Whatever Happened to Ashley Isles Paring Chisels

[Gary Curtis]

A few retailers still offer the A.I. bevel edge and butt chisels, but not paring chisels. I recall seeing them for sale in 2005, but no more. At least here in N. America. Lie Nielsen doesn't seem to make that configuration.

Any place I can look?

Gary Curtis

[Mike Wenzloff]

Hi Gary--contact Joel at Tools for Working Wood and if they still make them [something I didn't know!] he might be able to get them.

Else, Henry Taylor and Sorby still make long paring chisels, and currently I am led to believe the Taylors have better steel than the Sorbys [which I have some older ones and they are great]. The Taylors and Sorbys are available from The Best Things:
http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/henry_taylor_paring.htm
http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/sorby_paring.htm

As well, the Sorbys are available form Joel:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=toolshop&Category_Code=TBPC

Take care, Mike

[Frank Desaulniers]

Hi guys,
Lie Nielsen makes long-handled chisels, not called "paring chisels" on their site but that's what they are. They're not meant to be struck with a mallet but pushed. And if you look at the URL address for them, you'll see the term "paring." The design is reminiscent of Japanese paring chisels (long handle, short blade).
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=Paring

[Joel Moskowitz]

Ashley Iles hasn't made real paring chisels since the 1970's - chances are what you saw was some London Pattern beveled edge chisels that were mis-named.

[Mike Wenzloff]

Hi Frank--actually they are the same chisels as their bevel-edged chisels, the long handle is an order option. David Charlesworth recommends them this way for paring. One can also, if you have the other handles, merely rap the chisel and switch handles for the two purposes.

However, a long paring is thin and fairly flexible. A different animal than a bevel edge bench chisel.

Take care, Mike