Thread: Chisel Sizes

Most chisels to this day move up in regular imperial increments.

However the tolerances between old makers is not high, the width of two 1/4" chisels can vary between makers.

The only non common chisel size, common in that you can get good old chisels in that size is a 1/8", and smaller. 1/4", 3/8", 1" chisels are relatively common. Anything over 1" becomes progressively harder to find.

You can do most your work with a 3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm chisels. I tend to like a 1 1/4" chisel is one of my favorites.

Harold and Saxon and Blue Spruce Toolworks can make you any chisels width that you like for a price.

Originally Posted by thumbsucker

Most chisels to this day move up in regular imperial increments.

However the tolerances between old makers is not high, the width of two 1/4" chisels can vary between makers.

The only non common chisel size, common in that you can get good old chisels in that size is a 1/8", and smaller. 1/4", 3/8", 1" chisels are relatively common. Anything over 1" becomes progressively harder to find.

You can do most your work with a 3 mm, 6 mm, 12 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm chisels. I tend to like a 1 1/4" chisel is one of my favorites.

Harold and Saxon and Blue Spruce Toolworks can make you any chisels width that you like for a price.

Thanks mate,

I was intending to either get a set of six made up from Harold & Saxon or buy a set from Lie Neilson but would like to keep the business withing Australia if I can. Maybe even get a better product some would argue?

Do you ever find yourself needing sizes like 7mm? or even 13mm?

I would love to have two sets that go up in increments of 2mm. Starting at 2mm through to 20mm then another up to 30mm. Just a dream I have 15 chisels isn't so bad....

Don't bother with the inferior A2 Lie-Nielsen chisels, buy a H&S set.

I'd offer to make you a set but Trent deserves the business

Lie Nielsen chisels inferior? That is a bit misleading, they are very good chisels that may not be as good as H&S but they are still excellent chisels.

Originally Posted by Groggy

Lie Nielsen chisels inferior? That is a bit misleading, they are very good chisels that may not be as good as H&S but they are still excellent chisels.

Indeed, they are well crafted chisels.
The H&S seem to be very appealing and not much more than the Lie Neislon's.
Can any one shed some light on the performance on a comparative basis?

Originally Posted by funkychicken

Don't bother with the inferior A2 Lie-Nielsen chisels,

By what do you base that analogy on?
Have you personally used and compared both brands?

I'm not being defensive because I like and own L&N there are enough folk who will do that.

I'd like to know how you draw that conclusion.

I have 2 sets of Lie Nielsen Bevel & Mortise socket chisels and I have no problems with them in use or function.
In saying that I have also ordered a H&S set back in February well before I bought the L&N sets.

I WILL be interested in comparing the two however it is a broad statement to make unless its a done thing!!

Cheers

Originally Posted by Groggy

Lie Nielsen chisels inferior? That is a bit misleading, they are very good chisels that may not be as good as H&S but they are still excellent chisels.

They're great chisels, I'm just rather pro-Australian when it comes to tools. I didn't mean that LN chisels (or any of their products) are no good, I've used LN chisels and planes before and I can say that they're top notch.

LN are A2, H&S are Cryo treated M2
LN are American, H&S are Aussie
LN have small handles, H&S have man size handles made from Brass and Australian Timbers
LN cost $104 each, H&S cost $130 each

I'm just rather pro-Australian when it comes to tools

As it should be. But in saying that, many innovative tools come out of the sates and other countries.
We, here in Australia have some very high quality tool makers and some very poor tool makers, many of which are imports.

Many of the older tools produced here are of a high quality, as are those produced today.

There is not much price difference and if it came down to that, I would buy, as Andrew said, Australian to keep the business here.

I've used LN chisels and planes before and I can say that they're top notch.

The plane (4 1/2) I have used is a great plane, of the highest quality, joy to use.

LN have small handles, H&S have man size handles made from Brass and Australian Timbers

True, nothing like having a small chisel, lack control and overall feel unless you are paring.

I have 2 sets of Lie Nielsen Bevel & Mortise socket chisels and I have no problems with them in use or function.
In saying that I have also ordered a H&S set back in February well before I bought the L&N sets.

I WILL be interested in comparing the two however it is a broad statement to make unless its a done thing!!

How are they to use? Easy control? Feel right in the hands?
I reckon they are a little small. Could make some new handles I suppose.

We had a rather large, mean looking mother come into work the other day, chopping mortice's for a workbench with the mortise chisels from Lie Neilson, he was poundding the CRAP out of them, ended up splitting the handle on one of them. Do you find the handles to be weak? As well, it needed honing after about 15 mins of chopping. Do both your bevel and mortise hold an edge when using on Australian Hardwoods.

Thanks,
Harlan

Originally Posted by Wooden Mechanic

How are they to use? Easy control? Feel right in the hands?
I reckon they are a little small. Could make some new handles I suppose.

We had a rather large, mean looking mother come into work the other day, chopping mortice's for a workbench with the mortise chisels from Lie Neilson, he was poundding the CRAP out of them, ended up splitting the handle on one of them. Do you find the handles to be weak? As well, it needed honing after about 15 mins of chopping. Do both your bevel and mortise hold an edge when using on Australian Hardwoods.

Thanks,
Harlan

I've been using the LN mortising chisels on some pretty tough timber for the last few months and they have behaved very well. Cutting has been no problem at all, especially after honing a slightly steeper angle on them. They keep an edge well. The only issue I've had is a handle that likes to come loose that I need to re-seat. Longer term I'd like to make some slightly longer handles and, IMHO, if I were to make chisels like these I'd prefer a slightly deeper socket.

funkychicken, Wood Borer will be very disappointed

Whilst on sizes (and size isn't everything) would anyone of the forum know of the number of sizes that Titan made their firmer chisels in? I ask this because I have two nominally 1/4" firmers. I say nominally 1/4" because one is a 1/4 but the other appears to be 9/32". Have I got a chisel that's met an impact it shouldn't have and is squashed a bit at the pointy end or did Titan indeed make chisels with such subtle differences between them?

Cheerio,
Virg.

Originally Posted by Groggy

I've been using the LN mortising chisels on some pretty tough timber for the last few months and they have behaved very well. Cutting has been no problem at all, especially after honing a slightly steeper angle on them. They keep an edge well. The only issue I've had is a handle that likes to come loose that I need to re-seat. Longer term I'd like to make some slightly longer handles and, IMHO, if I were to make chisels like these I'd prefer a slightly deeper socket.

I gotta say that perhaps LN did not have OZ timbers in mind when they produced these chisels because I do endorse what Groggy has said in their use.
Admittedly the handles could do with some reconfiguring in design but there is nothing to stop any of us having the handles replaced with OZ made timber handles being a socket fit.
As Groggy said they do hold an edge well and to date I have been relatively pleased with the cut on Sheoak and Jarrah that I predominately use.

For me it may well be chalk & cheese comparing the two but they will suffice at least in the interim until Trent lets me have my chisels he is in the process of producing.

Cheers

Horse for courses really.

I rarely use a mallet with my LN's but so far they've held up wonderfully against jarrah and karri. I have large hands and I find the handles on them perfect, espescially for delicate trimming/paring.
If I need to get more aggressive I use my Kirschens.