Thread: Your opinion on second hand chisels please

They look good ! Good English steel.

Run, run a mile! Sorry Bunya Pine.

The top one looks bent (to me) and there's a mix of blade types too. Also, thin chisels bend easy and I've found are best bought at markets etc so you can have a decent look at them.
At the very least, ask the trader for a pic of the back of the blades to see if there's any significant pitting. I'm not sure where you're at with your woodworking handtool kit. Do you have any chisels yet?

Originally Posted by seanz

Run, run a mile! Sorry Bunya Pine.

The top one looks bent (to me) and there's a mix of blade types too. Also, thin chisels bend easy and I've found are best bought at markets etc so you can have a decent look at them.
At the very least, ask the trader for a pic of the back of the blades to see if there's any significant pitting. I'm not sure where you're at with your woodworking handtool kit. Do you have any chisels yet?

I have some ok chisels but the bevels are quite fat, and im looking to get some chisels that have finer bevels as i find them tricky to get into corners without bruising. I could buy some second chisels, some cheapys and belt sand the bevels or could save and buys a good set of new ones e.g. 4 ashley isles. They are around $200 with shipping so would have to save a bit (apprentice wages). I still need to buy a marking guage\and a tenon saw ( I have a cheapy bahco hard point tenon but its a bit painfull to cut dovetails with). I am contemplating biting the bullet and saving for the Veritas dovetail saw because it seem to be the cheapest good one where i wont want to upgrade in the future. As for a marking gauge havent decided if I should get a wheel (cost more) or the old style spike. I have 4, 4.5 and 5 planes that I picked up second hand Anyone have any suggestions on a finnish for the totes im currently thinking walnut tinted danish oil?

Hi zinzander,
Well, I'm of the opinion that 2nd, Hand Chisels are very good, & my reasons are, they have been through many Summers & Winters & have more or less been Tempered, making them pretty good.
Should not have to pay more than $ 5 - 6.
To get them from a Weekend Market, you will pay a lot less than those new ones.
Sometimes I remove the Handle to clean them up.
A wire wheel on your grinder will do a nice job, then you can polish them if you wish with some Green Rouge on a Swans down mop. Don't apply to much G/R, so then you can do the Handles, & Brass or Steel Ferules.
Of course you can just buy Blades & make you own handles, & finish with Beeswax.
The Chisels you have there, will be very nice when cleaned up, but don't polish the Decals off as that makes them better still.
Well thats my 2sense worth.

They look fair enough, plenty of length left. I'd start the restoration by flattening the backs, use a glass plate and wet and dry ( unless you happen to have some good stones. ) then you can work on sharpening.

I wouldn't spend too much time cleaning and polishing.. Just get them sharp and put them to work.. Maybe just square up the edges of the firmer ( 2nd from the top ). Regrinding the bevels to make the edge lands smaller, requires a bit more work, and more complex setup.

I have some Footprint chisels, they are quite good. Marples, no problem there.. John Bull, I'm not familiar with.

Ray

I am a fan of old chisels and you can build up a good working collection for a reasonable cost. There is a bit of work involved to get there but even new chisels need the backs flattened and have to be sharpned. Plenty of posts on this forum on how to do it. Also plenty info to be found on line. I look for old British brands like Marples, Ward, Tyzak, Matheson, Sorby and others. If it has Sheffield steel then chances are it is good whatever the brand. Australinan made Titan is also very good. Berg from Sweeden is another to look for. Now the thing with secondhand chisels is to grab them when you find them at the right price. Not a bargin if they break the bank. I think issatree is about right on what those are worth.
If you need a reasonable set of new chisels right away then have a look at the Narex brand.
Regards
John