FloorPaint
Well-known member
I want to buy two sets of chisels (one good set and one beater set) as a Christmas gift for a close friend who’s a carpenter. Any recommendations?
Chisel Recommendations for a Carpenter?
- Thread starter FloorPaint
- Start date
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
See if you can find some new old stock buck bros, made in usa, good all around set. Robert Sorby makes some good ones, not too expensive. If you want to spend some money look at shibano.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Two Cherries from Germany. But, these are going to set you back $175 for the good set. DeWalt or Stanley for the cheap set.
RivennHewn
Well-known member
If I didn’t already have a million chisels, I’d be looking at these:
The do have a selection of chisels that could fit your needs
www.leevalley.com
The do have a selection of chisels that could fit your needs
Veritas PM-V11 Bench Chisels - Lee Valley Tools
Discover the Veritas Pm-V11 Bench Chisels. Buy this product now on our Lee Valley online store.
www.leevalley.com
strutaeng
Well-known member
What kind of carpenter is your friend? A framer? As in residential framer?
A timber framer?
A cabinetmaker?
A furniture maker?
A concrete formwork carpenter? I don't think those guys use chisels, but I may be wrong here.
Please be more specific so guys can give logical advice.
I suppose a Luthier is also a carpenter too?
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
The difference between "good" chisels and "bad" ones has very little to do with metal used or even the handles. It is all about the filing (a wood chisel should never get so bad as to require a file) honing on multiple grit stones.
RTM
Well-known member
And if you can file it, it's definitely not a good one.
If you aren't hung up on brand, Narex makes some nice stuff. I have a few special purpose ones of theirs
I have a Lee Valley set, but not the PM 11 noted above, as my main bench users
Marples Blue handle were fairly decent, not certain anymore .
My beaters are vintage Stanley to loan to neighbors.
If you aren't hung up on brand, Narex makes some nice stuff. I have a few special purpose ones of theirs
I have a Lee Valley set, but not the PM 11 noted above, as my main bench users
Marples Blue handle were fairly decent, not certain anymore .
My beaters are vintage Stanley to loan to neighbors.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Yea, we need to know what kind of carpenter. I would be afraid to give any chisel to any carpenter I know except just one trim carpenter.
I have some marbles/blue chips that are good carpenter grade chisels but they are 10 plus years old.
I also have some narex which are a step up and some Roy isles morticing chisels and Ashley isles bench chisels. They are really nice
I have some marbles/blue chips that are good carpenter grade chisels but they are 10 plus years old.
I also have some narex which are a step up and some Roy isles morticing chisels and Ashley isles bench chisels. They are really nice
OP
FloorPaint
Well-known member
He’s a residential framer and finish carpenter.
OP
FloorPaint
Well-known member
engineer2
Well-known member
I thought there was a high-end German set that everyone knew and loved.
One of my first posts here suggested the use of wood chisels for something other than their intended purpose. Can't remember what. I got flamed badly and thought I would be banned from GJ. When I said it was a cheap HF set, I was forgiven, LOL.
One of my first posts here suggested the use of wood chisels for something other than their intended purpose. Can't remember what. I got flamed badly and thought I would be banned from GJ. When I said it was a cheap HF set, I was forgiven, LOL.
OP
FloorPaint
Well-known member
I have to admit, I thought people would know I was talking about a residential framing and finish carpenter based on my reference to a beater set. I didn’t realize that other types of carpenters like to abuse their chisels too.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Probably two cherries. They are decent.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
The dewalt set set at HD is a good set, made in England, lot of good chisles came from England. Probably a good beater set for the price.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
@FloorPaint
From a fellow chisel abuser,
stay away from the thru-tang Stanley Fatmax...RIP little guy.
From a fellow chisel abuser,
stay away from the thru-tang Stanley Fatmax...RIP little guy.From a practical viewpoint, these are great for framing and finish carpentry. We're not building a piano bench here.
As many complaints as I have about fastcap stuff, these serve me well. No nasty gashes from an exposed blade. Folds up compact. Takes a beating. Steel is pretty soft but it will take a pretty good edge.
Pocket Chisel Kit / Pocket Chisel Tools - FastCap
www.fastcap.com
Having done a bit of framing and finish carpentry myself, a 3/4” folding chisel for the nail bag would be perfect and get him a better set for the finer work. I refer to the one in my nail bag as a “**** chisel”. You’ll be scraping “it” with it, beating “it” out of it, and just generally abusing it. No sense having a good chisel for that.
I can’t speak much about good chisels though. My “good” set is a 20+ y.o. Set of Stanleys…
I can’t speak much about good chisels though. My “good” set is a 20+ y.o. Set of Stanleys…
MBfreak
MEMBER EMERITUS
I have been into guitar repairs and builds.
Japanese small woodwork chisels are totally outstanding.
Ola
Japanese small woodwork chisels are totally outstanding.
Ola
Dave455
Well-known member
Sadly, it hasn’t!
The slightly older Marples chisels were British made, and O.K. quality, if not as top end as some. The steel was decent and they were hardened throughout.
Sadly, the “Irwin Marples” versions are basically imitations, and nowhere near as good.
If you like British made chisels, then the Robert Sorby are decent. Their steel certainly seems to be good, as is the grinding.
Personally, I slightly prefer Henry Taylor chisels. I have a couple of their “Firmer” pattern which I like, but a friend has purchased some of these “socket” chisels, which looked to be superb quality.
If you like a “shatterproof” chisel then the only current British maker are Crown, who offer these. The prices are very fair, but I haven’t used these and I can’t say how good the steel is. For the money, probably o.k. but not up with the Sorby or Taylor.
The German made Kirschen chisels (called “Two Cherries in the U.S.) are nice. The steel is a frac softer than some, but easily sharpened and nice to use.
They offer shatterproof too. I use a set of these for finer work, my old Marples for heavier tasks, and the Henry Taylor when I want “Firmer” pattern.
I appreciate that all this imported stuff can work out more costly than domestic for you. The British and German tools are probably half the price this side of the pond than they generally are in the U.S. but hopefully currency exchange rates work in your favour at present.
I would very much like to try a set of the Japanese made Kakuri. They are one of the few Japanese makers to offer “shatterproof” handles, which I prefer. Available through Lee Valley in the U.S.
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RTM
Well-known member
Are you saying the LV are Kakuri, or LV are shatterproof? (FYI, that looks like my set.)
strutaeng
Well-known member
Understood.
How good are you with sharpening or honing chisels? I while back I was doing a lot of hand tool woodworking... cutting tenons with a tenon saw, handcut dovetails, mortising with a mortising chisel, etc. I got pretty decent and built some nice furniture. I took some time to learn how to properly hone chisels, irons on hand planes and it was well worth it.
Even a cheap set of chisels well honed with mirror finish is a joy to use. I had bought a Narex bench chisel set and the factory finish was decent, but honing them turned into something much better, as well as the cheap Stanley and Craftsman stuff I owned. I haven't done furniture building in a while now, but the honing process I found very rewarding and relaxing.
So maybe consider TWO sets of cheap chisels (or a cheap and a mid-level set depending on budget,) one set honed by you as a personal touch. Spend the money on a nice honing kit and put that in the gift. I think he's going to be delighted.
Sharpening Lie-Nielsen Toolworks
Even the best tools are little use with a dull cutting edge. While experts often debate over the best sharpening practices and equipment, we recommend a simple, reliable method that produces a razor edge in minutes. Our Sharpening Instructions PDF, offers a detailed guide that will help you...
www.lie-nielsen.com
Tynee
Well-known member
I'm the furthest thing there is from a woodworker, and definitely NOT a chisel expert, BUT my boys were given a set of Narex by their grandfather as a Christmas gift. I was impressed by them, they seemed to be of very high quality steel, took a very nice edge with proper sharpening, down to a leather strop, and have held up pretty well to the abuse of two pre-teen boys.
I believe they have a 6-piece set similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GPCG5BA/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I think I'd consider that a "nice" set, and look for something cheaper for the beaters, but that's more dependent on taste/preference.
PBCampbell
Well-known member
Carpenter chisels are **** chisels, acetate handle with metal cap for striking with your hammer for chucking out notches in 2x framing lumber. I wouldn't bother with anything like posted previous as they're going to be abused. The basic set of 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch is all that's needed. For finish carpentry I'm not sure, maybe a paring chisel for sneaking up on a fit, probably 3/4 would do it. You should see if you can get a better idea of his intended uses. Narex have had a good reputation since they started selling in North America, but I would settle for Stanleys or something similar that could be bought locally.
milkovich
Well-known member
A set of nice chisels in 1", 3/4, and 1/2 would be a great gift especially if someone flattened and sharpened them ahead of time. I think some of the woodworking stores will do that for an up charge, even if it was ONE pre-sharpened 3/4" chisel, it'd be a great gift. Nothing beats a flat chisel that's easy to sharpen. It takes a half hour (or more) to flatten a new chisel sometimes. For a beater/demolition set, They still make a US buck brothers chisel and the dewalt at HD is "made in England."
An 8" DMT diamond plate or nice Japanese synthetic whetstone would be a great gifts too. I have a naniwa 10k Super Stone and it's really great, I don't even bother with a strop or compound. It's deadly right off the stone and it's FAST. If you're in the middle of building something, you want that speed so you can get back to the wood instead of spending a bunch of time sharpening.
An 8" DMT diamond plate or nice Japanese synthetic whetstone would be a great gifts too. I have a naniwa 10k Super Stone and it's really great, I don't even bother with a strop or compound. It's deadly right off the stone and it's FAST. If you're in the middle of building something, you want that speed so you can get back to the wood instead of spending a bunch of time sharpening.
I have a set of Buck Bros that hang in the garage and a set of something blue handled that ride in the go-box.
Your friend probably needs something decent but not real expensive for a good set and something regular from the big box store for the abusive set.
Your friend probably needs something decent but not real expensive for a good set and something regular from the big box store for the abusive set.
I'll toss in an off the wall suggestion. Framers generally have the most beat to **** chisels you have ever seen. Sharpening might consist of occasionally slapping them against a belt sander. For day to day, a set of Stanley or Buck Brothers from HD are all that's required. But if you want to give him something usual, high end, and occasionally useful to a framer, Get him a slick. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00866TDY4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Toolfool
Well-known member
I've had this set with the blue handles for years (can't remember where I got them). They're a solid piece of steel wrapped in a rubber handle. They hold an edge well considering how I have used them at times. And they're great for cleaning the bottom of a plowed-out notch in 2x material. Not something to carry in your pouches, but great to have available in the toolbox.
Dave455
Well-known member
dutchgray
Well-known member
None of the British toolmakers have held up under Irwin ownership.
I do look for good condition old Marples or Stanley blue plastic handled chisels, the old ones were plenty good enough for general carpentry.
The really old Stanley's were black plastic handled, those are the best of the type if you can find a good one.
I have no need for really good chisels in my line of work, wooden handles need to be used with a mallet and on site the likely hood of someone picking up your chisel and ruining it with a hammer is too high.
neophyte
Well-known member
The English made Stanley Sweetheart chisels are considered good. Usually about $120-$200 for a 4 or 8 piece set.
The Englidh made stanley chisels have slways had a reputation for good steel that takes a fine edge.
This also includes the less expensive Acetate handled chisels that are also English made, and which used to be carried by Lowes.
Lie Nielsen is basically the same design as the Stanley Sweetheart Chisels, but with better steel and a better hardening and tempering process.
Thr machining is also better, and the chisels only need a light hone out of the package to cut keenly. The Stanley’s will require more work.
The Lie Nielsen chisels are the definition of heirloom and pro quality tools.
The Lie Nielsen chisels are US Made.
Next is
Wilh. Schmitt & Comp.
GmbH & Co. KG
They make the Hirsch, Kirschen, and Two Cherries brands. I think they also may have made chisels for Ulmia in the past, and possibly one or more other brands.
The steel holds a fine edge.
They over polish the chisels, so the back sometimes need extra flattening.
They would be one of my go tos for chisels.
They come in an acetate handled version and a wood handled version.
Made in Germany.
MHG chisels.
Also made in Germany.
Different manufacturer than Schmitt.
Also makes wood chisels for other companies/brands, as an OEM.
May also have made or makes Ulmia branded chisels.
I haven’t used them, but they seem to have a similar reputation for quality as the Schmitt brands.
Stubai.
Made in Austria.
Similar quality to the Schmitt chisels.
Usually only available in the US in sets of around 6 pieces.
The Stubai, Schmitt, and MHG chisels are available in a very wide range of widths in case the user wants to expand their chisel set later.
Finding the extra sizes in the US can be problematic for the brands other than Hirsch/Two Cherries.
Robert Sorby.
Venerable UK chisel manufacturer.
The chisels with wood handles look really nice.
Expensive, but not quite to the level of Lie Nielsen.
Veritas.
The Veritas chisels use an unusual construction
Since the chisels are machined from a flat piece of steel rather than forged.
Supposedly hold an edge really well.
Are more expensive than Lie Nielsen chisels.
I haven’t used the chisels but lits of people love them.
Ashley Iles.
Another Enhlish chisrl manufacturer.
Also considered very good.
Narex.
Lots of people like these.
Made in the Czech Republic.
Steel holds a keen edge.
I have an older set and was not impressed with the machining or wood handles.
They have newer sets that may be better.
Price wise, Stubai, and Stanley, and Narex are likely the best deals.
It really depends on how much you want to spend.
The German brands are usually available with plastic handles with may be better for jobsites.
OP
FloorPaint
Well-known member
Thanks for the thorough assessment and recommendation!Sadly, it hasn’t!
The slightly older Marples chisels were British made, and O.K. quality, if not as top end as some. The steel was decent and they were hardened throughout.
Sadly, the “Irwin Marples” versions are basically imitations, and nowhere near as good.
If you like British made chisels, then the Robert Sorby are decent. Their steel certainly seems to be good, as is the grinding.
Personally, I slightly prefer Henry Taylor chisels. I have a couple of their “Firmer” pattern which I like, but a friend has purchased some of these “socket” chisels, which looked to be superb quality.
If you like a “shatterproof” chisel then the only current British maker are Crown, who offer these. The prices are very fair, but I haven’t used these and I can’t say how good the steel is. For the money, probably o.k. but not up with the Sorby or Taylor.
The German made Kirschen chisels (called “Two Cherries in the U.S.) are nice. The steel is a frac softer than some, but easily sharpened and nice to use.
I appreciate that all this imported stuff can work out more costly than domestic for you. The British and German tools are probably half the price this side of the pond than they generally are in the U.S. but hopefully currency exchange rates work in your favour at present.
I would very much like to try a set of the Japanese made Kakuri. They are one of the few Japanese makers to offer “shatterproof” handles, which I prefer. Available through Lee Valley in the U.S.
OP
FloorPaint
Well-known member
That’s a lot of great information! Thank you!
RTM
Well-known member
I need to go look harder at the set I own. Thanks
Dave455
Well-known member
Kakuri - Made in Japan, and sold worldwide as “Kakuri”
Made in Japan for Lee Valley Tools
I don’t actually own a set of these, but I like Japanese chisels generally, and I like shatterproof handles, so I would be interested to hear your thoughts on them.
I know some carpenters love wooden handles, but for most folks, certainly contractors, and me, the shatterproof are vastly superior!
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Watch YouTube.
If you have the time and the proper stones, you can make cheap HF chisels pretty darn good ! Same with their planes.
If you have the time and the proper stones, you can make cheap HF chisels pretty darn good ! Same with their planes.
wopchop
Member
I carry the Hultafors EDC chisels now for site work, and I really like them.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Nice! The HDC is my all-around use chisel. Love the flat offset. And the holster attaches to my pants.
You can get them sharp. they won't stay that way. they're not bad for beating with a hammer on a job site, though. The planes are garbage, and best left in the store.
wopchop
Member
Yeah, the holster is a nice feature.Nice! The HDC is my all-around use chisel. Love the flat offset. And the holster attaches to my pants.