Thread: Hirsch or Narex chisels?

G'day Green,

If you can't find someone with examples of either (or even better, both), then I'd suggest just buying one of each (maybe adjacent sizes), and then comparing them, including sharpening/honing and feel in use, etc.

Make a choice based on that.

Think also on what sort of work you will be doing with them: morticing chisels are quite different from bevel-edged ones used for dovetailing, for example.

If you want to pursue turning, then the needs are very different again.

Lots of chisels out there, some general purpose (and typically not very good at anything), or more specialised.

Steve -

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, only Hirsch are available in Aust. From what I can tell, I will have to import Narex. This makes a comparison test quite costly to begin with.

These chisels will just be for general joinery. I have a stack of mortise chisels and heavy firmer chisels. I have only a couple of good bevel-edge chisels (Berg) but would like to have a complete set of the same ones.

Cheers,
GW

Paul's Mid City Hardware (Caslereagh St Sydney) have some chisels that look to be re-badged "Narex' chisels - on the wall just inside the doors.

As you may find if you look around the forum's archives, Hirsh/Two Cherries have a habit of tumble polishing their chisels, which rounds the backs & 'is not a good thing' - LeeValley and a few other suppliers can get the chisels unpolished, which means the backs are still flat.

Originally Posted by Green Woodchips

These chisels will just be for general joinery.

Why not just get a set of Stanleys then?

The Narex probably won't be any better quality.

Hey guys.

Thanks for the tip on Paul's. I will give them a call and find out what the story is.

I was aware of that polishing issue with Hirsch / Two Cherries, but I didn't know you could get the unpolished Hirsch chisels from Lee Valley. From what I could see, they only had polished ones. I was aware Two Cherries were offered in polished or unpolished, but I thought the Hirsch line only came in polished. In any case, a couple of hours flattening would sort this out. But I would be interested to know if Lee Valley have Hirsch chisels unpolished, and at what price.

Re: Stanley. Mate, I'd rather not get into a long-winded debate over the virtues or otherwise of Stanleys, Irwin, Crown etc. I have heard mixed reports on all these chisels (at least in their new incarnations), and have heard nothing but praise for the Hirsch / Two Cherries (except for the polishing issue). Everything I have heard about Narex so far has been good, which is more than I can say for Stanley. Nevertheless, I'm willing to hear negative feedback if it is warranted.

When I say 'general joinery' I don't mean site work. I'm speaking in terms of bench work with cabinet joinery. So I should prob should have said 'fine joinery'. I already have a collection of other firmers (like Titans) for heavier work.

Thanks for offering your thoughts, anyway - I appreciate that.

Cheers,
GW

I think I will disagree... with craig

The narex will likely be much better than the stanleys. Firstly the narex have timber handles which usually give a lot more feedback when used for fine joinery.

I have personally not used the Narex (I was going to get a set but I came across a set of ECE chisels for cheap, so I bought those) but my experiences with recent stanley chisels suggest that the quality is as good as their new planes..... ie CRAP.

When I was searching the net for reviews, the general feedback on the Narex was good, but dont expect the best chisels in the world for that price.

I have been told they hold an edge reasonably and that the handles are very comfy, but the latter is of course a very personal choice....

Routermanic --

I must have been responding to Steve as you were posting. I think your sentiments echo mine. These Narex sound to me like a happy compromise for the person who wants to go the next step up from Stanley, but can't necessarily justify the cost of Hirsch. Of course, if Narex are no good (and I keep waiting to hear a response from someone who's used them) then I will prob bite the bullet and go the Hirsch.

Thanks.
GW

Well I have a set of Lie-Nielsen. They are the proverbial duck's guts.

Before I bit the bullet and bought them, I was thinking about the two cherries too.

I actually bought a 2C chisel to see what they were like,

Believe me, compared to the LN's they are paint tin openers.

5 Ln's cost me $400 and I don't regret one cent of it.

They are a pleasure just to pick up, let alone use.

Plus I will never have to buy a bevel edge chisel again.

Save up for the LNs. You'll thank me in the long run.

Craig -

Wow! A man who takes his chisels seriously indeed.

I never thought I'd see the day when Two Cherries were described as 'paint tin openers' but there's a first time for everything.

As much as I would love L-N chisels, and as much as I'm sure that I would thank you, I don't think my wife would! It's simply out of my price range.

So I guess it's a choice between the various paint tin openers!

Regards,
GW

I'd probably buy the wooden handled Stubai over the Two Cherries. They are a little bit more expensive but a bit better quality I think.

They are also polished and therefore tounded on the back but not as badly as the 2Cs. Or so I've been told anyway.

Personally I'd be a bit wary of the Narex. After all, you generally get what you pay for.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Well, as I usually write when the subject of chisels comes up, I've got the wooden handled Stubai chisels which, in a revue of chisels a bit over 12 months ago, were rated by the reviewer as better than Two Cherries.
Whether they are or not, I don't personally know as I haven't used a Two Cherries chisel.

Hi Craig and Termite.

I had a quick look on the web for some Stubai chisels, and came across them at Diefenbacher tools. They sell a set of 6 bench chisels for about $90 -- cheaper than the Two Cherries / Hirsch.

So many chisels to choose from ...

Regards,
GW

GW

Given that you already have firmer chisels for heavy work, mortice chisels for .. uh.. morticing, and some Berg chisels (which you like .. so do I!), then I would be a bit cautious about what you buy next, because you could be duplicating the chisels you already own.

It seems to me that you really want a set of chisels that you can use for more delicate work, such as paring or chopping dovetails. Well, paring and chopping have different requirements, and there are few chisels that allow you to do both in the one package. Dovetails require a chisel with very narrow shoulders/edges. The general run-of-the-mill bevel-edge chisel is closer to a firmer chisel than this. Their shoulders may be bevelled, but they are still too thick to comfortably get into shallow angles. You could, of course, grind the shoulders (I have on some) but I doubt this is in your plan.

Paring chisels are generally more delicate (i.e. thin) as they are pushed by hand and never struck with a mallet. Their bevels are honed at a low angle, usually 20 degrees, which gives them better penetration over higher angle (e.g. 30 degree) bevels, which are used in harder woods and struck. If you saw out the waste of your dovetails then you are more likely going to want to pare the balance (it is also more controlled than chopping).

What chisel can you buy that will give you all this? Well the LN bench chisels do (based on the Stanley #720), but you do not wish to spend this much (I'd also love them but cannot justify the expense ... but I'm working on it). I do not see the Hirsch or the Narex having narrow-enough shoulders to fit the bill. Check this out - don't take my word - I have not used these chisels, but most modern bench chisels fit a similar mold.

One chisel that is reasonably affordable is the Japanese type. These are laminated steel, and hold an edge better than just about anything out there. They are tough as old boots when used correctly. If you are looking for a Japanese chisel one-type-fits-all, then look at their dovetail chisels. These are triangular in cross section. They are made for being hit (and hard!) but have an excellent balance for paring. I have some Matsumura dovetail chisels from Craftsman Studio. They are not expensive, although perhaps a little more than you planned to spend. http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_...esechisels.htm

Personally, I would keep collecting those Bergs. They have excellent steel and are highly sought after as paring chisels. My set (collected over several years) runs from 1/8" through 1" in 1/8" steps (plus a 2" monster) and honed at 20 degrees.

Another thought: if you enjoy vintage chisels, then that is a good way to go. The steel is excellent and, if you are prepared to make your own handles, you can end up with a superb and personal set for little cost - and far, far better quality than most of the new chisels to be found.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by craigb

Well I have a set of Lie-Nielsen. They are the proverbial duck's guts.

Before I bit the bullet and bought them, I was thinking about the two cherries too.

I actually bought a 2C chisel to see what they were like,

Believe me, compared to the LN's they are paint tin openers.

5 Ln's cost me $400 and I don't regret one cent of it.

They are a pleasure just to pick up, let alone use.

Plus I will never have to buy a bevel edge chisel again.

Save up for the LNs. You'll thank me in the long run.

Absolutely: I have a set of five LN - and they are just wonderful. Best I've ever handled.

Of course one certain WB has the full set - just ask him what he thinks of them