Thread: Bahco chisels

Hi Ikkyu,

The closest thing I've got to a Bahco chisel is a half inch Sandvik that my Aunty gave me for a birthday present when I was a kid, would have been back in the 70's or very early 80's. It has been a good chisel, but then again, I only muck around with wood as a hobby so it probably hasn't been worked all that hard.

I think the Bahco chisels have a good name and I reckon you're correct in assuming that they would be better than the current offerings from Stanley.

I haven't seen the wood handled Bahco chisels anywhere. I have seen the plastic handled ones around a fair bit though. I don't know where in Sydney you are but on the Northern Beaches I've seen the red plastic handled Bahco chisels at Mitre 10 in Mona Vale and Hardware and General in Brookvale. Mitre 10 at Mona Vale also has the set of 6 Bahco chisels with the orange and black plastic handles in a wooden box and so do Total Tools at Brookvale.

If you can wait until the Sydney Timber and Working With Wood Show that is on from 2nd June to 4th June you could compare all sorts of chisels and perhaps do a good deal with one of the exhibitors at the show. I remember seeing a few sets of Bahco chisels around last year, just can't remember who was selling them.

Regards,
Mirboo.

Hi Alistair,

I have some vintage Sandvik and modern Bahco. The Bahco ones I have was from when Sandvik still owned Bahco [Snap-On now does].

There is a definite difference between the two. The former Sandvik branded were purchased from the late 1960s and early 1970s. I wasn't expecting much when I bought them as even back then the notion older chisels had better steel was prevalent--and true.

But ones from that era and older are simply good chisels whether they had the plastic or wood handles.

The NOS Bahco-branded sets I bought last year are not as good of steel, less well finished if that matters to you. It didn't to me. I bought two sets in order to have a set to take for onsite installations and another for the sharpening classes I teach. As it turns out, they are not poor chisels as regards the steel. They are comparable to the yellow handled Lee Valley ones, which I also have.

If you can obtain them cheaper than the LV ones, I would say go for it. You will need to hone them at a higher angle than they come. They may have a time in really hard Aussie woods, especially at the low grind angle they come with.

Take care, Mike

Hi guys,
Thanks for the info, Miroo I don't live far from the Mona vale only about a 20 min drive i might check that out thanks. I have had a few bahco tools and I know the hacksaw blades are great. I have seen the red handle ones I like the look of the thin style blade I want them for some finer work I’m looking at making a scabbard from a tai chi sword I have it won't be working very hard woods maybe some jarrah just as long as they take a nice fine edge they seem to be in my price range right now I just spent most of my money on a LN spokeshave which I’ve fallen inlove with and a set of Japanese craving knifes I will one day maybe in a year or so get some high grade chisel but right now I just want something that is good but not junk. MikeW thanks for the info I’ve never seen anything buy lee valley but I’ve heard good things about it. I read that the bahco chisels come with a 25° bevel would a 30° be better for a thin blade like the red handle ones.

Thanks,
Alistair

Originally Posted by Ikkyu

I’ve never seen anything buy lee valley but I’ve heard good things about it.

Lee Valley are a Canadian based mail order tool company. A lot of the people on this forum (myself included) order stuff from them via the Internet. I think it would be safe to say that are known for the quality of their tools and their customer service. You can check out their website here.

Regards,
Mirboo.

Thanks for all info guys,
I was speak to my father and he gave me 3 old titan and 2 enik anton chisels needs abit of work but i have 30mm spotted gum staff that is very long i never used it but i got it cheap so i'm going to make some new handles out of that should be fun. I will save the money i was going to spend on the bahco chisel to get a new HNT or LN block plane.

Thanks again,
Alistair

Ikkyu -

You could do a heck of a lot worse than Titans and Bergs. I recently made up a nearly complete set of paring chisels (minus 5/8") comprised of both. Old chisels with some nice new handles are great. Enjoy them!

Cheers,
GW