Thread: Hirsch or Narex chisels?

Guys -

Wow. LN clearly gets a ringing endorsement.

Derek --

Appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Maybe you are right ... maybe it would be better to build up a set of good vintage paring chisels (like Bergs) rather than spend a whole lot on a new set that might not have the right profile. I'll sleep on it.

The Jap chisels are still a little out of my price range.

I would still be interested to get an opinion from someone who's used the Narex. Maybe also someone who uses Two Cherries / Hirsch for paring work could comment on that also.

Cheers,
GW

Well, I've given away the idea of buying Narex or Hirsch, and have followed Derek's suggestion of rehabbing some of the 'good old' stuff.

I've picked up several Bergs cheaply, and am supplementing them with a few Titans. I must admit, I'm surprised at how similar the profile is. The Titans I've managed to get are nearly (though not quite) as slim as the Bergs. They're certainly a good deal slimmer than many others I've seen.

The set is coming together. Only need a 5/8" Berg (or maybe Titan) to complete it (that'll be 7 chisels from 1/4" - 1 1/4"). I've been ripping the handles off, cleaning the blades, and turning new handles in beech. All are designed for paring work. I'm just doing them slowly, one at a time.

I did a 1" Titan yesterday. It took nearly two hours to get out the chips from the bottom of the blade using 80 grit (I don't have a grinder)! It's shaving sharp now. It took longer to sharpen than my Bergs. Man, they used darn good steel in those Titans. I really think they are the rival for the Berg, only they don't have the same renown.

I actually have a real nice spare Berg firmer that I'd be happy to swap for a 5/8" bevel-edge Berg. Anyone interested? I don't care if it has a handle or not, as I'll be redoing a new one anyway.

Cheers,
GW

Attached is a piccie of the first 2 that I rehabbed for anyone interested.

GW

They look terrific, and will make excellent users. And everytime you pick them up they will be special. Could you say that about a new Hirsch?

Regards from Perth

Derek

(Reminder to self - Got to stop telling others about Berg! There'll be none left for me!!)

Thanks, Derek. Point taken. They are real nice to use.

How do you think the old Titans stack up against the Bergs? Given the fact that I will be rigging them up with the same handles, do you really think there's much difference between the blades?

Cheers -- and thanks for the inspiration!
GW

Great job on the chisels GW. I like the profile on the handles especially! Where did get the ferrules from?

Cheers,

Thanks, Andy.

Sorry the pictures aren't clearer. I snapped them on my camera phone, and not on my digital camera. I'll take some fresh ones when I get a chance (but not sure when that will be, as my wife is pregnant, and now overdue by 1 day).

The ferrules are brass pipe that I sourced from a scrap metal yard in Sefton, Sydney. Not the easiest stuff to find, I've learned.

Cheers,
GW

Here is another thread comparing Hirsch tin openers, this time with Ashley Iles tin openers. I have the latter and like them. Got them from the US - Tools for working wood I think. They seem to be popular over there in the US.

Hi GW,

Those came up pretty good - just need to see some nice slivers

Hi Steve.

Well, I pared some sassafras the other day with my 1 1/4" Berg, and it was like a knife through butter. Beautiful slices just came away sooo easily. The final honing on my Carbatec $20 polishing waterstone (my bargain brag) really made the difference.

Regards,
GW

I'm a bit thick. Wrote about a link and never included it - here it is. http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthr...=&fpart=1&vc=1

well, it is an excuse to reach that milestone...100 posts. I wonder if that is something to be proud of?

Hey all.

A few more pics ... still with the camera phone. Too lazy to get out the proper one ...

Here are the 3 I've rehabbed so far. Titan in the middle with two Bergs. So similar in profile, don't you reckon?

Then I've taken a side-on shot showing the difference in side profile. The Titan is a little thicker, but not a whole lot - esp when compared to other chisels.

I look fwd to using the chisels side-by-side for the sake of my own comparison. I suspect already, however, that dollar-for-dollar the Titans are the goods. That said, the Bergs really are lovely bits of steel.

Cheers,
GW