Bahco Chisels

[jaegerhund]

Anyone familiar with Bahco chisels? 

Justin

 

[mwhafner]

I haven't used their chisels, but do own one of their cabinet scrapers.  It is an excellent tool.  Holds a burnish as well as my LNs, and came with a sleeve that protects the edge.

 

[jaegerhund]

Cool  -- thanks and welcome to the forum (a little new guy fellowship  ) --- I think Bahco bought out Sandvik and I've heard pretty good stuff about their chisels and such --- maybe they are the same chisels?

Justin

 

[Woodenfish]

I remember reading years ago that Sandvik and Bahco brands are both owned by the Snap-On Tool company.

 

[jaegerhund]

Yeah --- I think Snap-ON has popped up in some of my searches for info on the chisels ---- but it is sometimes difficult to find out who owns who.  The chisels I'm looking at are in the $10-20 range (a piece)--- attractive price range for me.

Justin

 

[Forrest Anderson]

In 1991 Sandvik acquired the Bahco Tool Group, and put it in the "Sandvick Saws and Tools" group.

In 1999 Sandvik sold the "Sandvick Saws and Tools" group to Snap-on.

Bahco is now one of the brands owned and marketed by Snap-on. The Snap-on 2007 Annual Report lists the company's various brands, although most of them are unfamiliar to me in the UK:

Products are marketed under a number of brand names and trademarks, many of which are well known in the vehicle
service and industrial markets served. Some of the major trade names and trademarks and the products and services
with which they are associated include the following:

Names Products and Services

Snap-on: Hand tools, power tools, tool storage units, diagnostics, certain equipment and related
accessories, mobile tool stores, Web sites, electronic parts catalogs, warranty
analytics solutions, business management services and OEM facilitation services
Acesa: Hand tools
ATI: Tools and equipment; specialty tools for the aircraft industry
BAHCO: Hand tools
Blackhawk: Collision repair equipment
Blue-Point: Hand tools, power tools, tool storage units, certain equipment and related accessories
Cartec: Safety testing, brake tester, test lane equipment, dynamo-meter, suspension tester, emission tester and other equipment
CDI: Torque measuring instruments
Fish and Hook: Hand tools
Hofmann: Wheel balancers, lifts, tire changers, wheel aligners, brake testers and test lane equipment
Irimo: Hand tools
Irazola: Hand tools
John Bean: Wheel balancers, lifts, tire changers, wheel aligners, brake testers and test lane equipment
Kansas Jack: Collision repair equipment
Lindstrom: Precision hand tools
Mitchell1: Service information, shop management systems and business services
Nexiq: Diagnostic information for fleet and heavy duty equipment
Palmera: Hand tools
Pradines: Garden tools
ShopKey: Repair and service information, shop management systems and business services
Sioux: Power tools
Sun: Diagnostic and service equipment
Williams: Hand tools

Hope that helps

Forrest

 

[dirtydeeds]

jagerhund

i use bacho 434 chisels the handles do not break or chip when being beaten by my 30oz estwing

the steel is good and takes an edge

the cheaper models (i think they are 323s, i have one or two)

the handles do NOT take a beating from a hammer, a mallet would be no problem, the steel is good

 

[jaegerhund]

Thanks fellas --- appreciate the info ---- knew I could count on you  .

Justin

P.S.    Forrest, special thanks for the extensive brand related facts. -- and DD,  nice to hear it from someone who uses them.

         
         

 

[Frank-Jan]

Dirty Deeds, I think the cheaper ones you are referring to are the 424p model and the other ones the 434 (they have the word "splitproof" on the handle. (they also sell a cheaper range), I went downstairs to check the numbers, instead of googling first... link to pdf-promo-flyer.  
I have a few of both the types you mentioned, and I like them aswell, mine get regular beatings from my estwing aswell, but I only hit them with the side of the head and even the 424's can take it. (And they wont "split" when I go berserk on them and do hit them with the face of the head, worst that happened where little chunks coming off, but even those chisels are still functional.)
I like the plastic holders/holsters they come in aswell, for when I only need 1 or 2 chisels, and don't need to bring the entire roll. Aside from the handle, the 434 also has a more "polished" surface, the horizontally ribbed surface is a lot less than an the 424's, but although they look flat, when you start flattening the back, vertical grooves show up. The steel of the bahco chisels is similar to that of the "Nooitgedagt" chisels I already had, this was a Dutch brand that used Swedish steel with red plastic or wooden handles, but Nooitgedagt was bought by Irwin a while ago, and the chisels aren't sold anymore, we also have a few sets of the Irwin chisels with the blue and yellow handles, but the steel is way too soft and/thus they won't hold an edge.

Btw I like all my chisels a lot more since I got myself a wet sharpener for my birthday two years ago.

 

[jaegerhund]

Cool-- thanks Frank-Jan -- according to the brochure, the ones I'm looking at are the 425's --- I don't plan on beating on them too much --- I've also considered the Irwin Marples Blue chisels but I get mixed opinions on them.  I like the Two Cherries but don't know if I need them or want to spend $20-30 a piece  --- I basically need some chisels that are better than the ones I have but ones I would not be afraid to abuse a little.

Justin

 

[greg mann]

While it is not totally germaine to the quality of the Bahcos it should be pointed out that Sandvik, as a total corporate entity, is not likely to be bought by anyone any time soon. It may be that the quality of the chisels is related to the fact that Sandvik is one of the world leaders in the manufacture of specialy steels, what we think of as tool steels, but really many more grades than just tool grades. They are also the world's largest carbide manufacturer with many innovative cutting tools in their range. All of the marketing entities that Forrest listed could probably be swallowed up by the Sandvik empire through their petty cash box. IMO, Sandvik is one of the worlds best run companies.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Many years ago I bought some unique abrasives from Sandvik.

They are thin pieces of "steel" mounted on orange plastic handles. The metal is etched away leaving a diagonal grid of sharp edged round pillars so the cutting action is equal in all directions. The coarse version consists of a smaller number of fatter taller pillars and the fine a huge number of shorter smaller diameter closely spaced pillars. The "steel" seems to be satin chrome plated after etching. The ones I have are curved like a half round rasp.

They are the most rationally designed and manufactured abrasives I've every seen and they have lasted a long time but I wish I could find more. Any of you guys on the right side of the pond know if they still make these abrasives?

 

[greg mann]

How about a pic, Michael?

 

[bronx]

I use them and now only them. Those are good chisels - stay sharp fairly long. Over here in Denmark they are regarded a quality produkt.

Best regards Thomas

 

[murphyt]

I have used Bacho chisels for roughly 2 years now and found them excellent and not needing as frequent sharpening as my irwin marples chisels. Specialist woodworking shops here frequently stock  only them. I also have a few sandvik handsaws and they are super. .

 

[josephgewing]

I am having a hard time finding a US source for Bahco chisels.  Any hints?

Joe

 

[jaegerhund]

I am having a hard time finding a US source for Bahco chisels.  Any hints?

Joe

I came across them on ebay --- but the pickens are slim. 

Justin

 

[Per Swenson]

Maybe you could give these folks a email.

won't hurt.

per

 

[josephgewing]

Thanks, Per.

I will post their response.  Hope they turn out to be a good source for all of us that are interested.

Joe

 

[Michael Kellough]

Many years ago I bought some unique abrasives from Sandvik DISSTON.

They are thin pieces of "steel" mounted on orange plastic handles. The metal is etched away leaving a diagonal grid pattern of sharp edged round pillars so the cutting action is equal in all directions. The coarse version consists of a smaller number of fatter taller pillars and the fine a huge number of shorter smaller diameter closely spaced pillars. The "steel" seems to be satin chrome plated after etching. The ones I have are curved like a half round rasp.

They are the most rationally designed and manufactured abrasives I've every seen and they have lasted a long time but I wish I could find more. Any of you guys on the right side of the pond know if they still make these abrasives?

Well I was wrong, they were made by Disston.

The thin metal was nicely hot glued to the plastic handle but the half round versions are de-laminating.

I found a fine version that is flat instead of curved and still securely adhered.