Grizzly 1" Japanese Chisel Review

Re: Grizzly 1" Japanese Chisel Review

Tim of Dublin

>That doesn't sound like much of a review.......

Anyone with a smidge of experience working wood should know there are several factors you should be mentioning regarding the performance of said chisel....type of wood being worked...type of operation you were doing....bevel angle....how sharp (generally reported as the highest grit you honed to and a word or two on your skills/experience. Other factors are involved but knowing these would be a lot more helpful than simply saying you *think* they're crap.

I'll grant you that the cutting edge of a japanese chisel should be too hard/brittle to bend but should rather chip if abused.

Tim

Re: Grizzly 1" Japanese Chisel Review

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>It sounds to me like that may be all the review the chisel was worth. I like the way the editors of Popular Woodworking explain their rating system. They just don't waste the paper to print reviews of the stuff they test that get zero or one or two stars. I think we should thank Chico for taking the time to warn us to avoid this product. That's a WC benefit that even the best woodworking magazines (quite understandably) cannot provide.

As to experience, just about anyone who has been around these woodworking forums for any length of time would know that Chico's experience and furniture design and construction skills are of the highest level.

As to the implication of abuse, I think if he thought the chisel had been abused during the test, he would have said so. In not mentioning abuse, my natural assumption was that the edge rolled under circumstances of normal usage under which one would not expect an edge to appreciably fail.

Re: Grizzly 1" Japanese Chisel Review

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>Hi Tim,

Unless things have changed recently, Chico makes custom furniture for a living, and possesses a high order of skill. He used to post photos of the pieces he made regularly on the old Badger Pond, but there's no reason you should know this. I still remember a front door he made that was absolutely spectacular.

I was kinda chuckling at Chico's review, because the Grizzly chisel sounded like one of those rubber pirate cutlasses we had when we were kids.

Wiley

thanks Chico

Jack Guzman from Maine

>..for bein the guinea pig for trying those out.When I saw them in the catalogue I figured they had to be junk not only because of the price,but there's no brand--no Japanese maker is willing to take blame for manufacturing them.---Jack

Great "sum-up" of a sum-up!;-)

HC Sakman

>Thanks Sir Willam. It is indeed not worthy to say anything else about it. It is simply a pretender or impostor of decent quality Japanese chisels.

Chico...

Experience

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont

>Hi,

The danger of the internet forums is that it is too easy to to jump to a conclusion about a comment or product without data or evidence (been there..and done that).

I will tell you that having to choose between an individual reputation or that of a company can also be a thin sheet of ice, but I know Chico's work and skills are of the highest quality, take a look at some of his work. Given that and also knowing him well, I might think that he gave too much of a review to a tool that sounds like a screwdriver might be more useful in it's place (paint can opener status).

:-)

Thanks Chico, Back to the Two Cherries..

take care,

Jim

Sorry for butting in

Tim of Dublin

>

Re: Grizzly 1" Japanese Chisel Review

Ernie Miller Topeka

>The review was from Chico! that being said is enough for me. I know this mans work and skills. If he says they are junk I won't waist my $11 like he did.

No need to be sorry Tim

HC Sakman

>It's also my fault that I did my "review" way too short. I am also forgetting that many people who come by here don't necessarily know everybody. Otherwise, like Bill and others assumed the right things because they know me.

Anyway, no problems, just wanted to mention that.

Chico...

Additionally...

HC Sakman

>Even with relatively softer woods like cherry and mahogany, this chisel was not able to hold its edge long enough to be in par with $25~$30 Japanese chisels.

Chico...

Thanks Chico...

Scott Burr Ben Lomond,CA

>Was a bit curious myself. Thanks for sharing!

Re: Grizzly 1" Japanese Chisel Review

Stephen Dalfollo-Daley

>Thanks you...I can mark those off my list....

What would you suggest in terms of a ~$30 Japanese Chisel?? I would be very interested in any suggestions....

Iyoroi from LeeValley... ROB! Hear me Please!

HC Sakman

>Lee Valley's Iyoroi Japanese chisels are O.K. They've been seving me well. Iyoroi also makes higher quality chisels and nobody sells them here. I wish Lee Valley would carry better models in the NEAR future! Rob hear hear... ;-)

Chico...

..and the reason why....

HC Sakman

>...I want better quality: Denser, exotic woods are tough on these chisels and I think better quality chisels would withstand longer. Otherwise they are great for what they cost. As far as japanese chisels go and the ones I've tried... They get 6.75 over 10.00 points. Grizzly gets 3.00. They are below acceptable but if they're used with alder or similar softer hardwoods or softwoods occosionally, they might be so..so... though, nevertheless they receive failing grade!

4.99 fails. 5.00 points grade is bare essentials and passes. ;-)

Chico...

Re: ..and the reason why....

Stephen Dalfollo-Daley

>I think I may have a problem as I tend to work in maple, Qsawn white oak, and cherry....can i expect a $300-400 set of J Chisels to handle the work in these woods?

I am looking for a hardy bench chisel that is shorter than marples blue chips and will hold a good edge....I would like to see them hooped as i expect to pound on them (no mortising)...thanks...

Steve Knight ...where are you?

HC Sakman

>LV's Iyoroi chisels should serve you well with those woods. I was referring to bubinga, wenge, purplehart, cocobolo, rosewoods (Indian & Indonesian)and ipe. Even with these woods they're ok but the bevel angle needs to be steeper though I prefer lower angle since I can control the cut better with lower angle. Perhaps I need to practice more with higher angles.

Steve Khight should have a pretty good experience with this issue. He may chime in.

Chico...

Re: Iyoroi from LeeValley

kees

>Rob likes the LN's, so there's no reason for filling this gap?

kees

Re: ..and the reason why....

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>A hoop is unnecessary for furnituremaking, if you choose an apporpriate wood for your handles and for your mallet, and don't abuse the striking surface of your mallet by beating on cheap, sharp edged hoops with it. Further, a hoop just increases the weight at the butt end of the chisel, throwing off the balance, and making them more tiring to use. It also makes the chisel cheaper to produce, since manufacturer can ignore developing the skill required to properly select and season and shape wooden handles. It also opens a wider market, since they can also sell it to shade tree mechanics, roughing carpenters, plumbers, and electricians who will beat on it with whatever tool is closest at hand.

I use my L-N bench chisels professionally all day long in the woods you mention, and also in walnut, mahogany, tuliptree and ash, striking them with beech, hard maple, cocobolo, black locust, hedge, dogwood and even hard rubber mallets, without damaging them.

Re: Iyoroi from LeeValley... ROB! Hear me Please!

Rob Lee

>Hi Chico -

Would you like a store with those chisels... ? :)

We'll look for both...

Cheers -

Rob

That will do just fine Rob! Still Waiting.....

HC Sakman

>