Lee Bussy Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I figured that title might bring some out of the woodwork. I don't have any chisels that haven't been used to open paint cans. I was thinking of buying a 4-piece set just because a large set seems wasteful and just one may not be THE one I like.I've read that the Narex may be a decent choice, I've also seen recommendations for the Stanley Sweetheart. The Stanley is about twice the price of the Narex - I can see some quality differences at the handles but that's about it. Any suggestions?I do have a set of stones and a guide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 The Narex chisels are probably the best bang for the buck without going nuts and getting LN, Veritas, or some high end Japanese chisels. I do find the handles of the Narex to be a bit big. The Stanley Sweetheart chisels are made in England and are a good chisel, though I've heard some say the metal is a little softer than they'd like in terms of edge retention. Ideally you'd want 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 1" chisels for most tasks, and add odd sizes as needed. Some people also like to get metric sized chisels so they are a touch smaller than the imperial sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) I like the size of the Narex handles. Like, really like. Like, I bought the entire line, like.Obviously, that was a bit unnecessary. But I can and do recommend them. I'd say they are the best budget set on the market, and they feel like they should cost more. Edited August 22, 2015 by Cochese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted August 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I think this may be the first time the budget choice may be a good choice. I think this may be the first time the budget choice may be a good choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I've got a set of the Stanley SH's in my limited use of them they seem to work. I don't have a lot to compare them to though. The handles fit pretty well from the factory and they take an edge well. They have deeper machine marks on the faces than I would like but the backs came pretty darn flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 Another vote for the Narex.. Good bang for the buck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I also got a set of the narex based on recommendations and love them. Of course, my previous set was a sub $10 set that lost its edge if you sneezed near it. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4square Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 The Narex chisel's are without a doubt the best bang for the buck. I did find that it took some work to get the backs flat though. About twice as long as it took to flatten the backs of my 2 Cherries. However, I prefer using the Narex chisel's over the 2 Cherries. Better balance and the handles are more comfortable for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 #1 for narex... I've several bench chisels 6 in fact, a set of mortise chisels and a couple skew chisels... You'd be hard pressed to find a better chisel for the money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) Narex chisels have been widely praised for their value. The first iteration of their handles got very mixed reviews, but they have a newer, more traditional hooped handle that has gotten great reviews. Edited August 22, 2015 by micks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I only have a mortise chisel from Narex. If the bench chisels are as good as this one then you will be very pleased with them. I always say buy the best you can afford as you will have them a long time. So home center sets can stay on the shelves unless you have some paint cans to open. Get some Narex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I have a set of four Narex Chisels and a couple LN Chisels. The Narex are good but there is a significant difference between the the two IMHO, LN hands down a much better chisel that holds a much better edge than the Narex. I almost always reach for my LN's first unless I run into a situation like I did the other day when my 1/2" LN chisel came out the socket and smacked the concrete. I did not want to mess with rehoning the bevel at that time and was glad I was able to grab the 1/2" Narex. I digress, the Narex Chisels are a very good value but do yourself a favor and buy 1 premium chisel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted August 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I figure chisels are like chefs knives or straight razors ... You can put an edge on anything but after that it's how it feels in your hand and how long it lasts. I will probably damage the edges more frequently than normal for a while, so practice honing is not a bad thing. I would not want to buy a premium chisel till I know what I like. I've read people say they have 30 but always grab one. I'd like to figure out which one that is first. On the bench vs mortise chisel thing: I thought a mortise chisel was one where it has a full bevel on the sides. Is that the only difference? If so, why wouldn't I want all mortise chisels since they could do both? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Mortise chisels are thicker with non-tapered sides. This way it fits the mortise squarely and resists deforming with some leveraging, prying, and pounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 Bench chisels generally (there are always exceptions however) have a bevel on the sides. A mortise chisel is square sided and is deeper in section than it is wide. Mortise chisels have one purpose - making mortises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) I figure chisels are like chefs knives or straight razors ... You can put an edge on anything but after that it's how it feels in your hand and how long it lasts. I will probably damage the edges more frequently than normal for a while, so practice honing is not a bad thing. I would not want to buy a premium chisel till I know what I like. I've read people say they have 30 but always grab one. I'd like to figure out which one that is first. On the bench vs mortise chisel thing: I thought a mortise chisel was one where it has a full bevel on the sides. Is that the only difference? If so, why wouldn't I want all mortise chisels since they could do both? More like the opposite. Mortise chisels have square sides. The two are also ground at different bevel degrees. The steel is thicker on the mortise chisel; you'll be doing more pounding and lever actions with the mortise versus the bench. Bench are more suited to paring and light chopping. Bench, particularly ones that have a beveled shoulder all the way to the tang like the Narex premium, are suitable for making and cleaning dovetails.I am no chisel expert though. You could do both tasks with one or the other, but you're more likely to induce error, dull the edge, and take longer. Just my experience.If you want to practice honing (because you'll be doing it constantly) you could pick up the $10 set from Harbor Freight. Practice putting microbevels, experiment with different grinds, etc. I kept a couple of them for opening plastic packages or finish cans. Edited August 22, 2015 by Cochese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) I think both Graham Haydon and Paul Sellers have mortise demos on YouTube comparing bench to mortise chisels. Edited August 22, 2015 by C Shaffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted August 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2015 That was pretty cool! Okay, bench chisels it is. They have a regular and premium, any differences besides $10? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted August 23, 2015 Report Share Posted August 23, 2015 I have a set of Narex mortising chisels & like them a lot. They sharpen pretty easily & hold an edge well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 There are two 4-piece sets, I am not sure in which way they may differ aside form the handles:http://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Woodworking-Chisels-863010/dp/B00GPC74ZQhttp://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Premium-Chisels-Hornbeam/dp/B00H6RD4PI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I own the lower set and would buy them again in a second. Not sure about the top set. I had a stanley sh mortising chisel. It felt nice in my hand, but not twice the price nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cochese Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 There are two 4-piece sets, I am not sure in which way they may differ aside form the handles:http://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Woodworking-Chisels-863010/dp/B00GPC74ZQhttp://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Premium-Chisels-Hornbeam/dp/B00H6RD4PI Look at how the sides taper up more on the premium (lower) set. Useful for tight spaces like a dovetail, but I survive without them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Bussy Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Look at how the sides taper up more on the premium (lower) set. Useful for tight spaces like a dovetail, but I survive without them.For $10, if there is any advantage I'll take it. Just wanted to be sure it wasn't just $10 more to call it premium. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 There are two 4-piece sets, I am not sure in which way they may differ aside form the handles:http://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Woodworking-Chisels-863010/dp/B00GPC74ZQhttp://www.amazon.com/Narex-Republic-Premium-Chisels-Hornbeam/dp/B00H6RD4PI I have the larger set of number 1, my thought is this... It's hooped, The hoop is designed to maintain the shape of the handle by keeping it from splitting as you hit it with a "wooden" mallet! Over time, the little that sticks above the hoop will mushroom over and help protect your hand, and the hoop. The second set may well be made with a harder wood and not need the hoop! But if you're anything like the average wood worker, You know one thing in woodworking is a certainity. "Wood will split". I'd say the second is for light work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 (edited) Proof that one has not worked with hop hornbeam. ?You might be right Richard, but my experience thinks not. I rather think the hoop on the more basic set is due to a lesser quality handle. Mortising is the only time I whack a chisel with force and dedicated chisels to mortise with reserve the bench chisels for other tasks. Might just be me. Edited August 24, 2015 by C Shaffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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