Replies

1. 
   Tony Z | Sep 28, 2009 09:51pm | #1

   What kind of chisels did you inherit?  Is there something in particular that you don't like about the chisels you have?

   T.Z.

2. 
   JohnWW | Sep 29, 2009 01:00am | #2

   Fine Woodworking has done several articles over the years that compared chisels by brand name. If you are an online subscriber, or have access to back issues, you will be able to get a lot of information there.

   I would echo the first response that you got, what did you inherit, you could already have some very nice blades.

   Also what type of chisel work are you planning to do? Cutting dovetails is different from chopping mortises, you should match the chisel to the job if possible. I would also be inclined to buy only a few, but better made, chisels in the sizes and styles needed. If you buy a large set, some chisels, typically the wider ones, will rarely be needed so you are wasting your money.

   Also before buying chisels you should have a good sharpening set up. Most chisels don't come ready to use and will need some final sharpening right out of the box and even the best of them can dull very quickly in some applications.

   John White
   Shop Manager for FWW Magazine, 1998 to 2007
1. 
   thefishingguru | Sep 29, 2009 01:20am | #3

   I do not know what kind of chisels they are. I like them, they are just getting to the point where they are too worn out to use anymore. They have seen many many years of work. I'm looking for a good all around chisel. I dabble in all kinds of things. I looked at the tool reviews for chisels, and lie-nielsen was the better chisel at the time. But unless I am mistaken, Blue Spruce has recently released a set of bench chisels. The Blue Spruce chisels reviewed by FWW were their dovetail chisels. That's where my question comes in. Thanks

1. 
   Eef | Oct 03, 2009 12:16am | #17

   the,two or three years ago i bought the blue spruce dovetail set. dave was very good to deal with as i did not care for the cocobolo handles, he made new ones of flamey maple.
   the dt chisels are great on softwoods and softer hardwoods. they should not be used on oak, in my experience, as the steel will bend. also, i found the edges of those chisels to be rather sharp so i stoned down the edges to dull them.
   eef

3. 
   Jimurock | Sep 29, 2009 01:25am | #4

   This issue came up quite recently, but I can't find the thread, so I'll repeat myself.  Both are great quality tools, and your best bet is to try them out personally for fit if you can.  (Incidentally the last FWW comparison, if I remember correctly, didn't compare BS Bench chisels, which are fairly new.) 

   The LN chisels have sockets rather than tangs.  This has the advantage that you can swap handles if they don't suit, and the disadvantage that the handles tend to come loose when the weather changes.  Although LN advertises a set of chisels, they do make a wider range of sizes than the set includes.  They don't give you a discount for the set, so you might as well buy the individual chisels that you need.  BS has less of a choice.  I own LN bench and BS  paring chisels, and like them both.  You might have a harder time finding the BS for a test-drive.

   Jim

1. 
   mwenz | Sep 29, 2009 04:26pm | #7

   Jim wrote:

   The LN chisels have sockets rather than tangs.  This has the advantage that you can swap handles if they don't suit, and the disadvantage that the handles tend to come loose when the weather changes.  Although LN advertises a set of chisels, they do make a wider range of sizes than the set includes.  They don't give you a discount for the set, so you might as well buy the individual chisels that you need.  BS has less of a choice. 

   The Blue Spruce bench chisels are like a Japanese chisel in that they have both a tang and a socket. While one can get nearly any size of chisel from Dave (Blue Spruce) or from LN, for bench chisels, the advertised sets contain about what one needs for general bench use. Both have fairly sharp edges and can be used quite well on DTs.

   Take care, Mike

1. 
   Jimurock | Sep 29, 2009 08:51pm | #8

   Yep, you're right.  Been a while since I visited the site (why torture yourself?) and there's quite a selection there now.   I can't see anyone removing those sexy handles though, whereas It didn't bother me at all to replace some of the LN.

   Jim

4. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 29, 2009 02:22am | #5

   Far be it from me to dissuade anyone from buying a new set of chisels. But, old chisels don't wear out, they just gain more "character". ;-)

   It might be time, however, to put the old set behind glass in a display case with a little brass plate, "Grandpa's Chisels" and hang them in a place of honor.

   Sorry I can't help with the LN vs. Blue Spruce comparison. I bought a couple of intermediate sets of Japanese chisels some 30+ years ago from Japan Woodworker in Berzerkley, CA, and they're still not ready for retirement.

5. 
   Jfrostjr | Sep 29, 2009 04:20pm | #6

   By all means find a way to try them out before you buy. I purchased several Japanese chisels but find them very uncomfortable on my hands.

   For Christmas, my sweet wife gave a set of the LN - they "fit" my hands much better. All hands are different.

   Frosty

   “If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert,
   in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.”

   Milton Friedman

1. 
   Mackwood | Oct 01, 2009 03:54am | #9

   "---sweet wife---set of LN--"

   I'll say SWEET!!  You've got a keeper there!  Best I can do is gift cert. for tools!!  LOL

   Regards,

   Mack"Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"

2. 
   Scrit | Oct 01, 2009 09:05pm | #12

   "But, old chisels don't wear out, they just gain more "character". ;-)"Actually mine do! I'm in my fifties and on my third set of bevel edge chisels, but then I do use mine for work and they don't spend much time getting polished or admired.....

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Oct 01, 2009 11:45pm | #13

   I have a "beater chisel"or two.Frosty“If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert,
   in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.” Milton Friedman

6. 
   indreamprocess | Oct 01, 2009 05:29am | #10

   I guess it's all pretty much been said... in first place, it's a matter of what kind of work you do with chisels. So I'll just suggest to try to give a very good honing to those old chisels first and try them out before thinking on buying new set of chisels. Believe me, you can do a lot of good woodworking using a tuned up tool. (see the sharpening doctor video series on FWW.. is a must!)

   Thus you can get an idea of what you really need using them (mortise/bench or butt chisels, chisel anatomy, proper size for your hands and projects, comfort, materials, bevel angle, tang handle or socket handle, etc...) and I think it's a very good way to get use to chisels, how do they work on your hands... and how to tune them up. You'll probably get surprise what an old tool can do these days... plus you'll save some bucks on the way (there's a good article on chisels from "hand tool skills" on a '08 FWW special issue).

   Otherwise, step on your fav woodworking store and take a look on both brands to feel and see for yourself which will satisfy your needs. LN is a great brand and I definetely will have no doubts about getting some chisels from them. BS's sets are suggested more for fine precise joinery work and aren't made for removing a lot of waste. Again, it all depends on what do you need. I'll suggest to consider to use what's available on your hands and start from there to develop your skills... then you can setp up on a finer set. Keep it up and good woodworking!

7. 
   RalphBarker | Oct 01, 2009 06:28pm | #11

   After all this advice on chisels, perhaps you can return the favor by commenting on which are the best fishing hooks? The ones I have, for example, don't seem to catch any fish. ;-)

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Oct 02, 2009 09:52pm | #14

   I have the same problem with fish hooks, but I find they work better, when they are in the water.I have some old Marples, a few garage sale chisels, the best I have was from LV about 1995 they had a bunch of unbranded chisels at good prices. I bought a bunch and they are great. But since they were unbranded I can't tell what make they are.Maybe Rob Lee could give us a hint were they were made? Gee Rob it's been 15 years has the satute of limitations run out yet?

1. 
   Buster2000 | Oct 02, 2009 09:54pm | #15

   The rumor I hear is that Veritas is coming out with a line of bench chisels... 

1. 
   Shoemaker1 | Oct 02, 2009 10:44pm | #16

   That is about the nicest rumor I have heard in a long time. It will interesting to see what they have in common with the unmarked one's. Gee I sure would like to do a review of those Hint!That rumor of Jimmy Hoffa, Elvis and Mikeal Jackson running a 7-11 in Alaska is getting old :)