Which Chisels to buy

[deema]

I have been lucky enough to receive a bonus that I was not expecting. I have always wanted a really smart set of chisels, and rather than buying old, I was wondering if any if the new stuff is really top draw. I have been looking at the Blue Spruce chisels, however they don't have any bench chisels, only dove tail chisels. Does any one have any dovetail chisels, and what are they like what else are they suitable for.

I have also been looking at the Veritas PM -va11 chisels. They only have a very limited set, again does any one have any and are they any good.

Any other suggestion?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Harbo]

Dovetail chisels - for cutting DT's
The Veritas chisels are supposedly very good, but why not buy some Ashley Iles - they are excellent and made in the UK?

Rod

 

[marcros]

Or the ray Iles set, with boxwood London pattern handles?

 

[Peter Sefton]

For good quality bench work the AI are very good value I have them in all my students tool kits. We do stock the AI Dovetail chisels but to be fair they are a bit specialised.
If you want to spoil yourself the Veritas O1 are very good chisels and I recommend them without hesitation. I have some PMV11 in my demo kit but find I reach for the O1 first.
If you want any advice give us a call at the shop

Cheers Peter

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If you're not sure how good they are and what they are suitable for - you don't need them.

 

[deema]

Hi Peter,

I really appreciate the offer to give you a call. I will give you a call.

Hi Phil P,

You have a good point, which I appreciate. I have never come across dedicated dovetail chisels before. A standard bevel edge chisel has always sufficed which for very finance dovetails have had the bevels taking down to meet the back. There is no were that I can find in the UK that stocks the Blue Spruve product and they are rather expensive to order only to discover that they are so thin that they are fairly useless for anything else.

Oh for a outlet that stocked all the seriously nice stuff so you could make a proper selection from handling seeing and trying each variety. I would on principle support them, regardless of the few schedules cheaper stuff may be the in internet.

 

[Harbo]

Classic Hand Tools for one sell Blue Spruce stuff and other good makes.
Workshop Heaven sell Ashley Ilse and Narex and I'm sure Peter Sefton sells a good range too?

Rod

 

[Peter Sefton]

We do stock a fair range Narex, AI, Sorby, Veritas and now WoodRiver I did get a set of Blue Spruce in for a customer which looked very nice but too nice to hit! I have used them all including Ray Iles Pig stickers. That's one of the perks of the job!
Cheers Peter

 

[marcros]

If you are after a nice set because everything you have are oddments, I would discount the blue spruce. They are really a set for very fine cabinet work and you would still be wanting a set for using with a mallet. If you were to buy blue spruce now, you would still be in the same position because you wouldn't use them for general work.