Chisel choice ?

[RussellS]

Not sure what happened, but the Sorby's will roll the edge (like the previously mentioned Narex) when chopping mortises into pine.  My dad blames his technique on the Worksharp for cooking the steel.  I've been meaning to regrind them on the Tormek and see if they are salvageable.

Not sure about your Dad damaging the chisels by over heating them and taking the temper out.  I think with chisels the final quarter inch or so of the chisel is hardened and tempered.  So your Dad would have to grind 1/4 inch or so off the ends when he initially sharpened them.  Or turn the 1/4 inch at the end of the chisel bright orange from heat to take the temper out.  Did he stick the chisels in a forge and get them blowing hot?  Or take a propane torch to the tips?  Guessing your Sorby chisels did not really get a good tempering/hardening at the factory.

 

[AndyUK]

I've got a cheap set of blue handled Stanley Chisels which are great value for money and get used the most.
Also have some Ashley Iles with Bubinga handles which are luverly.  [big grin]

 

[WoodChuckWoods]

I love my Blue Spruce chisels, he has acrylic infused handles that make them extremely durable, plus it's a 1-2 man operation made in the USA[attachimg=1]
But I'll also say lie Nielson makes a great chisel

 

[adcolor]

My relatively recent experience (about a year ago) started with a mix of Greenlee/Craftsman, Freud, and an old US brand socket chisel (I think Keen Kutter). And I needed a couple more. Research led me to Pfiel or Two Cherries, as they regularly finished 2nd or 3rd against high end chisels. Great price for good performance (generally they were lowered less for performance than for subjective values). I have been happy with them. The other chisels were replaced in about 2 weeks.  They just did not hold an edge. It costs me more, but it was a good comparison.

Two Cherries chisels,  Kirschen tools. Also sold as Hirsch (spelling?). 3 handle choices, including plastic/rubber style.

 

[JimD]

I bought a third set of chisels tonight on the way home from work.  At Aldi's (better known for selling food).  The price was so low I decided to give them a try, $7 for a four piece set.  Nice long blades.  I've read them compared favorably to Narex.  Can't be much worse than my old Craftsman.  Might work as well as my Footprint.  I will have to fire up my WorkSharp and take off the grinder marks and see how they do.