Thread: Chisels

I couldn't find any of these LN ones at the local $2 shop, must be out of stock?

Thanks Guys will post some pics of my collection as I go and the boxes for them. Who knows I might even use them on a project rather than procrastinate and just collect and sharpen.

It's the willingness to help out mates that makes this place such a great resource. Thanks to all...............

It is truly amazing what can be found at op shops, many moons ago I got a Leigh jig for $10, no one knew what it was.
I sold it on and wish now that I had kept it.
You have to be early and lucky as dealers also do the rounds.
Having said that when I was on holiday in the tropics (read armed forces Vietnam) I acquired an Omega Seamaster for AU$5.00 off a local, worked for a week then stopped.
Took it to one of our instrument makers who told me the bamboo spring had dried out, bastards

For anyone wanting a good read this Xmas be sure to get Chickenhawks written by Robert Mason. Great tale of life holidaying in the tropics.

My time was less hectic in a peaceful Malaysia but I have nothing but respect for the Guys in Vietnam and disgust for the way they were treated on return.

Were you on Penang,Benny?

The Chief Designer bought me a single Japanese chisel from Carbatec for a present. It is a world away in quality and ease of use to a Stanley or even a reconditioned old chisel from the markets (of which a I have a couple). I got another one for Christmas. These chisels are not cheap (about $50 each), but if you could convice your loved ones to supply them as Christmas and Birthday presents, you could build a a decent collection over a couple of years.

They come with a very nice edge and when it came time to resharpen it, I only spent about 2 minutes on an oilstone and it was slicing off arm hairs. The hollow ground back assists in lapping and the way the harder and softer steel is laminated really holds a good edge. Robert Howard's chisel review in Australian Wood Reveiw noted just how good these chisels hold their edge, even compared to top notch western chisels like Sorby or LN.

Plus there is something ascetically pleasing about Japanese tools (except perhaps for the saws which don't seem to have the same beauty of form) - maybe its a darkside Zen / Feng shui

Originally Posted by stevebaby

Were you on Penang,Benny?

When it was full of Aussies in 1980-82.

3 months on Penang then the rest over in Tan Sai Gin.

Hi

the thread may be a bit cold now, but have you considered getting a set from the US. I got some Ashley Iles chisels to use for 'delicate' jobs. They have fairly nice hardwood handles and take a very good edge and aren't polished like the German ones so they are easy to flatten. Not really for bashing with a hammer though. Here is a link...

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/i...d=IL-100-10.XX

you can also pick these up on e-bay, but I haven't seen them cheap.
Just my pennies worth. Importing is certainly cheaper here in NZ.

Originally Posted by bennylaird

I couldn't find any of these LN ones at the local $2 shop, must be out of stock?

Thanks Guys will post some pics of my collection as I go and the boxes for them. Who knows I might even use them on a project rather than procrastinate and just collect and sharpen.

It's the willingness to help out mates that makes this place such a great resource. Thanks to all...............

They're rubbish anyway.I tried to open a tin of paint with one and it stuffed the lid completely.The other one just chewed up screw heads when I tried to undo them.

Originally Posted by bennylaird

When it was full of Aussies in 1980-82.

3 months on Penang then the rest over in Tan Sai Gin.

Lovely place (or was when I was there as a kid ,1959-1962).Did you ever go to the Snake Temple?
I can still hear the scream from my mum when a viper dropped on her head from the rafters above.:eek:
Dunno what the fuss was about.It didn't bite her or anything.

Snake Temple was fun, had just as many around our RADAR site as well out in the Paddy fields.

What about the turtles at Aya Itam (cant spelll but the temple of a thousand steps on Penang Hill)?

Originally Posted by bennylaird

Snake Temple was fun, had just as many around our RADAR site as well out in the Paddy fields.

What about the turtles at Aya Itam (cant spelll but the temple of a thousand steps on Penang Hill)?

...and the funicular railway.It was a magic place to be a kid.I've never been back - don't want the memories spoiled.
Sorry to get so off-topic,all,but Bennie brought back some happy memories and I couldn't resist.

Just don't start on the food memories!!!!!!! That would just set me off.

Food, I spent two weeks on an Army base, that was really an epicurean experience
It made those little ration packs look really good.
I also spent a couple of days with the US Navy on one of their ships, what an experience that was, the food was surprisingly good considering the numbers they had to cater for.

LOL it was the local food that I'm craving.

Roti's
Murtabahs
Chiili Crab
etc etc