Ones for wood. I’ve got bolster and SDS chisels for not wood stuff.

I’ve got some floating shelf brackets that need a recess carving out of the timber I am using which means I have the great joy of purchasing MOAR TOOLS!

Am I best off getting a set of cheapy ones from Screwfix or spending a wee bit more on something decent. I’ll not be using them constantly and for the job in hand the finish will be hidden.

I’ve had a look about and seen some Japanese ones that were £300 a set but I’m thinking about 10% of that.

A good all round set of sizes would be
these, hit your 10% plus an extra Homebase discount at the moment. Also in stock at ScrewFix.

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/stanley-fatmax-chisel-set—3-piece-315592

Maybe a single will do your job OK though, do you need a set or just one size?

Disclosure, I work for Stanely, the chisels are made in the UK, good steel, sharpened and honed and ready to go. Strong enough for chopping out and the blade won’t snap at the neck. Ball bearing steel for the blade, mild steel for the bolster – tough where you need it, bendy where you need that!

A cheap set will need sharpening and will be less durable but will get the job done.

I’ll now watch this thread with interest 🙂

I could use one but it’s always better to have more tools than you actually need.

They’re a bargain!

Forget the ‘folded a zillion times’ Japanese steel chisels unless you’re a professional cabinet maker, boatbuilder or just have lots of disposable income to spunk away 😀

No doubt, they are lovely to use, nicely balanced and keep an edge, but you’ll find the Stanley ranges as good as anything for what you’re intending.

FWIW, I’ve been using the same set of bevel edge Stanley chisels day in day out for the last 15 years and whilst they are now a tad shorter than when I first bought them, they are absolutely fine. For my heavier oak framing work, butt mortice chisels from Henry Taylor are sweet too 😉

EDIT: The trick is keeping any cutting tool sharp, always 8)

More tools! Absolutely!

Another vote for Stanley from me, plus a sharpening gadget and a double-sided oilstone that you keep for chisels and the like.

Most of the chisels that I use I’ve got from carboots,
It’s easy to pick up quality marbles, sorby etc.. For cheap.
Some will need a decent sharpening but better steel quality and they keep there edge for longer.

Just a shame our local Homebase closed about 6 months ago which means I’ll have to go to deepest darkest Washington.

I bought a basic Stanley set years ago and they’ve done me fine. They all have notches in the blades from where I’ve hit hidden nails etc, but still work fine. Used them only last WE cutting out rebates for a lock….

Whatever set you get learn how to sharpen them. If you look on line there are loads of very long winded techniques using expensive Japanese water stones. I find with a hollow grind and any oil or wet stone I can get a edge that will shave hair which is good enough for me and doese. Of take too long. KISS, but also keep it sharp!

Aldi

Seriously they are good, I’ve got 2 sets and used them for a number of projects this year. Unlike most aldi or lidl stuff these are actually a good buy.

Also got several sorby and other miscellaneous old but fancy chisels, either inherited or acquired from Gumtree and car boots. Tbh the aldi ones are just as good and I use them more as I’m less precious about them.

Chisels from Aldi Return 23rd January -UK Only

Cheers Pete. I did have a butchers round Lidl when I was in for some milk today but nothing going chisels wise.

I have got a big box of woodwork tools that belonged to Mrs Matt’s grandpa but it’s buried in the spare room. There’s all sorts of stuff in there but finding it is a mission in itself. There’s also the fact that none of it has been touched for getting on for at least 15 years so it needs a bit of TLC.

Marples blue chip chisels are the best I’ve ever used. Tried plenty over the years but these seem to be perfectly made for my hands and they stay sharp for ages too

I’m trying very hard not to call Jake @Niwaki and ordering a set of these beauts! -http://www.niwaki.com/store/matsumura-chisels/

Those old chisels may be good but will need work

Flippin eck! £570!!!

I thought these were expensive at just shy of £300 on Workshop Heaven

Unless you’re only working fresh wood, there’s no point in buying expensive chisels as you’re going to chisel into a nail at some point or other doing carpentry style stuff……

Having said that, that set above is beautiful, bit overkill for knocking out hinge rebates though….

I’ve never really got the Japanese chisels. Beautiful, but seemingly wouldn’t be comfortable in the hand.

I’ve always used my Marples blue chisels and have never been precious about having expensive tools.

Above all, keep them sharp. Blunt chisels are more dangerous in use, not to mention a real chore.

That Niwaki site is pure tool porn! Those chisels do indeed look lovely and similar pricing to my framing chisels I suppose.

I would highly recommend the pull saws, fantastic feel and very accurate, leaving a great finish too.

Bought my oire nomis years ago. Cost about 450 for a set (12), but ironically I only really use one of them day to day.

Edge stays sharper for longer, but the steel is more brittle and you have to be careful how you handle them. They also take longer to sharpen due to the harder steel.

However for hobby or occasional use a set of Marples are more than adequate.

http://m.www.my-tool-shed.co.uk/p1093640/Hultafors_Scandinavian_Butt_Chisel_Set_of_5/product_info.html?utm_source=googleversafeed&vfsku=1093640&gpla=pla&gclid=CL2i1caVusgCFYU_GwodYM0J1Q

I’ve got a set of these. Seem pretty good. Come with hard plastic sleeves for each chisel.

kayak23 – Member
I’ve never really got the Japanese chisels. Beautiful, but seemingly wouldn’t be comfortable in the hand.

I decided to eat my words and treat myself to some after selling some work recently…

They are these ones from Workshop Heaven.
They are really comfortable in the hand. Really nice and long so you can lock them into your body when paring.

So far, I’ve not been overly impressed with how the edge is holding up but am led to believe that it takes a few honings before you get down into the ‘good steel’, so we’ll see.

Lovely set though and nice and wide on the biggest one.

Would love an excuse to use those – very nice. Nothing quite like using a really good hand tool.

I’d soon make short work of them bashing out the bottoms of door frames and architraves. 🙂

Marples chisel sets are often on special offer during the festive season…

For those on more modest budgets – but with an eye for a bargain Lidl
will be offering their Chisel set on the 12th – they do get sold quickly
as they have a certain reputation backed by proper chiselists .

see Paul Sellers https://paulsellers.com/2014/11/lidl-sells-the-aldi-chisels-now-too/

I have a set of old footprint red handles for day to day work, my chisel roll has two of each size, so a nail disaster, doesn’t stop me working.
I also have a set of Lie-Nielsen which are lovely but only for when I need to feel the love, and I also have a set of Stanley sweethearts which I bought on special from a tool shop, impulse buy, and they are actually really nice to use.
But the footprints get used the most, for everything, they earn money for me.
Learn to use a waterstone to sharpen, or get a bit of thick glass and some wet and dry. Don’t bother with diamond plates what a waste of money.

Whatever chisels you get, learn how to sharpen them. Maybe even get a cheap set to practice sharpening with. A bench grinder is handy and can speed things up, but can also wreck things, so best to go easy. There’s a lot of debate about water stones, oil stones, diamond stones, and some thick glass and various grades of decent sandpaper (you’ll need the right sort of paper though; google scary sharp for more info). I like a Japanese waterstone but you have to make sure it’s perfectly flat otherwise you’ll end up with a curved edge on your blade. You can true it up with that same piece of thick glass and sandpaper easily enough though. Some people might like using a roller guide to assist sharpening, but don’t use one of these with a stone, as you’ll just ruin the stone. With practice, you’ll be able to sharpen up any blade by hand, to a more than acceptable level.

I’ve actually been using some cheap Silverline chisels to reasonable effect, but the stuff I do hasn’t needed really good chisels really. Thinking of upgrading to a better quality set for more complex future projects though. I’m told Ashley Isles are good value, but have no experience of them really. The Veritas ones look really nice, but are very expensive. Mind you, a friend is thinking about a set of Lee Neilson chisels; they are definitely not cheap!

Learn to use a waterstone to sharpen, or get a bit of thick glass and some wet and dry.

There’s always someone who gets in just before you do! 😆

Don’t bother with diamond plates what a waste of money.

Interestingly, more or less exactly what my friend said too.

Lidl will be offering their Chisel set on the 12th – they do get sold quickly
as they have a certain reputation backed by proper chiselists .

Top tip! Thanks! I’ve heard some really good things about these; German, good quality steel, but for a silly low price. I’ll be camping outside my local Lidls on the morning of the 12th, I think!

My joinery is pretty ropey, but I needed to do a big greenhouse repair and thought I could for the first time ever justify a set of nice Marples chisels. I got this set on eBay which have improved my joinery no end.

I thought they were really good value. They should last a lifetime if I can keep them hidden from my brother who thinks chisels are for opening tins of paint.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IRWIN-MARPLES-8-Piece-Split-Proof-M373-Honed-Hand-Wood-Chisel-Set-Case-6-50mm-/390668048715?hash=item5af5a1594b:g:eAoAAOSw-jhT~HgV

Just got a set of the lidl chisels – £6.99! Thanks for the PSA.

How the hell did you get them so early? 👿

He probably got them in Ireland – they run pretty much the same offers 2 weeks before the UK. And they are really that very nice price.

Paul Sellers has some nice prep / sharpening videos on his blog site – no nonsense stuff and yes its those Aldi/Lidl chisels

Yep live in Northern Ireland. Can try for another set if anybody wants them posting over.

Irwin/marples job done. Had some stanley ones and seemed to dull quite easily. The irwin ones were on offer at a local merch for £40 plus vat for 5 in a nice case. So sharp i dont even need my hammer i can just ease them in and i use a trend corner chisle punch (best purchase ive made)

sv if you could, I’d be very grateful. I’ll buy a set off you regardless, if you can get any more. Will be a nice xmas gift for someone, at the very least.

Realising you can’t really compete with the Aldi/Lidl chisels for the money but I got a set of Bahco 434’s which have a decent rep, certainly better than some of the other big names when I was looking around.

That sharpening video was something though, cheers for putting that up.

bartyp – Member
sv if you could, I’d be very grateful. I’ll buy a set off you regardless, if you can get any more. Will be a nice xmas gift for someone, at the very least.

Can you email me (address in profile) as I have got a set for you.

Also have a spare set if there are any other takers.

You little beauty! 😀

Had some stanley ones and seemed to dull quite easily.

Can you remember which ones you had?

Thanks to SV, I’ve now got my set! Which is great as I’ve been busy and the two shops closest to me didn’t stock them.

The metal does look better quality than the Silverline ones I currently have. They will need a proper tune-up and sharpen though, as per the Paul Sellers video. Will report back in time!