Chisel Recommendation
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- This topic has 10 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 11 months ago by Al Livingstone.
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25 April 2019 at 8:01 pm #557060
I have purchased a set of Narex bevel edge chisels and am disappointed in them. They get a fine edge and cut great for about 5 minutes and then rapidly lose their edge. My plan is to eventually replace them, but the question is with what? Am I better off to piece together a set of Marples or Sorby from eBay or should I look at a different modern maker? I was hoping to avoid the price of Veritas or Lie Nielsen, although I know you oft get what you pay for. Thanks in advance for input.
26 April 2019 at 3:12 am #557091I bought a 3/8″ Narex chisel to fill a gap in my set of 1980’s Marples bluechip chisels. I was really impressed with how well it cut. I’m planing on ordering a few more Narex gap fillers. One of these days I’m going to treat myself to a Veritas PM-11 chisel to compare.
26 April 2019 at 3:19 am #557092A lot of times narex’ need to be sharpened to get past an over tempered edge. Its soft a little way behind the dge and will clear up after 2-3 sharpenings
27 April 2019 at 4:18 am #557232If you don’t mind the dead ugly handles you may try the MHG chisels. They are made in Germany and they have a lot of good reviews (also they are recomended by PS on the Common Woodworking site) and in the UK they cost £80 for a set of 6 chisels. If you can afford the price (and you are prepared to wait) the Ashley Illes are supposed to be an excellent choice at cost much lower than the Veritas or LN. But first try to sharpen a few more times the Narex that you already have to get past to the soft part of metal (as already @deanbaker sugested).
Check out Ashley Iles Mk2 bevel edge chisels. O2 steel, which makes them easy to sharpen. They hold an edge well, have great balance-a pleasure to use, and I think they’re as good as the Lie-Nielsen chisels at half the cost. Be aware the backs are made with an intentional hollow of a couple of thousandths. Don’t try to lap them till the entire back is flat-just a little bit of lapping gives you the flat right at the edge.
Another vote for the Ashley Iles bevel edge chisels from me. I am very pleased with mine, there’s a sort of delicate feel and balance to them that encourages fine work. And they have a lifetime guarantee (your lifetime, that is). Finding them in stock can be tricky sometimes.
I also like some older chisels, presumably because of different steels. They can be cheap (especially if you are prepared to refurbish and/or re-handle with the help of Paul’s videos), but a bit hit and miss.
So my strategy has been a small set of AI, with a random selection of old chisels built up over time.For the AI with the hollow backs, put as much of the blade on the stone as possible and make short stabbing motions rather than going side to side. You’ll polish just the very tip, maybe even just 1/8″. The rest of the back will have the original manufacturer’s grinding marks. Take care to stay on the flat of the back and not the widening tang or you’ll put on a back bevel. According to Mr. Iles, because of the hollow, you should use this method and you shouldn’t just put the tip on the stone.
5 May 2019 at 5:05 pm #558098I’ve been looking at the AI chisels and like what I see. Now if only I can find them in stock in the US…
Thanks for recommendation.
5 May 2019 at 6:25 pm #558105Tools for working wood has individual chisels 3/8,1/2,1/8 “the best things”has a set of six in stocki
7 May 2019 at 4:34 am #558203And another ‘Thumbs up’ for the Ashley Iles chisels. I find they are very well balanced and take and hold an edge well. I’ve used them on White oak, Ash, Cherry and Pine. I dealt with ‘TheBestThings.com’ and can say they are super to deal with. Probably the best price in the US. I hope this helps you in making a choice.
AL.
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