Firmer chisels vs bevel chisels and other ?s

[Rob Blaustein]

Like many others who have recently posted, I'm in the market for new chisels. I wasn't too thrilled by the performance of my Costco specials--a set made by Mastergrip (tried searching on Google but couldn't get much detail)--while taking a class on cutting dovetails by hand. I sharpened them but they really didn't hold an edge. From my reading here, the ones that people recommend and that run in the range of what I want to spend are Hirsch, Two Cherries, and Ashley Iles. But I notice that the shape of the Hirsch look different since the edges come straight up rather than beveled--I gather that's referred to as a firmer chisel. Does that matter, and if so how?

Also wondering about the 3 different sizes of Ashley Iles--the middle-sized ones (so called "English Pattern", scroll down here (http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/ashley_iles_bench.htm)) seem to have hexagonal handles rather than the round ones seen on the shorter or longer ones. Do people like the feel of those? Also wondering about the feel of the shortest ones--would they be too short for general use (particularly dovetail work)?

Thanks.
Rob

[Mark Singer]

It is all preference...the short ones have a shorter life since there is less to sharpen. Long ones are better for paring and the angle is more aligned with the arm....you can choke up un a long chisel...letting your hand extend onto the shaft... I always say get a few of one and a few of another...variety is the spice of woodworking:rolleyes: I have old ones and new ones and favorites for different tasks...all the chisels you mentioned are "Bench" chisels....general purpose...firmer have no side bevelhttp://www.antique-used-tools.com/WitherbyChisSqEdge_2.jpg

[Robert Rozaieski]

Also wondering about the 3 different sizes of Ashley Iles--the middle-sized ones (so called "English Pattern", scroll down here (http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/ashley_iles_bench.htm)) seem to have hexagonal handles rather than the round ones seen on the shorter or longer ones. Do people like the feel of those?

Yep, I love mine. They are very comfortable. In use, when paring, your index finger nestles ever so comfortably into the hollow right behind the bulge at the ferrule. The end is rounded and fits very nicely into the palm of your hand. The flats help register the chisel when chopping and keep the tool from rolling when it's placed on the bench. And the rosewood just feels so much nicer than the plastic of my old blue chips.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=56310&d=1170076565

[Ian Gillis]

Yep, I love mine. They are very comfortable. In use, when paring, your index finger nestles ever so comfortably into the hollow right behind the bulge at the ferrule. The end is rounded and fits very nicely into the palm of your hand. The flats help register the chisel when chopping and keep the tool from rolling when it's placed on the bench. And the rosewood just feels so much nicer than the plastic of my old blue chips.

All that plus they won't roll off the bench and onto the floor :)

[Mark Stutz]

Rob,
The firmer chisels do not lend themselves to paring/cleaning up dovetails. I find that I like the short chisels for dovetails. My hands used to ache when I did them with the Blue Chips...they were very top heavy with that plastic handle. I've not tried it with some older Witherby's with wooden handles, because I've been using the shorter ones. Hmmm, I guess I may have to experiment a little:eek:

Mark

[Mark Singer]

I found my favorite paring chisels to be the long handeled Japanese....these are great for dovetails...they will handel the light tapping and the steel is so good on mine, they rarely need to be sharpened....pricey though! My old pair are are in the $200 -$300range each...they were a good buy many years ago:rolleyes:

http://www.japanwoodworker.com/assets/images/product/JapanWoodworker/14.309.xx.jpg

[Robert Rozaieski]

Rob,
The firmer chisels do not lend themselves to paring/cleaning up dovetails.

I disagree. Dovetails were cut by hand long before bevel edge chisels were made so they certainly can be cut with straight sided firmers. I've done it. It just requires that you use a chisel narrower than the width of the pin base and angle it into the corner to pare the waste. Heck, I do this with bevel edged chisels too. I don't think I ever do the final paring with a chisel the exact width of the pin socket.

[Pam Niedermayer]

I found my favorite paring chisels to be the long handeled Japanese....these are great for dovetails...they will handel the light tapping and the steel is so good on mine, they rarely need to be sharpened....pricey though! My old pair are are in the $200 -$300range each...they were a good buy many years ago

You may want to take a look at the Tasai very thin push chisels, a dream to use and look at: http://www.japanesetools.com/tools/tasai_chisels/push.php

Pam