes (these are the bees knees in restoration jobs) and at £5 a tub (last several life times) it's not bad, dyes are from J Hewitt &sons ltd.
once I mixed the solution with meths and was happy with it, as with all stains test of spare piece. Ok happy..
Do a few coats, then add a small amount of French Polish to make it shine. Wait then light wax.
And presto my new AI butt chisel.
The coulour will die down once fully dried then I'll wax again.
I was thinking of cutting the tang down but this will do for now.

If you want a set custom you odds and sods to make one. Dosent take long
Hope this was helpfull, sorry if it seems I've hijacked your thread.

Thanks
TT

 

[bugbear]

Got a small range of chisel but its really beginning to annoy me that I have a shelf full of chisels of which there are no two alike. Handles all differ slightly ... makers range from Marples, Taylor, tyzak and Stormont ... etc. I love my Stormont chisels but I don't have the resources or time to hunt around sales or auctions to obtain a full set of sizes I use and having mismatched sets are really beginning to spoil my enjoyment of wood butchery.

As long as you have the sizes you need, I think it's an advantage to have a mix; it makes identification easier, so you can
pick up the right tool.

BugBear

 

[swb58]

Got a small range of chisel but its really beginning to annoy me that I have a shelf full of chisels of which there are no two alike. Handles all differ slightly ... makers range from Marples, Taylor, tyzak and Stormont ... etc. I love my Stormont chisels but I don't have the resources or time to hunt around sales or auctions to obtain a full set of sizes I use and having mismatched sets are really beginning to spoil my enjoyment of wood butchery.

As long as you have the sizes you need, I think it's an advantage to have a mix; it makes identification easier, so you can
pick up the right tool.

BugBear

Totally agree, I like reaching for handle knowing what's at the sharp end.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

I think it's probably fair to say that almost all 'reasonable' makes of modern chisel have decent steel. The only ones to avoid are the real bargain basement ones (though as others have said, even some of those are quite fair).

To get a matched set, the most cost-effective way is probably to keep an eye on Ebay - anything 'old Sheffield' will be decent, and sets do crop up. Another way might be to buy unhandled (or really grotty handled) chisels, and make new handles to your own taste.

Of the current makers, Ashley Isles are superb for genuine bevelled-edged chisels, but at about £25 a chisel, not cheap. Robert Sorby are good for firmers and paring chisels, but I'm not sure how fine the lands are on their b/e chisels. Crown Tools may be worth a look, too. One downside of many modern makers is that they don't do really small sizes (1/8" b/e is very useful, and 1/16" is invaluable on occasions too - one up to Ashley Iles, who do both).

I'm not sure how worthwhile it is to go for some of the modern 'hard' steels. The price premium seems to be considerable for these chisels, and whether the extra edge life is worth the extra money must be a personal decision. Given that sharpening chisels is quick and easy, I'd tend to go for O1 or old Sheffield steel with it's better edge-taking capacity.

 

[J_SAMa]

Methinks modern chisels are much more expensive than vintage ones but do not offer to much performance advantage.

My main users are some Stanley 5001 and 5002, and Marples Blue Chip. I think Marples had the edge over Stanley (no pun intended) in chisel making. Their chisels have slightly better balance, side bevels are finer and the square handles register a bit better. I think the Stanley's are made of harder steel and they really last long (outlast even my Two Cherries). Search on eBay for them. They are quite common and more often than not are in sets (usually 1/4", 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4). These chisels have got everything you need (except for wooden handles which you don't really "NEED").
A tip for using the Blue Chip chisels is to shorten the handle on the smaller chisels by about 1". Smaller chisels tend to be top heavy and this can help reduce some weight.

On a side note, for some reason, all the Stanley chisels I've got are either slightly bent where the blade tapers into the socket or have handles fitted a bit out of alignment with the blade. I don't really notice anything when using them and even mallet blows don't seem to be affected by this. Hard to even see it's there. Probably just mistreated by previous owners.

 

[J_SAMa]

Oh and I've got a couple of Footprint firmers for mortising. I prefer them over true mortise chisels due to Paul Seller's teaching.

 

[JimB]

The old Marples take a lot of beating. They really did last to the last inch as advertised. My immediate reach is for my blue chips which I bought new some forty-five years ago. The only trouble with secondhand is if someone has ground them hot and taken the temper away.
Like others I was surprised with the Aldi quality. I bought them just to see thinking they'd make good tin openers if nothing else, but they hold an edge very well.

 

[tobytools]

After this thread I had a look on eBay and saw these BIN £20 all in.
I couldn't resist... You don't get much cheaper than that and I know these are quality (Sheffield) they arnt that old, I've googled the company and tbh not much known or maby I haven't looked hard enough.

http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forum ... all-tools/

I'm rather happy with the purchase. Get on the bay that's your est bet for a set

Thanks
TT

 

[bugbear]

After this thread I had a look on eBay and saw these BIN £20 all in.

Did you mean "NIB" (new in box) ?

BugBear

 

[Woodmonkey]

He meant Buy It Now

 

[tobytools]

After this thread I had a look on eBay and saw these BIN £20 all in.

Did you mean "NIB" (new in box) ?

BugBear

:shock: lol
It's eBay slang for "buy it now"
Keep up BB

Woodmonkey I can tell you love the bay (hammer)

TT

 

[Jacob]

Chisels are simple things. Almost all of them are OK. I'd concentrate on sharpening and using them - it won't make much difference to your woodwork whatever the brand is. Just a few sizes is enough for almost everything - nobody needs a "set"; they aren't like socket spanner sets.

 

[tobytools]

Chisels are simple things. Almost all of them are OK. I'd concentrate on sharpening and using them - it won't make much difference to your woodwork whatever the brand is. Just a few sizes is enough for almost everything - nobody needs a "set"; they aren't like socket spanner sets.

I agree with part of what your saying about sets you don't need every size under the sun if you do that's fine. If I had the space and money I would, we all would.

I however disagree about the brand makes no difference, when we all know it does..

Maby one day your change your views on chisel sets, as I now know you own and use a jigg "evolution"


Thanks
TT

 

[Jacob]

...

Maby one day your change your views on chisel sets, as I now know you own and use a jigg "evolution"
...

Woss that then? :shock: