Who is making O1 chisels of high quality?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Hello all:

I have been doing a lot of power tool work lately, but haven’t forgotten my roots!

I was happy to see Veritas showing O1 chisels on their site. Went to buy, but it says “no longer available.” I think O1 steel got a bad rap because people always said it dulls faster and overlooked that it gets sharper and is easier to sharpen.

I would like a small set from a quality maker. Who is making them now? Thanks in advance.

Building an unplugged campaign chair and hope to have a post before long.

[Derek Cohen]

Malcolm, I'm sure that it is a matter of time before LV begin manufacturing again.

In the meantime, Ron Brese has begun making chisels. I am sure that he would also customise them for you. There are also Ashley Iles chisels. Plus .. of course ... a whole lot of Japanese chisels to choose from.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Nathan Johnson]

Ashley Iles and Hirsch/Two Cherries?

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Malcolm, I'm sure that it is a matter of time before LV begin manufacturing again.

In the meantime, Ron Brese has begun making chisels. I am sure that he would also customise them for you. There are also Ashley Iles chisels. Plus .. of course ... a whole lot of Japanese chisels to choose from.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Ah, You know, I love my Japanese chisels. Maybe I need to upgrade to a better set of those. Did not think of it.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Ashley Iles and Hirsch/Two Cherries?

Didn’t know they made O1. Thanks.

[scott lipscomb]

I have a number of Ashley Isles chisels that I use often and are very decent. Nice thing about O1 for me, is it is readily available in annealed form, and is pretty simple to work and harden. I have made a number of blade tools that seem to me every bit is good as they blades that I have purchased. So...another possiblility (with the unlimited extra time that I am sure you have) is to make exactly what you want. I have been thinking about making a set of dovetail chisels, inspired by what I have seen here by Ron Brese and by David Weaver over on another forum.

[Jim Matthews]

Didn’t know they made O1. Thanks.

Check your PM folder.

[David Bassett]

I'll vouch for Ashley Iles chisels, I have and like them very much. I had Chris Gochnour grab one of mine for quick class demo, after a full day of intermittent use, and when he returned it comment "that's really sharp". Given my pedestrian sharpening skills, I take that as a ringing endorsement of the chisel.

That said, there are other O1 and near-O1 / O1-like chisels that might have different balance and profiles which you prefer.

Pfeil Bevel Edge chisels are metric only, but I'm pretty sure I could be happy with them.

New Stanley Sweetheart 750 socket chisels, not sure they're O1 exactly, but they're within shouting distance, and many people like them. (Chris Gochnour's daily users are 750's, though I'm not sure if his are vintage or the new reissues.)

Woodriver socket chisels have fans. Again not sure they're exactly 01, Woodcraft says "100 CR-V" whatever that is, but they get good reviews putting their sharpening in the O1 class.

Narex aren't O1, though they are reasonably easy to sharpen, and their heat treat leaves them a little softer than the others. Premium & Classic are (seem to be) different handles on the same chisels. The Richter line is different steel, a little harder, a little more delicate, and very well reviewed. I'm pretty sure I would be happy with the Richter, but I had the Ashley Iles before they were released. Maybe neither of these are up to your standard, but should still be on your long list since you're teaching and beginners can be budget conscious.

[Michael J Evans]

I have the Richter's and they seem pretty good to me. I sharpen them with a medium diamond then, soft ark and hard black ark and both the arks seem to cut well.

[Phil Mueller]

Malcolm, if this is for your teaching class, I have a few vintage 750s and Buck Brothers I’d be happy to donate to that cause. PM me if interested.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Malcolm, if this is for your teaching class, I have a few vintage 750s and Buck Brothers I’d be happy to donate to that cause. PM me if interested.

Thank you, Phil. That is very kind. This is for my own shop. I wouldn’t want the students destroying vintage chisels!

[Derek Cohen]

Just by coincidence, I am thinning out my tools in preparation for retirement and downsizing in a few years, and today placed this set of vintage Stanley #750 chisels on the Australian forum for sale. No, I am not suggesting anyone here purchase these - the shipping would be prohibitive. I am curious, however, how they are viewed and what reaction I might expect (as I am biased, of course) - run-of-the-mill or special?

There are 7 chisels ranging from 1/8” through 1”. All the blades were machined by myself to have minimal lands. Here, the Lie Nielsen were my model (ironically, since LN are modeled on the Stanley #750). The handles are West Australian She-oak, which is very hard. They are modeled on the Blue Spruce, but elongated to balance the extra weight of the sockets (which they do, wonderfully). They come in the box ...

https://i.postimg.cc/wBnmZyB8/S8.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/DwyLX3ND/S5.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/mgXM36fr/S6.jpg



Regards from Perth

Derek

[Dean Arthur]

The lacy figure on the (I believe) 1/4" handle is just exceptional. Was thinking how beautiful it would look on a chefs knife.
I bet you'll have a hard time letting them go.

[David Bassett]

... I am curious, however, how they are viewed and what reaction I might expect (as I am biased, of course) - run-of-the-mill or special? ...

I'd go with special

I can't suggest a value as I'm continually surprised by selling prices. But since Jim Bode regularly get $195 for lightly used sets of the new 750's, (even though they show up for $160 new on Amazon!,) I would think that is an absolute baseline and would guess $400 or more for nicely upgraded vintage models would be very reasonable.

[Stephen Rosenthal]

Derek,

I think David is on to something. Patrick Leach usually offers these individually at $50-100 depending on size. And your’s are MUCH nicer than those he sells. I don’t know what the market is in Australia, but I’d go at least US $400.

[Tom M King]

I'd pay a hundred, just for the 1/8".

[Mel Fulks]

Malcolm, look on eBay for the old “cast steel” chisels. The one I sent you is cast steel, I’ve always liked those as they seem to be so slick,
leaving a really smooth surface. I see little difference among the old brands.

[Jim Koepke]

It is always a bit strange checking the site in Oz and seeing this:

452258

jtk

[Jim Koepke]

BTW my favorites, if we are talking vintage, is my Buck Brothers bevel edge chisels for paring and Witherby straight edge for firmer chisels.

There are many other vintage makers that are worth pursuing if one wants to accumulate full sets.

jtk

[Phil Gaudio]

Lie Nielsen O-1's come up from time to time either or the forums or on ebay I sold a set of these some time ago: as I recall, they did not command a significant price premium, but this was before the plague.

[Derek Cohen]

The lacy figure on the (I believe) 1/4" handle is just exceptional. Was thinking how beautiful it would look on a chefs knife.
I bet you'll have a hard time letting them go.

Thanks Dean

Will these do? The wood is also a She-oak, with a more subtle figure. This set went to my son and soon-to-be daughter-in-law ...

https://i.postimg.cc/xCvCw207/EBE8197-D-3958-4-B24-B4-CC-B80-D2061-F4-E0.png

https://i.postimg.cc/sXdxHXR7/2FCC7A43-8D37-43B7-88C7-7F3C9E7B3B01.png

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mel Fulks]

Just looked on Ebay . Did not know how much the prices had gone up !! Few years back several dollars would buy a good chisel. The money
is so inflated that I’m gonna have to tie kite string to to it !!

[Dean Arthur]

Exactly! Beautiful, intriguing knife block as well. Quite stunning. Always a treat to have heirlooms like this - no doubt your son and his bride to be love it.

I'm sure we've all gotten a little thrill when visiting guests notice a piece and ask where they can get one, and get to discover there's only one in the world.

Wish it was easier to trade wood around the world. That she-oak is reminiscent of our North American maple stained with aquafortis, traditional with our long rifles.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Sorry I lost this thread and missed Derek’s beautiful chisels. I would have paid the shipping for those! I found a set by Andrew Kimmons; Kimmons Tools. Pulled the trigger on them. Exactly the set I was looking for.
452779