Thread: German brands to look out for

Originally Posted by nihilism

I'm going to germany in december and was thinking about trying to pick up some good quality hand tools. At the moment i'm looking for a good set of chisels but will probably be after a few other things as well.

Anyone know of some good brands to look out for?

Hi Nihilism,

I have just come back from a few months in Germany and Austria.

The Bunnings equivalent (in Austria at least) is Bauhaus, BAUHAUS Österreich / Willkommen they have some good stuff, mostly made in eastern european, ex soviet bloc countries, whereas Bunnings have stuff from China, Bauhaus have stuff from Romania, Czech republic, Poland, etc etc. I saw a lot of carving chisel sets, but can't recommend a brand as I wasn't familiar with any of them. I did see some nice Pfiel chisels, but not cheap..

Pedder (from Kiel) sometimes visits this forum, he might be able to recommend some specific brands to look for.

The brand that comes most readily to mind for German Chisels is Kirschen Two Cherries. You might want to look at MHG as well, MHG Chisels although I have no personal experience with them.


Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by nihilism

I'm going to germany in december and was thinking about trying to pick up some good quality hand tools. At the moment i'm looking for a good set of chisels but will probably be after a few other things as well.

Anyone know of some good brands to look out for?

if you're going to Berlin, Dieter Schmid would be worth a visit Homepage of Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools

If you're going to Munich, a day trip to Metten to visit Dick GmbH is a must homepage | DICK GmbH - More Than Tools
If you've the time, maybe consider one of their courses

pfeil, stubai and dastra (and the obvious kirschen) are the much known brands, you can easily find them in Germany.

Old ulmia brand tools are very common, but they are saw and handplanes most.
Unless you are searching for an ulmia 1610, but I don't know if you have enough room in your baggage...

Pfeil is Swiss, Stubai is Austrian.

Typical German brands are: Two Cherries, MHG, Hirsch, Ulmia, Bracht and Carl Heidtmann tools.

How about some planes......wooden bodies so they're light.

E.C. Emmerich: Cabinet making tools

Originally Posted by ian

if you're going to Berlin, Dieter Schmid would be worth a visit Homepage of Dieter Schmid's Fine Tools

Good advice; great firm for web-order too.

Cheers

Graeme

Thanks guys, i will be trying to orgainize a day trip to Dick tools, visit a Bauhaus and if all else fails i can always place an order with Dieter Schmid when i get home as i'm not going up as far as Berlin.