Skew or Fishtail Chisel?

[Brian Kent]

For blind dovetails in drawers, will a fishtail chisel or a pair of skew chisels work better?

In case of a tie, which is more versatile?

So far I make boxes and small furniture with drawers, but I am about to try blind dovetails for the first time.

[Jason Beam]

A pair of skewed chisels works really well in my experience. I've never tried with a fishtail.

[Stan Suther]

I've used both skew and fishtail chisels for cleaning dovetails. Both are carving chisels, so they are ground on both sides. Just have to adjust for the edge angle, then go at it. Both work fine.

[Mike Henderson]

As Stan mentioned, you can use either. Whatever you do, make sure they're small (not too wide). I use a set of flat bottom skews, which I made out of a couple of Irwin 1/4" chisels. Remember that you need two skews for dovetails, a right and a left, but only one fishtail.

Mike

[Wiley Horne]

Brian,

Either will work fine. As Mike says, it's more fiddly to deal with two chisels (skews) rather than one fishtail. Also, the narrow size can be important, depending on the size pins you use.

Here's a third choice, and the one I use most often. An ordinary 1/8" chisel. 'Cause remember, when you get into those blind pin sockets, there are three approaches, and two of them are straight shots--only the top approach calls for an angled chisel. That said, I've found that fishtails have a wonderful action for all kinds of paring jobs, and are good to have anyway.

Wiley

[Brian Kent]

I have been surprised to find that there are almost no fishtail chisels under 1/2". The only one I have found is a new 3/8" fishtail from Blue Spruce.:rolleyes:

[Michael Hammers]

I have a Cape Forge L & R skew and a 3/8" fishtail. The fishtail is a favorite. I really like the way it handles.
Karyn will make about whatever size you need within reason. I cannot stress enough how well their forged tools cut and hold an edge.

http://www.capeforge.com/

[Mike Henderson]

Pfeil makes an 8mm #1 fishtail (http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1309)which is a bit smaller than 3/8" (about 5/16"). See the link for a description (at Woodcraft for about $24). Even though the picture shows a curved gouge, a #1 "gouge" is a flat gouge.

I've not used it - I just found it on the web.

Mike

[Brian Kent]

I also see the fishtail #1 carving gouges from Pfeil for about $23-30. I have been starting from a bench chisel perspective instead of "carving tool" category. I assume a 6mm or 8mm #1 sweep fishtail carving gouge would do the job.

I only have one Pfeil gouge and it fits my hand well.


Now I just read Mike Henderson's post, which says pretty much the same thing as I just found. Sounds like a confirmation to me!

[Pam Niedermayer]

The problem with making a very small fishtail is that the edge is proportional to the neck/shank. For a 6mm fishtail, the neck/shank would have to be too small to maintain strength, not bend, etc.

For a very interesting variation, go to http://www.japan-tool.com/ and choose Chisels, then Slicks, then Tasai Dovetail, read/scan the whole page. These are also sold by Iida-san. Also, check out this thread http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=51725 .

Pam

[Phillip Pattee]

Tools for Working Wood has some 1/4" and 3/8" single bevel skew chisels. You can find them by clicking on the Bench Chisels and scrolling down, they are near the bottom of the web page. The website always has good background information on the tools; their strengths and weaknesses. These chisels are apparently designed for just the purpose you have in mind. http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=toolshop&Product_Code=MS-SBSKEW.XX&Category_Code=CLW

[Brian Kent]

Pam, thank you for your links. Those are really interesting and informative threads. I appreciate your asking many of the questions I had.

Someday I would love to hear some of your experiences with Japanese handplanes too. You seem to be interested and well informed about that area of woodworking resources.

[Pam Niedermayer]

Glad it was helpful, Brian. I doubt you could stop me talking about Japanese planes when appropriate. :)

Pam

[Derek Cohen]

For blind dovetails in drawers, will a fishtail chisel or a pair of skew chisels work better?

Hi Brian

Although they are intended for the same purpose - cleaning out the corners of a blind dovetail pin - skews and fishtails work slightly differently.

The fishtail is pushed, like so ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Chisels/Dovetailfishtailcutting2.jpg

... while the skew is used on a slice, like so ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Chisels/Dovetailfishtailcutting3.jpg

I have both skews (some I made and some made for me) and fishtails (ditto). The skews have an advantage in being used as well to clean out through dovetails. On the other hand, the fishtails make wonderful paring chisels as well (I have a couple of Iyoroi fishtails, which are good value) .... just got to have both! :)

Below are 3/8" Bergs-into-skews, one of my fishtails, 1/4" Blue Spruce skews, and a handled thin blade for extending the kerf on half blind pins.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Chisels/Skewchiselsplus.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Steve Hamlin]

A related question - I've ground my homespun skews at around 10 degrees of skew, and these seem to serve well. Many commercially available skews have a very pronounced angle though - is there good reason for this?

Cheers
Steve

[Michael Schwartz]

Just take some flea market chisels and grind them untill they fit in your dovetails. They might look ugly but all that matters is that they work. You can take metal of the sides, top, bevels on the corners, and then even grind to a skew.