Red Handled "Footprint" wood chisels

[Bod]

I'm making a toolbox for Daughter/Son in Law, filling with tools, suitable for DIY! use.
I have a spare amount of the red handled Footprint firmer chisels, which I intend to supply.
Now what is the collective wisdom, should I supply a wooden mallet, or just a claw hammer for use with these chisels?
I got them 2nd hand, from car boots, none show any handle damage, all the information I can find shows they were good in the day, but no indication as to how "hammer" proof they are.

Bod

 

[bugbear]

I think for DIY purposes, they're OK to hit with a claw hammer.
Since an DIY tool kit needs a claw hammer, but doesn't need a mallet,
this saves needing an extra tool.

BugBear

 

[Bod]

I think for DIY purposes, they're OK to hit with a claw hammer.
Since an DIY tool kit needs a claw hammer, but doesn't need a mallet,
this saves needing an extra tool.

BugBear

That's my thinking.
I'm putting an old large screwdriver in, with the instruction that this is the paint tin opener, not anything else!

Bod

 

[Mr_P]

Matching first aid box ? Kenny Everett flashbacks.

 

[bugbear]

I think for DIY purposes, they're OK to hit with a claw hammer.
Since an DIY tool kit needs a claw hammer, but doesn't need a mallet,
this saves needing an extra tool.

BugBear

That's my thinking.
I'm putting an old large screwdriver in, with the instruction that this is the paint tin opener, not anything else!

Bod

In my workshop too there is that sort of large screwdriver, that is useless for driving screws,
but good for much else, including saving better screwdrivers from abuse.

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

Footprint are good chisels.
Use a hammer if you must (they are only chisels) but a mallet is much easier - mainly because the size of the mallet means you can safely hit the handle end whilst you are watching the cutting end carefully, with less risk of missing and hitting your hand. That's the whole reason for a mallet, plus less damage to your tool - but you can get soft face hammers.
A flat face mallet is also good for knocking workpieces about with less damage, so it is an essential tool.

 

[Bod]

Matching first aid box ? Kenny Everett flashbacks.

Daughter is St John trained.
Son in Law is not.
I think I may paint the box red, at least inside, hide the drips.....

Bod

 

[graduate_owner]

I have a lathe, and I make logs into round carving type mallets which are great for use with wood chisels. I use any hardwood, and make them in one piece - no separate head and handle arrangement. They don't stand up to huge punishment since they are not made from seriously hard wood, just whatever I have to hand, but they are so easy to make that they are easily replaceable (although my first ever one is still in use, even though there are flakes of wood breaking off it). They are much better than using a hammer - less chance of damaging hands or chisels

K

 

[johnnyb]

I always hit plastic handles with hammers. Those footprints are a great chisel. Made down the back streets of Sheffield City centre.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I want to cry “heathen” at the thought of using a hammer give him a mallet

 

[Chubber]

Give him a drawing and a suggestion of how to make a mallet...?

 

[Cozzer]

That's a coincidence.
I was talking only yesterday about my days working at a travel agency in Sheffield, and the name Mr.John Jewitt - then owner of Footprint - came into the conversation. As johnnyb above stated, quality tools manufactured in the heart of the city.
He was my favourite client in those days - unassuming, genteel and very polite.
A lovely man. Long gone, I suppose, thinking of my age now and his age then...

 

[johnnyb]

I used to go past there when I was 20 -21 and could hear the hammers. I was used to engineering noise and dirt, but even I thought it old school.
I'd have thought a pair of "real" footprints more useful for DIY. They were/are famous for making a type of adjustable wrench always called footprints.

 

[niall Y]

I still have a few footprint tools - mostly augers. In their day their tools were not rated highly. Their augers are certainly not as well finished as the Ridgeway ones. But, compared to what is around now they are easily superior. I seem to remember that they were one of the makes sold at Woolworths ( along with Leyland paint )

 

[Chubber]

I have 6" pair of original Footprints, the inner handle end nicely ground to fit the slot of a No. 8 screw. They have had little use, but on each 'outing' they served their purpose exactly. They still have the proper little knurl-headed screw.

 

[joshvegas]

More pertinent question though. What sharpening workflow are you going to be providing.

Unless they also have a workbench and any desire to do actual chisel stuff... I would probably just leave chisels out with the exception of old faithful the trim lifter and paint opener. Because that is what they will become. There is no need for chisels for normal diy these days.

A small thor mallet is probably more useful than a claw hammer even. Knocking ikea stuff together. Other than picture hooks who even nails anything these days?

 

[bushwhaker]

Did someone mention sharpening?

 

[AJBaker]

What are they going to do with the tools? If it's just normal DIY, a single 1/2" or 3/4" chisel and a hammer are enough.
If it's for proper woodworking, a mallet is more pleasant to use than a hammer.
On the other hand, if they already do proper woodworking, they likely already have a mallet.

 

[carpenteire2009]

I have built uo a collection of more chisels than I could possibly ever use in my lifetime and there are a few Footprints in amongst them. I think they are a fine chisel and I've always like the handle shape. I think it's sacrilege to use a hammer to strike plastic or wooden handled tools, I've plenty of secondhand tools that suffered such abuse. I know it's different for professional trades who will reach for whatever is within reach to crack on and get the job done, but as a keen hobbyist I can take my time and I like to look after my tools. For me, my go to mallet is a Thor with the white heads, perfect for striking tools and assembly work.

 

[--Tom--]

A soft faced thorex hammer is a very handy tool for a toolbox. Good for hitting things you don’t want to damage the surface of. Also great for chisels.