Thread: Chisel query?

If it's the same "Union" that made hand planes then I'd be skeptical of the quality

Looks like you have a good one there GW.
Union Hardware made some excellent chisels and they are sought after in the US.
The steel has a reputation for being of high quality, and holds an edge quite well. The handle is usually topped with leather striking washers, but these longer chisels work best as long parers. I have a couple and I am very fond of them.
One of the Gurus of chisel lore in the US - Bob Smallser - rates them the equal of the following branded chisels:
(Note that most of these are of US origin)

Stanley
Stilletto
Ohio Tool
New Haven Edge
White
Older Buck (older chisels will have sockets, which went out around the time forging did)
Older Greenlee
Older Craftsman made by Greenlee
Winchester
Wye
Chas Buck
Douglas (precurser company to Swan)
GI Mix
Eric Anton Berg
Underhill
Jennings
Sargent
KeenKutter
Hibbard OBV
Dixon
Robt Duke
Fulton
Merrill
Butcher
Lakeside
Union Hardware
Dickerson
Shapleigh Hardware (Diamond Edge brand)

In short, you have done well, I hope you enjoy using you chisel.
If you are not happy with it, PM me and I'll take it off your hands.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

I think The Union Hardware chisels were made by Greenlee .
Greenlee made chisels for a number of different companies , even some un-named chisels as well
I have three chisels of the same design , 1/4 " 3 /8 " and 1/2" one is Union ,two have some of the leather washers missing .I picked these up pretty cheap on US Ebay
I intend to expand this set , and then get some nice non striking handles made for them (or make them myself when I eventually get a lathe) and use them for paring chisels.

Kev

Nice chisels Kev.
They are well suited to paring.
What are the other two besides the Union?
SG

If Scribbly says they're good then the Union plane I saw must have been a different Union (It was junk)



Woodlee I'd be happy to make you some handles if you can't wait for your own lathe

Thanks FC ,I'll keep you in mind .I've some iron wood and some jarrah that would be good for handles
I have to find a handle shape that I like .At the moment the chisels are on the back burner ,along with 6 backsaws and a 4 1/2 Staley plane.

SG.
The 1/4 is a Samson and the 1/2 is un-named , 3/8 is the Union Hardware.
The Samson is not on the list maybe is dodgy ,seems to have good steel though.

Today is my last day of freedom ,been off work for a month , back to work tomorrow.

Kev

Woodlee, How 'bout something like this?

Originally Posted by Woodlee

SG.
The 1/4 is a Samson and the 1/2 is un-named , 3/8 is the Union Hardware.
The Samson is not on the list maybe is dodgy ,seems to have good steel though.

Today is my last day of freedom ,been off work for a month , back to work tomorrow.

Kev

Lots of chisels from this era were made by the quality manufacturers, and even though some went unnamed, they were usually very good. Just give it a go and see Kev, I doubt that you will be disappointed.
The Samson was made by Union Hardware and is every bit as good.
I've haven't seen quite as many Samsons as Unions and strangely, the ones I have seen have all been in the smaller sizes.
I think that we Aussie woodies aren't as well informed on US chiselmakers as we are on the English ones because that is our heritage. I guess as we become educated to them, the prices of these wonderful chisels will climb.
Got yourself some fine chisels there Kev.
Like I said, great for paring.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

Originally Posted by funkychicken

Woodlee, How 'bout something like this?

FC ,thats a nice looking handle but I had something more like those in the pics
I did a run through Ebay to get some examples of what I think would be along the lines of what I was picturing in my skull,
In the first pic the top one .but with a tenon to fit the socket of course.
The second I'm not sure on ,maybe a bit less belly in the middle
The third with out the leather and a rounded end.
Any way I will wait a bit ,because I have my eye on a few more chisels , some have no handles .

Let me know what you think about my choice of handle .I have big hands ,and there isn't much room in the palm when I close my hand, so maybe a thinner handle might be the go.

The other option I thought of is to keep the original handles and turn a wooden piece and glue it on to replace the leather.

Kev.

Woodlee, I made the chisel in that link in that design because it fitted into the hand well. Everyone's hands are different, choose a design that feels right.

Also how you're going to be using the chisel changes the design

Originally Posted by Woodlee

I have to find a handle shape that I like .

Kev

Hi Kev,
The original Union handle shape is quite nice IMHO but is, I think, a compromise so that it can be held in the hand as well as used for striking.
You could add some leather washers to the end of the handle that is missing them to restore it to its former shape.
I have taken some pix of some different socketted chisels for you to have a look at.
The group shot is from left to right:
Union Bevelled Edge 1/2"
Union Bevelled Edge 1"
G. I. Mix
Douglass
Ward Heavy
Ward lite

The handle shapes are all original except for the Ward Heavy which is a handle I turned myself that is modelled after the Douglass but has leather striking washers on the top.
Of all of them, the most comfortable to hold as a paring chisel is the Douglass.
The shorter handle sits nicely in the hand and the rounded end sits snug in the palm.
That little lip just before the top of the socket is perfectly placed for finger support.
For paring chisels there appears to be at least two schools of thought - long handles and short blades like Japanese parers, or long blades and short handles like these.
You can't have both and pare with comfort and control.
Anyway these different styles will give you something to think about as you are considering the shape of your own paring chisel handles.
Hope this helps.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

SG ,
Oh mumma mia what gorgeous chisels ,that heavy Ward looks like a beast of a chisel but has nice lines just the same .
Thanks for the advice on the handles
I'll make some new washers for the Union Hw and give it go and see how it fits the paw.I'll get some thick leather form the local saddler .
The 1/2 has no washers and has had the spigot hammered But I should be able to sanded to accept some washers ,I can shape the leather on the drill press with some sand paper .

Kev