What do you guys think of Ashley Iles chisels?

Re: What do you guys think of Ashley Iles chisels?

Nevile Bevel

>You could buy one of each and do your own test and then post your report here for us all to see.

What do you think?

Re: What do you guys think of Ashley Iles chisels?

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>I have the Hirsch chisels which apparently come from the same factory as the two cherries and use the same steel. It's a huge pile of work to flatten and hone them but once done they are great and hold a good edge for a long time.

I have an Ashely Iles gouge...

Christopher Fitch @ Memphis

>and I can safely say that it is quite good. I was VERY satisfied with it's performance. I bought mine from Joel at http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/

I am considering buying a set down the road when I can afford it.

I think Christopher Schwarz can give you some input on them as well. If I recall correctly, Christopher gave them a high rating and said he was impressed by them.

Re: What do you guys think of Ashley Iles chisels? *LINK*

Lloyd Robins

>I have had both. They are both excellent chisels from my limited use of them. The Ashley Iles have a more comfortable handle in my hand. Both the Standard and the American patterns are quite comfortable. (I also think that bubinga handles look great.) I think that you would like either of the brands. I have, however, personally gotten a lousy addiction to a set of Japanese chisels, which are more expensive (of course.) Darn slope. You might want to talk with Joel at Tools for Working Wood. He sells both brands. No I don't work there. I have purchased several items from him. Good Luck!


http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/

Re: What do you guys think of Ashley Iles chisels?

Fred West in West Chester, PA

>I have the complete set of the Ashley Iles American pattern chisels. While I have not used the Two Cherries I must admit that I love my chisels. I used one of them on some wenge today and it cut like butter. Could not ask for a better experience. Fred

Ah, Bu-BING-ahhhh...

Scott in Douglassville, PA

>The handles are so choice. I highly recommend them.

I have some of the standard length bench chisels. Sa-weeeet. I will say that I had a distinct preference toward them over the shorter American Pattern variety, though they seem quite popular these days. The handles are solid, the chisels are moderately heavy (though not overly so, to me, anyway), and they've been holding an edge well.

In fact, the only things I don't like about them are that (a) They kind of necessitate a classier storage facility than what I currently have in place, and (b) I don't have a complete set yet...

? for the Ashley Iles owners

Wendell @ Murphy, TX

>Do you use a wooden mallet with your Ashley Iles chisels? They're so pretty I'd be afraid to beat on them. With the double hoop design, the two cherries look like their meant to be hit. I wish I hadn't seen the picture of the Ashley Iles chisels. I was perfectly content with my plan to buy the Hirsch chisels from Lee Valley. Now, I am going to have to buy one of each (Two Cherries/Hirsch and Ashley Iles) and see which I like better. Thanks a lot guys ;)

Wendell

Re: ? for the Ashley Iles owners

Mike Real

>I have a complete set and love 'em. Takes a razor edge and good in the hand. I use a wood mallett on them with no problem.

I've used...

Scott in Douglassville, PA

>...a mallet, but generally muscle through my cuts, delighting in the delicate joy of shoulder tendonitis...

But, yeah, mallets have been fine in my (limited) experience.

There is a review in the articles section.

Ed Snow

>Not to toot my own horn.

I will also add a post script.

I no longer chop unless I absolutely have to. I use a scroll saw or fret saw to hack out the waste and pare to the final line. Saves about ten minutes a corner.

Re: There is a review in the articles section.

mane3215

>Thanks for all the great info guys. Really helped me a lot! Good stuff!

Re: ? for the Ashley Iles owners

ChrisF

>No problem using a wooden mallet on my American Pattern AI chisels. I'll agree with what others have said....they're really nice chisels (and oh, that bubinga!).

One other thing I'll say is that in regards to the Hirsch chisels, you might want to avoid them if you're left-handed (or at least try holding them first). I bought the Hirsch's first, and discovered that the flat spots on the handles are NOT parallel with the edge of the blade. They're skewed in an apparent effort to make them more comfortable for right-handers. Being left-handed, I found holding them awkward, and returned them for the round-handled AI chisels.

for bench chisels, you may want to add pfeils....

John Truxell-Svenson (jvs)

>...to the list. I had a Woodcraft gift certificate to burn; added to a 15% off Monday, it made a pair (12 and 16mm) cheap. My socks are still on, but were very flat out of the box (very little metal to remove--just the fine grinding marks) and hold a 25� edge well so far. My main hesitation was the weird-looking handles, but actually fit me quite well. May still try a pair of TC or Ashley Iles before committing to a set; I use those sizes more than any other, and it is nice to have multiple sharp spares.

What, you thought by asking the question here would make the decision easier??




/jvs

Re: ? for the Ashley Iles owners

Tom Williams

>Actually Chris, they're supposed to be parallel but often aren't. I had the same problem with some Two Cherries chisels I got from Dieter Schmid and Dieter investigated with his factory rep. He learned that when they use that handle style (two flats on a roundish handle) they try to get them parallel with the blade, but its done by hand and deviations happen. I only had one that was obviously way off, but then inspected the others more carefully and found a few others that were bothersome. To his credit Dieter hand selected replacements for me. The Highland Hardware Hirsch chisels use the octagonal handles and may be less affected. However I personally find the other handles suit me better.

Tom

Re: ? for the Ashley Iles owners

Fred West in West Chester, PA

>I use a wooden mallet all the time and have no problem with them. In addition I have not yet marred one of them. Truly a love fest. Fred