Mortise chisels

[LewisB]

Hello,

Can anyone recommend a good set of mortise chisels? I’m currently looking at the narex richter set but wondered if the higher price was worth paying? Or maybe stick to a less expensive, yet just as good, set?

 

[deema]

Buy secondhand and only the widths you need.

 

[Orraloon]

The regular narex are quite OK. I have chopped out blue gum eucalyptus with them and no problems when I made my bench.



That stuff is way harder than UK timbers so they will handle anything you want. Others are pointing out that you only need a few common used sizes and its true there are a couple in the set I have not used in anger but when I got them about 12 years ago the price was quite modest so I said what the h#ll.
Regards
John

 

[undergroundhunter]

Narex are good, the ones I've got needed grinding back a mm or two as the steel was too hard but once that's done they're great. For furniture I personally prefer vintage sash mortice chisels of which I've got pretty much a full set. They just feel better on the hand to me.

Matt

 

[Jacob]

Buy secondhand and only the widths you need.

Yes. 1/2", 3/8", 1/4" most used.

 

[XTiffy]

I agree with Deema buy secondhand and different handles are a blessing, so much easier to pick up the one you need. No two of mine from 1/16" up to 1/2" are matching. I also have a deep all steel one for serious work!

 

[MikeB1972]

You probably only need one, I'd get a 1/2 or 3/4 and see if you need any more after chopping a couple of hundred mortises.

Saying that, I rarely use one and stick to registered chisels. You need to be chopping a hell of a lot of mortices for it to be worth your while getting one, let alone a set.

 

[Trevor Molyneux]

I have a complete set of the Narex mortise chisels in the dark finish. I have hardly used them and some are unused. If you are interested in buying them, PM me.