I’d ask him direct, but I don’t find how, sooo…..
In many of his video “how too” articles, such as the video “Chop a Hinge Mortise, etc with Garrett Hack” Mr. Hack uses a set of red handled chisels. You can see what I’m talking about here at http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=5210
So, I’m thinking – gee, if Garrett Hack uses them, they must be the cat’s meow, yes?
Mr Hack, if you are reading this … what brand are those chisels?
Since he probably isn’t – does anyone recognize them?
I am interested, since I’m learning how to chisel really fine mortises into already finished stiles on a nearly completed piece. This turns out to be not quite as simple as it would first appear to be, and I definitely should have done this before I finished the darn case. Howsomever,.. “Golly” says I, “If I only had a REALLY GOOD set of chisels, this would go MUCH better.” Now I know this isn’t really so, however….
I already have two sets of chisels – one “ok” set of “CHROME VANADIUM ALLTRADE PRO” which I picked up for $6 for a set of 6 from the grab bin at my local lumber store in ’67, and one pretty good new set of Swiss Made from WoodCraft – nice chisels, if a little lumpy till properly flattened on BOTH sides, and somewhat more that $1 each – still, I wonder….What would Garrett use?
Does anyone know? Mr Hack, you out there?
Mike D 🙂
Replies
I believe those are red plastic handled Berg Eskilstuna chisels (swedish).
Those would be some REALLY NICE chisels! I have one that I rescued from a box of crap at an estate sale. I also seem recall a set of 8 in new condition going for about $1200 on E-Bay (or maybe it was a set of 12 for $800 but I don't think so). LOL.
Happy New Year!
Mack"Close enough for government work=measured with a micrometer, marked with chalk and cut with an axe"
I noticed that Ian Kirby appears to still be plying the trade with five bucks apiece Marples Blue Chip chisels. Every photo I've ever seen of the man with a chisel in his hand it's always a Blue Chip. Check him out at Woodworkers Journal. Mind you, it appears he must have hoarded a few sets from before the Irwin rape and pillage of the Sheffield legend.
If they're good enough for Ian......? You know the rest I assume.
Edited 12/30/2008 7:40 am ET by TaunTonMacoute
For Christmas, my wife always has our youngest daughter pick a tool out of a catalog for me. This year she decided I needed chisels (even though I have many, many vintage and current). What she picked out, was from Highland Hardware, the 4 piece set of Narex. Cost was $22.95 for all four.
I took the 1/2" and flattened the back, which was actually pretty good out of the box. I then hone an edge. I played around with a piece of maple, using an AI that was also freshly sharpened, for comparison. The Narex easily outlasted the AI. Primary bevels were nearly identical. I was impressed enough to chuck the Narex in a lathe to make the handle more comfortable, and after this task, I would declare these to be one HE_L of a modern tool bargain. The remaining three Narex chisels have all had the backs flattened, with all being damn near flat out of the box, and all have had the handles reshaped to match one another (under an inch in width was easy--the wider chisel presented a problem that was solved by chucking blade first in a 4-jaw chuck).
The moral of the story is, for modern tools, more expensive doesn't always get you the best tool. For me, I really doubt if I would buy a new chisel. As a gift, I readily would accept a new chisel. I don't worship my tools: the handles on these chisels didn't feel right, so they were re-shaped, as were the handles on the large AI's I have. Side bevels on the AI's were too large, so they were belt-sanded to where they weren't an issue. One of the AI seemed a bit soft, so out came the propane torch!
T.Z.
I'm glad to know they work well. I'll keep that it mind.
I love my Blue Chips, though I think they cost me a little more than $5 apiece. Very easy to lap, and a fine and delicate feel with the shallow bevels. They're nice and long, too. They're the best one's I've ever owned, which isn't saying a whole lot, but still it would seem pretty pointless to look around for 'better' ones.Brian
They're the best one's I've ever owned, which isn't saying a whole lot, but still it would seem pretty pointless to look around for 'better' ones.
I agree with you (for what little that's worth) and I'd bet Ian Kirby would too.
Edited 1/1/2009 7:51 am ET by TaunTonMacoute
I'm sticking with the ones that I've got for a long while, too.
Practicing using them on different woods and trying for perfect is an interesting experience. One thing that comes through loud and clear is sharp, sharp, sharp! As soon as the chisel starts losing it's fine edge, effort goes up and mistakes multiply. I've been increasing the sharpening angle on mine - started at 20 degrees which was much too fragile - the dollar chisels' edges just folded over, and the Pfeil chisels' edges fractured. I had some better luck at 25 degrees, but still was getting edge failure in hard maple. Now I'm sharpening at 30 degrees and the edges of both sets seem to be holding up much better. When I hone the edges after about every 5 minutes of paring, both sets seem to be adequate to the job. Heck, I thought that dovetails were the test - but a perfect 3/16" deep mortise 1/8" from one edge, smooth and level on the bottom, and crisp, straight sides that exactly fit the hinge, does challenge my hand-eye coordination. When the chisels' are sharp and I'm not in a hurry, I can do it just fine, but if not then Not. Why am I so OCD over these mortises? Because they are where they really show, and I screwed up and put the finish on the cabinet before I cut these mortises - so no margin for error.I'm having fun, though.Happy New Year to Everybody!!!!Mike D
Mike D
Garrett Hack did a video series on chisel use and skills earlier this year-08--on FWW and he tells the name of the chisels he favors in that series. Can't remember which one, but it's enjoyable to watch. Tom
Mike
The first video in the series is where Hack reveals the chisel's manufacturer--Bahco. Here's a link to the video.
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuideArticle.aspx?id=28773
Here's a link to Bahco's website: http://www.bahco.com/files/Chisels_janitnufipmcpujbmnpfufbso.pdf
Hope that helps. Tom
Thanks, a very cool link. Bahco 1031's and he has 11 of them, each a different size. Very nice.
Mike D
Garrett likely purchased his chisels after Bahco had taken over Berg, hence their similarity.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Have a looksie at:
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuideArticle.aspx?id=28773
and you shall find...
They are indeed swedish as mentioned above but made by Bahco. I believe they still make similar chisels (1031-series) though they primarily advertise another line.
...
:-D ctsjr82 beat me to it!
Edited 12/30/2008 2:35 pm by Cowsine
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled