Official Luthiers Forum!

I just bought a few Sorby bench chisels. They are of the "Octagonal Boxwood Handle" style. These are some very classy chisels! They feel wonderful. I really like the grip I get with the octagon design and they also wont be rolling around on the bench if I put them down.

Here's the thing... There's a brass hoop at the top of the handle and it seems like they like to come loose. I've read that the hoop helps in making sure the handle doesn't "mushroom". What should I do? Chuck the hoops? Put a dab of epoxy inside so they don't move? I wonder how much work those hoops are actually doing. Anyone else experience this?

Todd is right on!! You will need to hammer the boxwood so that it mushrooms over the top of the ferrals. A common 'set-up' required for hooped chisels. You can do it the course of your chisel use or just do it now and be done with it! I chose the latter.

Shane

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Canada