Chisel Recommendation

[Alan Lilly]

I'm looking to get a good (but not too expensive) set of chisels.
I've done all the research I can do on the web and magazines.
I've narrowed my choices to 2:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005823/17801/WoodRiver-8-Piece-Bench-Chisel-Set.aspx

[/URL][URL]http://www.amazon.com/Boxed-Narex-Bevel-Edge-Chisels/dp/B0002KLFWU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1264218859&sr=1-6 (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005823/17801/WoodRiver-8-Piece-Bench-Chisel-Set.aspx)

The woodriver are $72 after woodcraft coupon and the narex are $60.
The narex were given a "best value" recommendation by Fine Wood Working issue #200.
The woodriver set comes with 2 extra chisels and they use a stronger socket chisel design.
I am also swayed by the beautiful bubinga handles of the woodriver set.
What really sucks is that the 8 piece woodriver set was $50 before Christmas, but I missed that.

Do you guys have any experience with either or both of the chisels and a recommendation?

[Callan Campbell]

I've read that many less expensive chisels that appear to be a socket chisel design are actually tang chisels made to resemble true socket chisels. It shouldn't be a deal breaker either way for you since many great chisels are of tang construction and not socket style. If someone hadn't written about it, I would have never known, :rolleyes:. Also, don't missing looking at Toolsforworkingwood for some more choices from Ashley Isles in your chisel quest.

[Jeff Willard]

Over at the Neanderthal Haven, the Narex have a pretty loyal following. People that have 'em seem to like them. I don't recall hearing much about the Wood River over there. You'll get a lot of input from those people.

[Joshua Easter]

Check these out before you pull the trigger.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&cat=1&p=41504

Cheers

Josh

[Mike Henderson]

I went to the Woodcraft site and the description says "bolster and ferrule" which indicates a tang chisel, similar to the way a Japanese chisel is attached to the handle. And if you look at the enlarged picture, you can see a line between the bolster and the ferrule on the largest chisel in the picture.

There's nothing wrong with that technique of attaching a chisel to a handle but if you expect a socket chisel you'll be disappointed.

Mike

[glenn bradley]

At about $10 a chisel these are reasonably priced. I bought a set of the Marples years ago for as they were reasonably priced at the time and I wanted to get a feel for what I would really use. Although I have added other chisels for specific reasons, these are still my main "users". Funny old world, ain't it?

The Marples did not test as well as some. I am sure part of the reason they are still regularly used is my Worksharp 3000. When I am doing a lot of chisel work, I keep it setup nearby and it takes just a few seconds to re-touch a chisel I am working with. I hardly break stride to re-hone.

I did try one of Grizzly's "Japanese" chisels that reviewed so well in FWW as far as 'bang for the buck'. I find it pretty unsatisfactory and can't actually remember the last time I reached for it. The inexpensive LV Butt chisels I have are quite outstanding. Here again, a thought as to why; they are used mostly for paring so I am not whacking away at them with a mallet. They have been through a couple projects without touch up.