Recommendation needed - butt chisels

[Scott Thornton]

I'm looking for a good set (not the premium neanderthal set) of butt chisels that I could use for things like hand cut dovetails, chiseling out the pins and tails etc.

Thanks.

[John Hain]

How much are you looking to spend for a set?

[Scott Thornton]

$100 or so, if there was a really good set for a little more, say 150, that would be fine, but I don't do enough to justify a $300 set (especially since I have a D4R). It's really just to play around with, maybe do a couple boxes or something, hobby type stuff.

[Ted Miller]

Scott, I purchased the 4 pc set from Garrett Wade, 25T01.30. Really like them and I am thinkng about the 7 piece set as well...

[Jeff Craven]

You can get a set of 5 or 6 Ashley Isles Chisels for around $100: http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/ashley_iles_bench.htm

I have their bench chisels & they are working out great for me.

[John Hain]

I'd go with something like this Two-Cherry set if you want to go non-Japanese. Personally, I like the Japanese sets, but they are a bit more expensive. You're not going to get C65 but you'll get about 62 and some damn nice chisels. I don't think you'll need more...........

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/L!5001501.htm (http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/L%215001501.htm)

[Mike Weaver]

I'd go with something like this Two-Cherry set <snip>

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/L!5001501.htm (http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/L%215001501.htm)
It's been covered before, but I would strongly suggest the NON polished set so that you don't have to work so hard when initially flattening the backs of them. (The polished ones are rounded over at the edges).

-Mike

[Steven Wilson]

I wouldn't look to a set of bench chisels for working with dovetails. If you mainly use powertools and then chisels to make things fit (or cut dovetails) then a few, very good, different types of chisels will fit the bill. For cleanup you're mainly using a paring action and I find some of the japanese chisels to be fantastic for this. There are also a few good japanese chisels that are really nice for cutting dovetails. I would give Harelson Stanley a call and talk with him about your needs. You should be able to obtain a couple (2-4) chisels that will me your needs, perform fantastically, and stay close to your budget.

This is from a post long ago, but the japanese chisels on the right are really useful for fitting things
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6167&d=1080431976

[Scott Loven]

I'm looking for a good set (not the premium neanderthal set) of butt chisels that I could use for things like hand cut dovetails, chiseling out the pins and tails etc.

Thanks.
:eek: OH, I thought this was an off topic constipation questions!:)

[Mike K Wenzloff]

The mentioned Ashley Iles are the most bang for the buck and work well for both bashing with a mallet and fine work like squeezing into the corners of dovetails.

Take care, Mike

[Brian Boru]

Howdy Folks,
Can someone tell me if the Ashley Iles chisels are true socket chisels or a socket & tang combination?

First post - being reading a long time - great board.

[David Stonner]

the ashley iles are tang. i have a set of six of the butt chisels. good steel and keep an edge well. the small size and thin blades are perfect for dovetailing...that's what i bought them for. i have no reservations about using a wooden mallet on them either. bubinga handles look nice. i use mine a lot. got them from "the best things" but there are a few other places to get them.

dave

[Mike Henderson]

If you really want butt chisels, this set from Lee Valley (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=30029&cat=1,41504)are well thought of. Don't know if that's what I'd choose to do dovetails, though.

Although not butt chisels, check out this set (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=46403&cat=1,41504)of bench chisles by Hirsch. Same as Two Cherries but lower cost - around $100.

Mike

[Pam Niedermayer]

You might want to check out these Myanaga dovetail chisels (http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-set-of-4-Dovetail-chisels-3-6-9-12mm-Laminated_W0QQitemZ110101493670QQcategoryZ20762QQc mdZViewItem)

They're good chisels for small money, even shipping from the UK is very cheap from this guy.

Pam

[Zahid Naqvi]

I have the LeeValley butt chisels, they have really good steel but the indentation in the handles is too pronounced for my grip, a smaller indentation or probably a rounded handle would have been more comfortable. The crown chisels (http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11345) look very comfortable and balanced visually, but I have not tried them yet.

[Andrew Homan]

I can't remember where I saw them, but Two Cherries now offers butt chisels. I've been using a 1/4" Ashley Iles that I got from Joel and really like it.
-Andy

[Brian Boru]

Thank you David Stonner regarding the Ashley Iles.

They seem like a good value for the money.