Thread: Blue Spruce Chisels

The bench chisels are resin-impregnated, while I believe the DT paring chisels and long paring chisels are not, on the basis that you won't be hitting them with a mallet. I seem to recall Derek Cohen saying that his are handled with African Blackwood, and thus wouldn't be suitable for hitting anyway. I've only seen the DT paring, so don't know about feel or blister likelihood!

Was it the bench chisels you were looking at? I am currently waiting on the USPS to deliver a BS chisel to me, unfortunately it's got the long paring handle (in cocobolo ). Let me know if you like the shape (don't think I can link to it as it's a commercial site? Forum TOS anyone?), you could futz around with the dimensions as required.

Hell, depending on where you are in Melbourne, you could come over and get a proper look at it!

Unless you're in a hurry. I'm getting married in two weeks and the only ww-related stuff I'm doing at the mo is party games, don't know if SWMBO would fully understand a Chisel Appreciation Society springing up around her...

I'm in Doncaster.The long version is just an extended standard isn't it?

Yeah, as far as I know (they look bloody similar!)
I'm in North Melbourne; I'll let you know when it arrives...

Originally Posted by Needles

Yeah, as far as I know (they look bloody similar!)
I'm in North Melbourne; I'll let you know when it arrives...

That be cool. I used to live in Nth Melb at one point.

These are the normal handle and long paring handle next to each other. Broadly similar form, although paring appears to be narrower than the norm even given its extra length. Might be a perspective thing. Definitely doesn't have the same curve, due to the length.

PR.500_big.jpg

EDIT: just to be clear, I pulled this off the BS website. This is not a photo I have taken, so all comments are based on the picture rather than 'handling' them (sorry, couldn't resist)

Maybe I was getting excited prematurely, it took three days to get from Portland to San Fran!

They might arrive on your wedding day! Why are you late to the church for your own wedding????…Well err…my beautiful chisels arrived and I just couldn't stop holding them and admiring them and well they seduced me out to the shed to pare some wood. lol.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

They might arrive on your wedding day! Why are you late to the church for your own wedding????…Well err…my beautiful chisels arrived and I just couldn't stop holding them and admiring them and well they seduced me out to the shed to pare some wood. lol.

"Yeah I know I missed the ceremony, but look at the shape of that handle"!

If you read this oh darling, my beautiful bride-to-be, I'm only (half) joking!

I have the Blue Spruce mallet. It's also resin infused but feels like well finished wood. Doesn't increase the risk of getting a blister. Beautiful mallet, just about everything on Daves website looks stunning.


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I feel like cancelling all my patients for the rest of the day, on the basis that I don't have enough patience to wait before trying her out!
The handle is exquisite, the lands non - existent and the balance sublime.
All of which means little, of course, until I introduce it to its partner-in-crime, timber!
Unfortunately opportunities for fine paring will be scant while I finish off the A-frame made from dimensional lumber and sheet goods...
Soon, my precious....

Originally Posted by SimonArchibald

I have the Blue Spruce mallet. It's also resin infused but feels like well finished wood. Doesn't increase the risk of getting a blister. Beautiful mallet, just about everything on Daves website looks stunning.


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Doesn't it though?
I see what people mean about them being too beautiful to use!
My LN tools are beautiful in a different way; marriage of form and function and all that, they look like well-designed, well-made tools. BS almost seem fragile, a much more evanescent aesthetic...
Right, I'm going to go before I start waxing so lyrical I'll need a thesaurus to write the post!

(Can you tell my 2pm didn't turn up??)

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Here's a point to ponder.
For centuries, native carvers in the Pacific Northwest/Coastal have made their
tool handles such that your second and third fingers just touch the ball of your thumb.

I have built 7 crooked knives. They are common shapes in this day and time.
You buy the blades, the handles and sharpening is entirely up to you.
PacNW bladesmiths understand that there are just too many individual preferences.
I have many other carving tools (gouges/skews and so forth).

I am inclined to believe that the diameter/circumference of the tool handle is very important.

Originally Posted by Needles

I feel like cancelling all my patients for the rest of the day, on the basis that I don't have enough patience to wait before trying her out!
The handle is exquisite, the lands non - existent and the balance sublime.
All of which means little, of course, until I introduce it to its partner-in-crime, timber!
Unfortunately opportunities for fine paring will be scant while I finish off the A-frame made from dimensional lumber and sheet goods...
Soon, my precious....

Congrats Needles!

You mention patients, and with the name Needles are you a Dr???
Maybe you could use the chisel to perform a minor amputation to get you through the rest of the day until you ind some wood. Then again your desk might start to look mighty tempting!