firmer edge chisels

[neilyweely]

hello all
i need to buy some firmer style chisels for some fairly heavy use on site, they are going to get hammered, so didn't want to spend too much money.
I have noticed a set of firmer chisels in wickes but dont think they had a striking ring or plate on the top of the handle, so guess they are a no-go.
I know you will all tell me to use a mallet, but in practice this rarely happens, so i should like to be covered to use both in any event.
so without having to spend a small fortune, any ideas please.
Am on a serious budget as have spent a fortune on tools this month.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[bugbear]

hello all
i need to buy some firmer style chisels for some fairly heavy use on site, they are going to get hammered, so didn't want to spend too much money.
I have noticed a set of firmer chisels in wickes but dont think they had a striking ring or plate on the top of the handle, so guess they are a no-go.

Any "normal" modern chisel will have a handle of (very)split resistant plastic.

For site work, anything cheap will be fine; in particular "good" chisels are high carbon steel, with a low chromium content; they're magic for cabinet work in hardwoods, but not as rust resistant as the high chrome steels.

BugBear

 

[neilyweely]

bugbear
thanks for taking the time to answer my query, I have a box full of chisels, including some firmer style (firmer chisels are square edge, rather than with a bevel). However I am loathe to take my old marple or sorby chisels onto a site where even the pencils get stolen.
What i need is a set of firmer chisels up to one and a half inch wide. You are right about the handles of course, but don't you feel happier with a strike plate?
Saw some chinese chisels with multi-coloured steel blades yesterday! There was one steel for the cutting edge joined to a different (milder more flexible) steel for the rest of the blade. looked great!

 

[Gary]

Marples do a split proof handle firmer chisel, would they be the sort of ting your after?


http://www.asfp71.dsl.pipex.com/WOODWOR ... firmer.htm

 

[neilyweely]

Gary
You sir, are a gentleman!
That is exactly what I need.
I went to Mk B&Q today lookin for some but to no avail.
They aren't so easy to find now, most people don't know what they are.

Thankyou very much Gary. That will do nicely.

 

[Jake]

Wickes, somewhat bizarrely, do a basic set of 4 (I think, may be 6) plastic handled firmers. I have no idea what the quality would be.

 

[neilyweely]

Jake

Yeah mate I have seen those, made, I am told (by a wickes employee) by draper, as are all their chisels I think.
They're not bad, but again, would've liked a striking plate at the top of the handle.

Good shot though! I was wondering who might have noticed them!

 

[matthewwh]

Hi,

If you can hang on for another week the new Ashley Iles registered firmers will be available.

At around £105 for a set of 6 (1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" and 2") you'd be a bit miffed if they went missing, but considering the quality I reckon they're a cracking deal. Fully forged, hand ground, Sheffield O1 blades hardened to RC60-61 with a full sized tangs and robust ash handles that are double hooped with really thick steel ferrules.

So you can you can bash them with impunity (or a framing hammer if you prefer) all day long.

 

[neilyweely]

matthew

THATS what I'm talkin about.
You're right, they are a bit more than i'd hoped to spend, do they sell singles, not sure I need a whole set.
Mind you, that works out at under 20quid each doesn't it? Maybe thats not so bad. Have you tried them matthew?

 

[matthewwh]

Yes, I've given the prototype (the one in the picture) a good working over, mostly in oak as I'm guessing that they will appeal to timber framers, boatbuilders etc, and as far as I can see they are pretty well bombproof and the edge holding is everything you'd expect.

Yes again, they will be available individually, from about £12 for the 1/2" up to about £26.50 for the 2".

 

[neilyweely]

Matthew

Ok have thought it over (who am I kidding? I asked her if I was allowed!!!)
and I would like some.

Where can I get them? I suppose I am gonna have to send off for them as there is a serious lack of tool stores around here - unless you want a saw blade (thanks Bedford Saw Co).
Call me old fashioned but am always a bit dubious of stuff coming in the post, so many cheques have been sent to me but never arrived!!!
In any event it was nice to get the advice I was after - thanks mate.

 

[matthewwh]

pm sent.

 

[neilc]

Matthew


Where can I get them?

Would like to know the answer to this as well.
Cheers,
Neil

 

[Gary M]

Seems Mathew (Workshop Heaven) is the man !!
Although I find it strange that they are made in England but are cheaper to buy in the States ??
For example the new dovetail chisels,
$149.95 or £75.00 here

Compared to £99.00 here
Go figure ??:?
Someone care to explain please.
Cheers,
Gary.

 

[matthewwh]

Neil,

They will be available here by the end of the week.

Gary,

There has been a little movement in the exchange rate since the dovetail chisels were introduced last November, but the big difference is that we sell them with a handmade suede tool roll as standard, whilst Joel sells them in a canvas tool roll. As far as I'm aware, Joel is not planning to stock the registered firmers.

I've added an option on the dovetails to leave out the roll and just have the chisels.