Hey guys,
As I continue my tool quests - I keep coming back around to one main thing....
I like using good tools. Honestly - I don't really care if they are new or old so long as they are good...
Good means they work right...
I like chisels that work right. I like planes that work right. I like saws that work right....
But therein lies my dilemma....
Most budget to medium priced new stuff is a "parts kit" at best... You have to do a lot of work to get to where you can find out whether it's good or not... HF chisels were a perfect example for me.... I got 1 useable chisel out of a pack of 6.. The rest were mush - but it took me too many hours to get there.... I recently exchanged a new Pfeil that was too soft and just sent back a brand new set of Two Cherries chisels yesterday because the backs were rounded and bellied from overzealous factory polishing...
But unfortunately - most old stuff is the same... You have to do a lot of work to get to the point where you can decide whether it's good or not..... I spent a ton of time on a couple old Pre-war Stanley planes only to find the casting on one was way out of square... So I am the proud owner of a parts-master plane... Pre-war parts on a 1980's vintage sole... But it works right now.... And you guys saw the old Sheldon chisel I have started on... The jury is still out on whether it's any good...
And now I am appreciating what the extra money on the "Premium" tools brings... They should only need the minor expected work - honing the edge or such - to make them useful... They don't lose the script taking perfect steel, perfect heat treatment, perfect grinding - and then rolling all the edges and burning it on the polishing wheel...
Thanks
John