Paring chisel

[Carl Crout]

Is a paring chisel really necessary to clean out joints?

Who makes them? All that I can find are Sorbys.

Thanks

[Mike K Wenzloff]

Henry Taylor also makes the long paring chisels, Carl. I believe The Best Things carries them.

I often use a long paring chisel to clean out dadoes, but only if I didn't want to hunt down the router plane. I've used them to pare shoulders of tenons and tenon faces, but mainly out of convenience in that they were within reach.

But perhaps mostly I use them on mortises when I use an auger to drill out the waste. Long paring chisels are nice when needed, but not essential tools. I grew up using them and so I wouldn't want to be without them because I suspect I use them more than what it would seem from the above. I just don't think about it much.

Take care, Mike

[Wilbur Pan]

My understanding is that the things that distinguish a paring chisel from other types are that the bevel is usually more acute (about 25 degrees or less), that the handles and/or chisel are longer, so that it is easier to make sure that you are paring at the angle that you want, and that the handles are shaped to be held and pushed, and are not meant to be struck with a hammer or mallet. They can be skewed to help get into a tight corner, or they can be flat across the face. There are western and Japanese style paring chisels as well.

Having said that, I've sometimes used bench chisels for paring in situations where the length of a paring chisel has gotten in the way.

Also, it's sometimes possible to replace the handle of a bench chisel to make it longer.

You can find some paring chisels for sale here (http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=toolshop&Category_Code=TBPC), here (http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/default.php/cPath/39_171), here (http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/chisels.htm), here (http://www.japanwoodworker.com/dept.asp?dept_id=12795), here (http://www.japanwoodworker.com/dept.asp?dept_id=12796), and here (http://www.hidatool.com/woodpage/chisel/slick.html).

[Bob Smalser]

1) Is a paring chisel really necessary to clean out joints?

2) Who makes them? All that I can find are Sorbys.



1) Yes. But any long bench chisel will work in a pinch. In the realm of specialty tools, it's usually wiser to let your tool acquisitions grow with your woodworking and toolmaking skills, not the other way around.

2) You can easily make your own paring chisels at low cost from flea market prewar chisels. Any long, thin chisel of good quality can be ground thinner, the back flattened, the socket bent to facilitate paring flush, and a 20-25-degree bevel applied.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/5090019/123394641.jpg

And a shortie or two ground as a parer is handy to carry in a pocket sheath and does all sorts of jobs where there isn't room for the long'uns.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/5090019/76085129.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/5090019/176177070.jpg

And while you have that pile of flea market steel and the grinder and bucket of water handy, make you up a set of these for paring in spots no other tool will reach as well:

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/5090019/72454940.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/5090019/72690483.jpg

[Carl Crout]

Thanks for the replies. I ordered a Henry Taylor 1/2" paring chisel as well as a Henry Taylor 1/4" mortising chisel to see how I like them.

[Steven Wilson]

I'm a fan of japaneese paring chisels, something about the asthetics that is very pleasing (and they're very good too).

[Dominic Greco]

1) Yes. But any long bench chisel will work in a pinch. In the realm of specialty tools, it's usually wiser to let your tool acquisitions grow with your woodworking and toolmaking skills, not the other way around.

Bob,
I have to tell you how much I enjoy reading your no-nonsense, and incredibly informative responses (especially the recent Shoulder Plane thread)!:D

It's cool seeing how you've taken these old beauties and "tweaked" them a bit so their more useful to you.

Keep those great tips coming! We appreciate them

[Bob Smalser]

Keep those great tips coming!

Thanks.

I can also show y'all how to make better tool rolls and aprons than you can buy for half the cost.

And I generally buy my beauties by the pound. Cheap.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/5090019/64842844.jpg

[Richard Niemiec]

Bob: What Dominic said. And by the way, the more I read of what you write the more I appreciate your sense of humor and attitude (the latter in a good way), especially your articles over on Wood Central.

Rich