Chisel Recommendations for a Carpenter?

[seber]

for a cabinet maker those beautifully made chisels like Sorby are great. For a carpenter nothing will do but socket chisels. Carpenters hit them with a hammer. Socket chisels just get new handles when they are beat to death. A carpenter can rehandle one in a few minutes with whatever wood is around.

 

[ez-duzit]

Good recommendations on the Two Cherries, Sorby and Veritas. Possibly add Lie Nielsen. Avoid the Marples with blue plastic handles--cheap junk. I also favor my Japanese chisels but, like sushi, they might be considered an acquired taste. I would get just one set of really good chisels, rather than dilute the budget with a crappy set.

 

[RTM]

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 Kakuri

I have to admit I have not noticed the Made in Japan before today, in the past 7 or so years I have not recalled seeing it.

Here they are back in 2007 when I built my under bench tool chest.




They’ve been used some, not tons, and most are on their initial sharpening / honing. Guess I don’t get my Keen Observer badge (again). There are 4 Noitgedagt (Netherlands), which are fine tools, but pricey if you can find them.

There are lots more in and around that drawer now.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I like the Narex from Czech Republic, good quality and reasonable price point.
I have an incomplete set and a bunch of mortise chisels from R Sorby. I love these but more expensive.
I do a lot of woodworking but still can’t bring myself to choke on the wad of money for Lie Neilson.

 

[alinc100]

Watch YouTube.

If you have the time and the proper stones, you can make cheap HF chisels pretty darn good ! Same with their planes.

In the time it takes to get a HF chisel or plane up to spec,I can likely get 2-3 high quality chisels or plane blades sharpened and ready for use.

Two Cherries makes very good chisels, as does the high end Japanese imports. I've not used the Narex chisels,but have not heard bad things. The Kakuris from Lee Valley look promising. I mostly do commercial interior finish now,for many years I was a bench carpenter working on autoshow/tradeshow displays. My go to in portable chisels is vintage Stanley 750's and a set of plastic handle Stanleys with the steel striking cap I've had since apprenticeship days in the 1980's. At home where (I used to) do a lot more woodworking/furniture building I have a rack of chisels including older Marples blue handled chisels and Lie Nielsen chisels with vintage chisels mixed in. What really made all the difference is when I finally understood how to sharpen and chose the path of waterstones. It made for a much better experience.
Lee Valley has an excellent return policy and I'll throw another vendor out as well,with a great website for knowledge and quality products is http://toolsforworkingwood.com/ Joel is very wise man,carries several brands/types of chisels and other tools as well,and has a favorable return policy. The pic below was when I first made my chisel rack,I ended up selling the Japanese chisels for a profit and bought the Lie Nielsens. https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-japanese-chisels-10-pc.-set/g7102

Bevel Edge Chisels Lie-Nielsen Toolworks

Based on the Stanley 750 Bevel Edge Socket Chisels, our Bevel Edge Chisels have excellent balance and are particularly comfortable in the hand. The edges are square, parallel along the length, and very narrow, so you can get into tight places. They are made of A2 Tool Steel, hardened to Rockwell...

www.lie-nielsen.com

 

[turbowoodworker]

Agree. Yes with a little work you can make an HF chisel cut pretty well. But it won’t hold that edge very long and you’ll be right back honing again. Good metallurgy has a cost and I’m guessing that is why there are so many price points in cutting tools.

 

[FloorPaint]

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.

Lee Valley Tools has a similar set. https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...067-all-steel-carpenters-chisels?item=44S1150

 

[Clarkmag]

I have been buying rusty old chisels and trying to copy the Stanley sweetheart everlast egg shaped handle [bottom of pic].

 

[alinc100]

I have been buying rusty old chisels and trying to copy the Stanley sweetheart everlast egg shaped handle [bottom of pic].

those look great,look comfortable too.

 

[Davefr]

Carpenter/builders don't need high end chisels nor do they take care of them like a cabinet maker. For that set I'd get him a Buck Bros USA set which is decent enough as the beater set. For the high end chisel I'd recommend buying from one of the famous Japanese blacksmiths. They are expensive so maybe buy just one or two. https://www.japan-tool.com/