Sharper chisels?

morrisminordriver · 14 Jun 2004

My chisels (a no name brand) were sharpened by my father in law on his Tormek recently and I used them this evening to cut a couple of mortices. They seemed to struggle after half a dozen strikes with the mallet and nneded rehoning on the oilstone. Im not sure how well I did this but I raised a wire edge on them.
Would a set of Ray Iles (*)chisels keep their edge longer?.
Im pretty idisappointed with haaving to resharpen so quickly and thought I might be able to wangle the first of a Ray Iles set for Fathers Day...

Anyone got any thoughts on this?

(*) I saw these fared well on the F+C review a few months ago and I thought they looked really nice too.

Chris Knight · 15 Jun 2004

I don't know about the Ray Iles chisels and I am no fan of no-name chisels but the latter may perform better with a different bevel angle. If chopping mortices, a primary grind of 30 or 35 degrees is probably better than the more common 25 degrees that is so often mentioned in connection with edge tools, especially as you get a hollow grind with the Tormek that leaves the edge less well supported than a plane bevel.

devonwoody · 15 Jun 2004

As mentioned a couple of days ago, I put the backside of my chisels to a diamond plate for about 20 minutes, TRY THAT.
and report your views.

Anonymous · 15 Jun 2004

Morris

If you want chisels that will retain their edge whilst striking with a mallet, then I recommend Japanese chisels. Mine seem to keep their edge forever - even when using them on oak with a mallet!!

Don't know about Ray's chisels though

Cheers

Tony

Alf · 15 Jun 2004

Mike,

Chris took the words right off my keyboard - again. At the very least it's probably worth trying a steeper secondary bevel first.

I'm not familiar with Ray Iles' chisles either; personally I'm not a fan of London pattern octagonal handles anyway, so I'd sort of dismissed them. The Ashley Iles chisels have had rave reviews in the 'States and might be worth consideration. Classic Handtools has them. It might also be worth considering a genuine mortise chisel as well, and start off your coll- selection of specialist chisels. :wink:

Cheers, Alf