Replies

1. 
   Jeff | Feb 17, 2003 08:52pm | #1

   Hirsch and Two-Cherries are the same, just different names.

   Have some of both and they are very good.

   Jeff

2. 
   GalootRob | Feb 17, 2003 09:57pm | #2

   In the Feb 2001 issue of Popular Woodworking, they did a review of 19 different makes of chisels, looking at things like hardness, ability to keep an edge, comfort of use, etc. The Ashley Isles from Jeseda, E.C.E. from David Warren, Marples Blue Chip and Two Cherries all got Editor's Choice awards, with the Marples also picking up a best value. The Marples scored higher on Setup and Inital Flatness, with the Two Cherries slightly higher in Fit & Finish and Ergonomics. The Marples also had a harder blade. Given the price difference, I think that a complete set of Blue Chips with some additional toys (I mean, tools) such as a new combination square or waterstone or some such would be a more satisfying buy.

   My $0.02

   Rob

1. 
   BG | Feb 17, 2003 11:43pm | #3

   Rob,

   Ya got a good memory, yes, the marples came out way ahead especially in retention of sharpness.  I have been playing around with mortices and dovetails for a few months now and have determined my needs may be significantly different than the criteria the article you sight used.

   I'm buying one of each and testing. The Two Cherry is supposed to be terrific...and the Sorby..and the Swiss...and the Japanese...and of course the Marple.  I have found the Japanese to really hold an edge..of course getting that edge takes time.  They are too small for my hands with mortices...and no leverage(tip will break).  The Sorby I like for paring..and better for morticing..but the edge rolled shortly after sharpening.   

   Before I'd spend birthday money however....I'd check out when the LN chisel will be available..in the mean time I'll buy one at a time and have fun...

1. 
   plinthe | Feb 18, 2003 05:15am | #5

   I'm holding out for the Lie-Nielsen chisels which should be out around the end of March; I've heard they were a good value, but they will still be expensive at around $40-$50 each. That's in the next bracket, compared to Marples.

   Plinthe

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Feb 18, 2003 06:57pm | #7

   Plinthe,

          Any idea were a guy could find some info on the theoretical L-N chisels?  I tried their site with no results.

                         Steve

1. 
   AlanTurner | Feb 18, 2003 08:47pm | #9

   Just talk to L-N a few minutes ago on another issue, and asked about the chisels.  The fellow I talked to sd. this year, he hopes.  I heard that they were to be after the older Stanley socket chisels.  Based on that , I picked up a couple of the old Stanleys at a flea market booth of a tool guy.  The blades are about 6" long, plus the socket.  I got the 1/4" and the 1/2", and they are great.  $35 the pair.  He has more also.  I am wondering if they are the same as the ones the new L-N's are based on?  No #'s on the chisels.  As you can see, I am not knowledgeable about older tools.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?  The number 750 sticks in my mind as the model of the Stanley that L-N is making, but this could just be a senior moment rearing its head.

   Anyway, when I am next back to this tool booth, I will fill out the set, I think.  Much easier to sharpen than the butt chisels I otherwise have, although I have a set of bevel edge Bahco's that are awfully comfortable for fine work.

2. 
   dirtstirrer | Feb 18, 2003 09:47pm | #10

        I've got a set of those old Stanleys too.  I love mine as well.  You might want to buy all of them that he has for an investment.  If your interested in values and identifications, check out some of John Walter's books.  I can't remember the titles off the top of my head, but I'm sure Amazon carries them.  I think my set is a 726, but Stanley had a bunch of numbers.  They are quite collectable.  Thanks for the info on the L-N chisel.  I need some handles for a few old Stanleys and if L-N patterns theirs after the Stanley, I bet they would interchange.  Great news! 

                          Steve

3. 
   plinthe | Feb 19, 2003 02:09am | #13

   Steve,

   I don`t know much more about the new chisels than what I told you. I got my info on the phone from Rob Cosman, LN`s Canadian distributor. He mentioned that they were ready for production, except the handles which need some fine tuning. He also mentioned that LN wanted a patent for the blade because they are not drop forged. Apparently they are light and super strong, made of high tech steel.

   s4s, I read another post on here not too long ago (a few weeks) about someone who was testing the new chisels. He said they were based on an old Stanley model, I forget which one and don`t have the time to search right now (the thread was not about chisels)...

   Regards,

   Plinthe

3. 
   Alan | Feb 17, 2003 11:53pm | #4

   Doc,

   I just received a new set of Hirsch chisels from Lee Valley.  If I'm correctly informed they are exactly the same as Two Cherries for significantly less money.  I've been using a set of Marples--not the Blue Chips--a set with yellow and red plastic handles.  I had few complaints with the Marples, but I realized there are better chisels available.

   The Hirsch chisels take a finer edge and hold it longer than the Marples.  I am amazed by the difference.

   I would recommend the Hirsch tools except for one thing:

   There's one very bad thing about the Hirsch (and IIRC the Two Cherries too) the blades come with a coating of some sort that is a real bear to remove.  In the past others have had success with lacquer thinner, though not all who tried it.  I soaked one of my new chisels in lacquer thinner for several hours:  it softened the coating, but not enough to remove it.  Next I guess I'll try paint stripper and hope it doesn't stain the steel.

   The coating was a problem when I was sharpening them.  Believe it or not I had to resort to my green stone (about a 270 grit water stone) to remove enough of the mysterious coating to get down to the steel.  The coating abrades away and forms gritty little balls of varying sizes that get on the stones--and that can cause problems.

   Why?  What purpose does the coating serve?  I have no idea.  It's a really bad idea and a horrible feature of these otherwise excellent tools.

   Alan

4. 
   Clay | Feb 18, 2003 05:31pm | #6

   I agree with Allen.   I have Marples chisels and the steel is poor.  The finish on the Hirsch or Two Cherries may not be as good but they will perform much better (I have some of them too).

5. 
   KraigY | Feb 18, 2003 07:39pm | #8

   Good day all-

   Thanks very very much to everyone for all the great information and advice.  After reading all the comments and pros&cons, I think I will order the Hirsch set from LV and deal with the plastic coating, which I suspect they put on to protect the steel from the elements during their trans-Atlantic journey and storage.  As a chemist I am sure I can find something to remove the stuff.  I'll let you know what I find out.

   As far as the Lie-Nielsen chisels- I would love to-- however, with the way money burns a hole in my wallet, it will be long gone before they ever hit the market.

   Thanks again for the great feedback-

   Doc in CCA

1. 
   jase | Feb 18, 2003 11:04pm | #11

   I got a set of Two-Cherries last year. It takes a little scrubbing with acetone and a rag but the clear finish comes off just fine.Jase--Is there a better way?

6. 
   alanplanesaw | Feb 19, 2003 01:12am | #12

   I have a set of Ashley Isles and like them.  For a good price, you might check http://www.thebestthings.com.

1. 
   KraigY | Feb 19, 2003 05:37am | #14

   Ahhhh Man! Just when I thought I had my mind made up I checked out the Bestthings site. The AI's and the ECE's both look awesome. Did you purchase your set from this site?

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Feb 19, 2003 10:50pm | #15

   Yes, bought my AIs from them.  Excellent service.

   Alan

1. 
   KraigY | Feb 20, 2003 12:13am | #16

   Thanks Alan-

   Good to know you had a good experience.  I have not dealt with them before but suspect I will.

   Doc-