Have had an itch to try a different chisel than my old blue handled Marples. Have always been interested in Ashley Isles MK-2 in O2, but the LV seems to be the cream of the crop. Anyone with in use experience? AI does offer some nice wide 1 1/2 & 2″ chisels.
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Replies
I've owned 3 different chisels. My first set was Narex. My second set was Marples with wood handles that I found at a flea market. I used them for years before I purchased LV's PM-11 chisels.
They definitely keep their edge for much longer than the other chisels I've owned.
Thanks. LV chisels look superb. Just not sure I would gain enough for my usage to justify $. I may buy one and give it a test.
I've also had the itch to try something nicer than the Marples I've got. I have been thinking I'd get just one, probably 1/2 in, the size I use the most anyway to help swallow the cost.
An idea.
I have both blue-handle Marples and LV PM-V11s. The LV chisels are amazing, but only marginally more so over my old Marples. If you can easily afford the PM-v11s without taking out a mortgage on your house, go for it. If not, the Marples are great and affordable chisels.
I too keep looking at nice chisels - then I spend the money on more machine tools.
I have an eclectic mix of old ones - Marples, footprint, some too old to have a visible brand now. They all seem to stay sharp for long enough to finish a project - at most I will have to touch one up once.
I'm probably going to take the plunge soon, but there are so many other nice tools to buy...
i have a set of ln socket as well as a set of ibc tang chisels. both are a2 steel so i can't really tell you the difference between steels (though i heard that lv pmv-11 is an excellent choice). ln socket chisels are excellent though i had a few fall off their handle in the middle of an operation and hit the concrete floor. ibc are phenomenal. i would recommend them all day long. also they are considerably thinner than ln and allow you to get in to tighter places.
There is more to a chisel than just the steel. Veritas PM-V11 is definitely the best tool steel at this time, combining a durable edge with powdered metal technology to create a fine grain structure that creates as fine an edge as O1 steel. It also hones easier than A2 steel. The gap between this steel and the Marples in edge holding is HUGE, but this may not be noticed if all you work is soft woods.
Having stated this, chisels are personal. The way they feel in your hand is important. I like the Veritas handles. They are only rivaled by Blue Spruce in my opinion. I’ve never been a fan of LN handles. Too squat.
For dovetailing, they are second-to-none for getting into sockets without bruising the edges - they have very fine lands, which is absent among cheaper chisels. The BS and LN are similar in this respect.
I like the slimmer steel of the BS when paring, but then these chisels are not the allrounders the Veritas (and LN) are.
Just to be clear, I have been testing Veritas tools for the factory for about 15 years, and I have used the PM-V11 chisels since they were first made. My comments here, however, are as objective as possible.
Regards from Perth
Derek
IBC chisels are excellent. Check Rob Colman’s website for an excellent review , although he had a role in developing several of their plane blades.
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