david weaver
I'm getting lost here, Charles.

Are we discussing what historically was used to cut mortises in cabinet work or what you prefer to use?

Everyone is aware that you like to make delicate mortise cuts. I'd imagine everyone here does, too, after maybe the first time they hammer the crap out of a new chisel to see how the edge holds up (i'll admit to having done that, but to do that as standard practice and deal with the noise in combination with sloppy results, that doesn't sound like a pleasant hobby).

I'd be more inclined to believe that oval bolster chisels weren't commonly used for cabinetmaking if there weren't so many around in thin widths with long gradual primary bevels.