Advice for chisels 2nd fix joinery

[fobos8]

Hello there

I'm thinking about buying some new chisels and need some advice from you experts please.

At the moment i'm working on mainly refurb jobs. I have a set a Bahco chisels but I find that they lose their sharp edge too quickly. I'm thinking about just using them for "rough" site work and getting an extra 2 chisels (18 + 25mm) which would just be used for chopping out door furniture recesses. These chisels would be reserved for this work and I want them to always be sharp. I'm been thinking about getting a couple of the Lie Neilson bevel edged ones as they are supposed to keep their edge for ages.

I've got a couple of questions about them though. Does anyone have experience of hitting them with a claw hammer? will they take it? Do you ever get your fingers cut if you hold the side of the blade with your hands?

Thanks in advance, Andrew

 

[joiner_sim]

You should always use a mallet with chisels.

:arrow: I should listen to my own advice sometime.

 

[fobos8]

I know you SHOULD use a mallet with chisels but no site carpenter does - they're too bulky

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Consider buying a cheap set of Japanese bench chisels. The steel will take a lot of punishment and they are designed to be hit with a steel hammer.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[fobos8]

Hi Derek

Thanks for the advice about the Japanese chisels. I hadn't thought about that.
Do the stay sharp for a long time? The only reason I was considering the LN chisels is that they are R 60 hardened. I have a Veritas block plane which has R 60 steel it it stays sharp for AGES..

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

In my experience, even a cheapish Japanese laminated steel chisel will outlast an A2 (e.g. LN) blade. I use Japanese chisels on Aussie hardwoods all the time. Gave away/sol all the vintage chisels as they just could not hold up. I do have Blue Spruce (A2), but these are not used with a hammer.

Regards from Perth

Derek