Looking for some good wood chisels

[Model A Fan]

I'm starting to develop my tastes for what kind of wood working I would like to do and am in search of some good chisels that will run the spectrum of common sizes. I can purchase new ones from places like Grizzly Industrial but they are mostly Chinese manufacture unless I step up to expensive ones from Japan ($20 a pop). I have this thing though, that I'd rather use American manufactured tools to make my projects, and I was thinking I'd go after some vintage American made chisels (or perhaps English or German depending on what I can find).

Any suggestions?

 

[rcktsled]

Buck Brothers chisels are still made in USA. Nice quality and available at Home Depot and Amazon.

 

[bczygan]

What kind of chisels and what kind of woodworking use for them?

Actually, most chisels aren't much different than each other.
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/editors-blog/low-can-go

I have a $7 set of 4 from ALDI's:

Or you could just throw down for these:
http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB082309

Bill

 

[crguy]

Lots of great old US made chisels on Ebay from makers like Barton, Swan, Witherby, White, etc.
I don't think the modern Buck Brothers stuff is that good. None of the modern cheap stuff is good. You get what you pay for.

 

[7th Kahuna]

some good chisels that will run the spectrum of common sizes.

As was asked above, what are you planning to use them for? Do you need the full spectrum of sizes. This comes up often in woodworking magazines, especially when talking about mortising chisels. The frequent answer is 'spend a little more for the chisels but only buy the ones you need'. You can always add others later. Personally, I started out with a basic set of Stanley bench chisels and have been adding additional, and better, chisels to the collection as I see deals on them. Mostly they are vintage chisels (and paint can openers ) I've picked up on garage sales.

 

[pendragon1998]

The new Stanley SW chisels are pretty good for budget minded woodworkers.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TK0IG8/?tag=atomicindus08-20


You can go the vintage route if you want, of course, but you need to know how to fettle and sharpen them to restore old chisels. However, $20/ea is NOT 'expensive' for good chisels. They can go over $100/ea for something from Blue Spruce Toolworks. Lie-Nielson starts at about $70. Veritas is $65-80. Narex is budget minded at $15.

WHATEVER you buy, you must be able to sharpen, or you will quickly have useless paint can openers. On youtube, find Paul Sellers chisel sharpening or google scary sharp sharpening.

 

[Shiftless]

There is a member CRSINMICH who collects and restores old chisels. He and his brother regrind, sharpen and fabricate new hardwood handles on many of them. I bet he has hundreds of them you could choose from. Shoot him a PM.

 

[pendragon1998]

As was asked above, what are you planning to use them for? Do you need the full spectrum of sizes. This comes up often in woodworking magazines, especially when talking about mortising chisels. The frequent answer is 'spend a little more for the chisels but only buy the ones you need'. You can always add others later. Personally, I started out with a basic set of Stanley bench chisels and have been adding additional, and better, chisels to the collection as I see deals on them. Mostly they are vintage chisels (and paint can openers ) I've picked up on garage sales.

Good advice. I think a 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1" set (maybe also a 3/8) of bench chisels is a good starting place for general work. Add a mortise chisel or two next.

 

[7th Kahuna]

As a side note, there is a brand of chisel called 'Footprint' which I have heard generally good things about (as a main stream tool). I recently picked up an all-but-new set (6) of the red handle ones, in the wood box, on Craigslist for under $25. I haven't played with them yet put couldn't pass them up for the price. I have seen them for sale periodically. Might be worth checking out. As a lessor known brand you might be more apt to find a deal.

FYI: These do not come sharpened from the factory so you need to be prepared to do the final sharpening yourself. It is also a useful clue as to how much use they haven't had. Only one of mine had been out of the box.

 

[hsvtoolfool]

First, avoid any chisel which is shiny and polished, new or
vintage. Some hobbyists and brands tend to do this. Sure
they look nice, but polishing rounds the edges and you
must spend hours lapping the back flat again.

There are tons of chisel reviews and articles on the web.
We galoots tend to obsess about our beloved chisels and
planes...

http://www.finewoodworking.com/tool-guide/Product-Finder/Chisels/118247.aspx?channel=1

Lie-Nelson is your best option for real quality American
woodworking hand tools. Like everything else they make,
their chisels are a balance between top-shelf quality and
too expensive...

www.finewoodworking.com/tool-guide/product-finder/lie-nielsen-bench-chisel.aspx

www.lie-nielsen.com/nodes/4080/chisels

Also in the high end, there are small-batch makers in the U.S.
that someone else here can list. I can't keep track of them as
they come and go, but they tend to be really expensive and
the highest quality.

If you're just trying to avoid low-quality Chinese steel, then
your options really expand. You can't go wrong with Swiss
"pfeil" brand, English "Robert Sorby" brand, German "Two
Cherries" brand, Czech "Narex" brand, and so forth...

www.highlandwoodworking.com/chisels.aspx

Stanley is remaking the No. 750 socket chisel. These are
"Made in England with Global Components" which is probably
a disqualifying offense. Others can attest to the quality...

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/2039

http://cornishworkshop.blogspot.com/2013/02/stanley-sweetheart-chisel.html

www.woodcraft.com/product/152818/stanley-sweetheart-750-series-4-piece-set.aspx

I've personally been burned by **** chisels from "Crown" and
"WoodRiver" brands and I'll never buy them again. Steel soft
as butter. Both came from Woodcraft, so I'm not a fan of that
store any more although they do offer good tools too. I have
a decent set of Home Depot "Buck Brothers" chisels hanging
in my garage which I use for rough carpentry around the house.
They're good enough for that purpose.

 

[Model A Fan]

Thank you for the replies guys. I guess I should have anticipated my lack of knowledge being an issue. Mainly, I am looking for a set of mortising chisels that I can do "Arts and Crafts" style projects with. I also should have prefaced it by saying, I'd like good intro chisels to see if I actually want to do it this way or if I should invest in a "mortising machine". I tend to jump into something and go all in, then the next thing I know, I have spent a lot of cash on a fleeting hobby. So far, woodworking and my Model A have still kept me interested. I tried oil painting and lost interest, though I still want to try.

So, in the end, I'm looking for something decent priced to get my feet wet to see if I want to go that route or not. I like the hand crafted idea and watching the videos and reading the books I get from the library seem to stoke that interest. Thanks

 

[manwithtools]

If you can find the old Marples Blue Chip chisels made in Sheffield England they are keepers. Only way to find them today is eBay or flea markets. Today they are sold as Marples by Irwin and are made in Asia (may even say Sheffield on them, but not "Made in Sheffield"). The originals will have blue handles, "Marples" in silver lettering, grey plastic tip protectors that are very simple design. I don't know when Irwin soiled the brand, probably at least 12 years ago.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I don't know about Washington State, but around here mortising chisels are about as common as hen's teeth on the garage sale or Craigslist circuits. So far I have only picked up a 1/4" Witherby, and quite by accident, which isn't a bad place to start. Mortising chisels are really best purchased in the size or sizes you need, rather than sets. You probably only need two or three. Maybe 3/8" and 1/2". Depends on the stock you are using.

Instinct suggests not recommending a mortising machine, but hand cutting mortises takes a bit of time and if that isn't the part of the process you enjoy, then a mortising machine may be in order.

Very basic Delta mortising machines do show up used from time to time, and fairly inexpensive. (I bought mine for $5 with one chisel. More commonly they run $125 to $200 in my market.) They ship new with a set of four chisels. The used machines seem to have frequently 'lost' them. Be aware of this as it would impact the value. Now you don't need a dedicated machine. The basic Delta mortising machine offers few if any benefits over using the mortising attachment for a standard drill press. Delta makes them, Craftsman did offer them, not sure if they still do, as well as others. They are frequently available used (pre-owned new ) as well. Finally, consider cutting mortises with a router.

 

[manwithtools]

Hold the bus, mortising chisels are a different beast. Much thicker than a bench chisel and typically have a heavy handle with a metal bolster to allow a good thumping from a mallet. For mortising you are typically cutting across the grain rather than with it.

I will tell you this, if you are looking for a cheap set to see if you like it, this may end up a fools journey. Cheap may work, but they wont cut as cleanly or hold an edge as long as the good ones. This could lead you to the wrong conclusion about hand cut mortises. Good, sharp tools make all the difference in the world when it comes to woodworking. I might recommend you buy one good mortising chisel and give it a try. Then buy a more complete set later if you like it.

 

[Zeke]

Spend as much as you want but if you can't sharpen them 'really' well, it's a waste. The big difference is how long the chisel will hold an edge used properly.

Sharpening is a religion — you will find a 100 ways to do it. I like this one.

 

[alinc100]

Many of the old wooden handled socket chisels are great,the Lie Nielsen's are great.Witherby,Pexto,Swann,Stanley 750's etc all good chisels. Most important is a method to sharpen/hone them that works best for YOU. Personally I use Shapton waterstones and a Lee Valley honing guide to initially sharpen a chisel or plane blade,or after a grinding session ,otherwise I'll freehand touch them up while in use. A dull chisel or plane blade is absolutely a PITA to work with.
Mortise chisels are a different breed and if you plan to do a bunch of A&C type woodworking a mortise machine is invaluable.

 

[manwithtools]

Spend as much as you want but if you can't sharpen them 'really' well, it's a waste. The big difference is how long the chisel will hold an edge used properly.

Sharpening is a religion — you will find a 100 ways to do it. I like this one.

One thing to said for cheap chisels, you will get VERY good at sharpening. The problem is, that takes most of the fun out of it. This is the reason I recommend good chisels, to Zeke's point "The big difference is how long the chisel will hold an edge used properly."

Better steel will hold an edge longer.

BTW, I recommend the "scary sharp" method, unless you would like to buy my Tormek low speed grinder?

 

[RonnieC]

I've got a mix of Lie Nielsen and Stanley 750's that the LN's were designed to emulate. Both types are great users, hold an edge well and sharpen pretty easily. Avoid the cheapo chisels. The frustration will put you off woodworking.

 

[manwithtools]

I got tired making mortises by hand.

Chisels got dull, lots of tap, tap bang, bang.

So I made myself a Mortise and Tenon Jig.

Very seldom, did another mortise by hand.

Ha, that's cool. Great job! Did you ever see my "Mortise-Flex" design?

http://www.woodcentral.com/articles/powertools/articles_110.shtml

Very similar to what you have built, but it has a tilting table to allow angled mortises.

 

[Shiftless]

I got tired making mortises by hand.

Chisels got dull, lots of tap, tap bang, bang.

So I made myself a Mortise and Tenon Jig.

Very seldom, did another mortise by hand.

Very impressive!

I bought a square chisel mortise machine 3 years ago that I have only used for one project.

 

[Mavawreck]

I use primarily vintage socket chisels that I've pieced together from flea market finds. Some are awesome, some are terrible. At 2-5 bucks a pop, it is a small investment. New handles are readily available, I buy them in lots off eBay. I've filled in the gaps with some Narex specialty chisels that I've been satisfied with. Purchased a set of new Stanley Sweetheart chisels for my FIL for christmas and he seems to be happy with those as well.

 

[shedfullatools]

Don't laugh but I've had excellent luck with a full set of Irwin chisels, the ones with the blue handles from most any hardware store. I put a bit of time into sharpening and honing them when I got them but haven't had to do any more than strop them since, I can only do any woodworking when Im in a patient mood anyways so taking a little time while Im working to strop the chisel Im using isnt a problem for me. Few strokes on each side and Im back at it, just my opinion...Not big into working with wood anymore anyways

 

[My Old Tools]

I have a bunch of Witherbys, some Pexto, Swan, a few others. For mortising, I bought old English pig sticker style chisels and restored them. The timber framers that make a living with a chisel in their hand swear by Barr Quarton's hand forged chisels.

 

[hsvtoolfool]

Mainly, I am looking for a set of mortising chisels that I can do "Arts and Crafts" style projects with. I also should have prefaced it by saying, I'd like good intro chisels to see if I actually want to do it this way or if I should invest in a "mortising machine".

There's so much personal preference involved here; both tool brands and work
methods. You need to nail down your work methods first. How much will you
build? Does speed matter? How much learning time can you afford? How
patient are you?

Even if you are a Norm-Abram-100%-machine-tool person, there are some
hand tools which are necessary for good work. Paring chisels and a block
plane fall into this category, while mortise chisels do not. I can't think of
anything you'd do with mortise chisels except chop mortises.

I loathe router noise and hate tuning and messing with mortise machine bits. I
make maybe two pieces a year: it's a hobby for when I get the itch. So I much
prefer a quite afternoon chopping and shaving at a bench, even if my results
are nowhere near fast and accurate as a machine made joint. I've used both
machine and hand tools, and I have much more fun with a marking gauge, a
solid bench, and my fake Japanese water stones.

I suspect the vast majority of hobbyists prefer machines: fast, easy, and
accurate. Their hobby is not about mastering skills beyond measuring and
setting a fence or depth-stop. They want a perfect piece of furniture exactly
how they imagined and they want it yesterday. Whatever floats your boat.
It's all good.

Back to the original question. Besides the slightly less expensive Lie-Nelson
mortise chisels, my personal favorite is the Ray Iles English mortise chisels...

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/item/MS-MORT.**

As an aside, for larger joints I usually remove most of the waste with a brace
and bit. I pare away and precisely fit the final joint using sharp paring chisels.
It's probably slower than using a mortise chisel, but they are not a
requirement to make larger mortise and tenon joints by hand.

 

[dutchgray]

Don't laugh but I've had excellent luck with a full set of Irwin chisels, the ones with the blue handles from most any hardware store. I put a bit of time into sharpening and honing them when I got them but haven't had to do any more than strop them since, I can only do any woodworking when Im in a patient mood anyways so taking a little time while Im working to strop the chisel Im using isnt a problem for me. Few strokes on each side and Im back at it, just my opinion...Not big into working with wood anymore anyways

Unless yours are old enough to be English made, the Irwin Marples are no where near the quality of the old Marples ones. The old blue handles were regarded as the best option for a site carpenter back then over here, with the Stanley version a close second. I have a few old ones of each and they are excellent. Marples did carving and mortice chisels with the same handles.

 

[manwithtools]

Very impressive!

I bought a square chisel mortise machine 3 years ago that I have only used for one project.

Yep, got one of those I'd like to sell too....

 

[Model A Fan]

Yep, got one of those I'd like to sell too....

Let me know how much!

Thank you guys for all of the information. I am trying to absorb the info so I can make a good decision. I am wanting to get into Arts and Crafts style, so I think the chisels I am going to go after are mortise chisels. I am leaning toward "Narex" or "Two Cherries". I'm still looking around but would like a nice set made of good quality steel, hence the US/European origin of manufacture.

This set looks nice:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/narex-set-of-5-mortise-chisels.aspx

Two Cherries looks nice but is quite pricy:

http://www.shopwoodworking.com/two-cherries-set-of-four-mortise-chisels-w3518

Is NAREX a good enough brand to get started? For Arts and Crafts, what sizes would be recommended so I don't buy ones I won't use?

If I am drilling out the mortises and then using the chisels to clean them up, do I even need mortise chisels?

 

[alinc100]

Loose tenon joinery,as mentioned above is a great method. I bought and have sparingly used this Jessem Mortise Mill. It works quite well considering what it does and what few tools are needed. I believe they are out of production but a savvy internet shopper should be able to find one. Jessem may still have them in their inventory as well,a phone call could shed some light on that. I haven't done as much woodworking lately as general carpentry and mechanical work so I haven't used it hard but I believe it to be a workable,affordable joinery system .

 

[bczygan]

ALDI's has a set of 4 chisels for sale for $7 total right now. Highly regarded, especially for the price.

http://imgur.com/a/gMngD

Bill

 

[crguy]

ALDI's has a set of 4 chisels for sale for $7 total right now. Highly regarded, especially for the price.



Bill

Don't waste your time. Think about it - you can't manufacture a set of good chisels for $7.

 

[dutchgray]

Don't waste your time. Think about it - you can't manufacture a set of good chisels for $7.

Those are the kind of sets the electricians and plumbers buy, if they last until they are too blunt to hack into studwork and floorboards they are doing well, then they pick up another set and bin the old.