mortise chisels

Re: mortise chisels

Jonathan Kaplan (OR)

>Others with better info will no doubt chime in re: LN, but I think they have started shipping their mortise chisels but don't yet list them.

There are a fair number of other (nearly) 'ready to go' new options. Once again, I'll put in a plug for japanese mortise chisels. I have one and love it; I plan to get more as the $ to do so develops... (If you want suggestions on particular makers of japanese mortise chisels, etc., I can provide some and other people here can provide more, and likely better, etc). But other people have had good luck w/ other contemporary makes as well.

Best,

jk

Re: mortise chisels

rocky eulo

>Thanks Jonathan. I haven't really looked at the Japanese chisels but any information would be welcomed. Any major differences between Japanese and Western chisels? Any good website to look at? Thanks again.

Rocky

A few comments...

Jonathan Kaplan (OR)

>Japanese chisels in general are a bit different than their western coutnerparts, though still recognizably the same beasts.

First, Japanese chisels are made from two kinds of steel -- a very hard steel that makes up the cutting edge, and a backing of softer steel. There have been many discussions on this site about whether this matters, and if so how much, so I'll leave you to search for those threads if you are interested. (The idea is to get the benefits of hardness without the brittleness; how well this works is the subject of some debate...)

They tend to be a bit shorter than western-style chisels. Some peopel like that, some don't. The backs are hollowed rather than flat. This aids flatting, but can in time require some maintanence.

Some good sources for japanese chisels (in no particular order) are:

Hida Tools: http://www.hidatool.com/wood.html

Hiraide America: http://www.japanesetools.com

Japan Woodworker: http://japanwoodworker.com

Misugi Designs: http://www.misugidesigns.com/tools.html

And I'm sure there are others. I've mostly bought from Japan Woodworker and have had no complaints. Their selection of ultra-high-end tools is not as extensive as some of the other sites, but since I'm not really in the market for the ultra-high end, that hasn't proved to be a problem for me.

I think at some point the main issue with chisels -- bench, mortise, paring, or whatever -- has to be what fits your hands and work-style. There are a large number of high-quality chisels with great steel, etc., out there. I happen to like the feel (and I'll admit it, the look) of japanese chisels. But that's not to say that there aren't a number of other choices that might work better for you...

Best,

jk

Thanks

rocky eulo

>

Re: mortise chisels

Jeremy Osner

>Rocky -- I've always been happy with my Two Cherries mortise chisels. They are cheap and sturdy, and do the trick. YMMV -- some people here have reported trouble with 2 Cherries.

Re: mortise chisels

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>I've had my LN's mortice chisels for several months I'd e-mail them and see what's up. I tried the Hirsch ones and thought the handle was to big for my taste.

Re: mortise chisels

Alan Hamilton

>rocky,

My lovely family--after some hinting--got me a set of Two Cherries mortise chisels last year. I couldn't be happier with them. They replaced a very serviceable set of Marples mortise chisels that I've used for a couple decades; but they are much better implements of destruction...er...construction.

The Two Cherries are real serious tools: the steel is very stout; they are quite long, which I like because I find it easier to hold them at 90� to the stock; they take a very sharp edge and hold it exceptionally well; and the handles are huge, both long and big around, and feel just right in my paws. Again, I couldn't be more pleased with them unless they chopped mortises by themselves--and sharpened themselves, of course.

You might look for Hirsch chisels. I'm told they are identical to Two Cherries in everything that matters.

Alan

LN Mortise Chisels

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>Yesterday, from LN:

We are taking orders for the Mortise Chisels now and will probably be able to ship an order in two to three months. We have made and shipped some, but so far we are working around the bevel edge chisel production.

Re: LN Mortise Chisels

Todd Stock

>I called them a month or so ago and got a 1/4 thru 1/2 in two days, along with the 5/8 width bevel edged.

Have not done anything really taxing yet, but a quick set of mortises in QSWO showed that the edge is pretty durable.

Re: LN Mortise Chisels

rocky elo

>Went ahead and ordered a 5/16 from LN. Hopefully it will be here before 4-6 weeks. Thanks for the help everyone.

Rocky