Advice on a good chisel set...

[hk538]

I've been tinkering in relief carving for the past few years, but have always used some crappy chisels. I noticed my small v-gouge has became so thin on the right side that the metal flaps in the wind:-D

I'm looking to buy a new set of chisels with a couple of good gouges for stock removal and long, comfortable handles, if that's possible. I'm on a budget, but I definately don't want to buy bad chisels like I've been using. I've been thinking of buying individual chisels from Woodcraft or Rockler, but not sure if this is a better way to go.

Anyone know of nice set for under $75 that has a good selection of chisels in the set? Needing these for relief carving also.
I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Greg

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000224EV/qid=1142218759/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-3447248-2415022?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

those got good reviews and I know of a few people who own them and like them. there's a review in this magazine on page 17.

http://www.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/content/binary/SEP04WM.pdf

Edit: I should clarify...the Marples and Irwin chisels are the same. I believe one company bought the other, but not sure of that.

 

[McRabbet]

Greg, There are several possibilities, depending on how many you need. Grizzly offers a Chinese-made set of 12 carving chisels for under $70 (I have this set, but haven't used them!). They are long handled and sturdy, but I cannot vouch for the quality of their edges. You can also buy very high quality Robert Sorby Chisels for $25-35 each or for about $100, a very good quality Henry Taylor 6 piece set from Lee Valley Tools.

Smaller handles are available in Flexcut carving chisels like these at Hartville Tools.

Lee Valley has a very good selection of carving hand carving items and you might want to browse their selections thoroughly. They are a very good firm.

Rob

 

[hk538]

McRabbet, those aren't bad lookin' chisels from Grizzly. They don't look like the typical chinese made stuff. Also a couple of the sets in Lee Valley are almost identical to the set I have now that aren't worth throwing away



Greg

 

[hk538]

**Update**

I ordered the 12pc set from Grizzly and also found a Japanese Gouge set from Amazon that looks well made. Figured I'd try those to and see what kind of quality they were. Not sure as to how they will fit the hand as they're made for use with a mallet too. I'll give them a try and let you know.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DD6UB/qid=1142263271/sr=8-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-3257505-0999351?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

Thanks again,
Greg

 

[woodguy1975]

Greg, There are several possibilities, depending on how many you need. Grizzly offers a Chinese-made set of 12 carving chisels for under $70 (I have this set, but haven't used them!). They are long handled and sturdy, but I cannot vouch for the quality of their edges. You can also buy very high quality Robert Sorby Chisels for $25-35 each or for about $100, a very good quality Henry Taylor 6 piece set from Lee Valley Tools.

Smaller handles are available in Flexcut carving chisels like these at Hartville Tools.

Lee Valley has a very good selection of carving hand carving items and you might want to browse their selections thoroughly. They are a very good firm.

Rob

I have as set of those Grizzly's that someone bought me for a present. They work ok, but don't stay sharp long.

John

 

[kbcrafter]

Hi Greg,
If you want to get some good chisels go to Smokey Mountain WoodCarvers @ www.woodcarvers.com . They are over in Townsend, Tenn. They aren't the cheapest but they have good quality products and they can give you any advice that you might want. I've dealt with them in the past and have gotten good service from them and so have a number of guys that were in my carving class.
Kevin

 

[hk538]

I'll probably look to see what they have as Grizzly is out of stock on the 12pc set, so I'm back to square-one.
Thanks for the link

Greg

 

[Bill]

I've been tinkering in relief carving for the past few years, but have always used some crappy chisels. I noticed my small v-gouge has became so thin on the right side that the metal flaps in the wind:-D

I'm looking to buy a new set of chisels with a couple of good gouges for stock removal and long, comfortable handles, if that's possible. I'm on a budget, but I definately don't want to buy bad chisels like I've been using. I've been thinking of buying individual chisels from Woodcraft or Rockler, but not sure if this is a better way to go.

Anyone know of nice set for under $75 that has a good selection of chisels in the set? Needing these for relief carving also.
I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Greg

Greg,
I have been getting chisels as I needed them at places like Woodcraft. There's a guy there (Tom I think, who makes knives) who has put me onto some nice buys. I use a combination of FlexCraft (palm) and the swiss made(long handle). Also got a neat long handle from a guy in the Sandhills Carving Club. I was given a set for Christmas but am only using about four or five of them - haven't gotten to what to do with the others I guess. Hope this helps.

Bill

 

[Ozzie-x]

Good news on carving chisels and chisels. The Mid-West Tool Collector meeting notice came in the mail today. The theme of the meeting is carving chisels and chisels. There will be some nice displays and some nice chisels for sale. I may take some for display and sale. I'll do a separate post of the meeting notice and details.

 

[hk538]

Randy,
what type chisels are you planning on selling?...I'm still in the market if you're selling:-D


Greg

 

[michaelgarner]

i have a set of marples, good set, but i dont know if thats what you want

 

[hk538]

Hey Mike,
Are they bench chisels or carving chisels?....Looking for something in a few gouges and v-tools with good handles on them.

Greg

 

[Ozzie-x]

Randy,
what type chisels are you planning on selling?...I'm still in the market if you're selling:-D


Greg

Hello Greg,
Most of the chisels I have that need new homes are bench, mortise, and paring type chisels, all quality good name chisels like Witherby, Swan, (old) Marples, Stanley, Greenlee, etc. There may be a few stray carving chisels and gouges, but probably not many. There's maybe 12+ chisels that I turned cocobolo handles for, with and without the leather washer ends, that I intend on selling. I've also got a brand new complete set of the Record/Marples "split-proof" bench chisels that need a new home.

 

[hk538]

Let me know if you find any for woodcarving in the bunch. Depending on what they are, I'll probably be interested.

Greg:saw:

 

[PeteM]

Randy - What mortise chisels do you have?

pete