Official Luthiers Forum!

I just got a new chisel. Whomever posted about Marples the other day, got me to looking around. Here is one I found at Highland Hardware Atlanta. Their comment: A quality chisel regardless of the bargain price. I have to agree, and bought two. It's made in Czech Republic, called a Narvex, has a beefy hardwood handle and ferrule for hammering on the thing, but I don't plan on doing any of that. Just shop chisels for trimming brace ends. $5.99, no kidding. Here is a pic:



I needed some pumice, but since I wasn't sure about the architectural company listed on the resource page, I bought two pounds of FFFF pumice at Higland too, again $5.99 The good thing, the pumice comes in a pound cylinder with shaker or spoon it out top. I know, put it in a salt shaker.... But the container is nice for being handy. I might never use up five pounds.

I came across a set of Noogadagt chisels a couple of years ago. Asked a bunch of questions on various WW forums. The replies I got were pretty much "if I had the money, those would be the chisels I'd use". Well the set of 6 cost me $60 (man I LOVE being able to post prices). I didn't think that was an outrageous price so I bought them. Couldn't be happier. They hold an edge well and fit my hand well. What more could I ask? Paul

I use (of all things) the marples set with ergonomic handles (they have plastic with rubber grips), I also have a number of special ones like skews and one for doing braces (use it for glue scraping more than anything else).

Someday I'll upgrade a really nice set but these work, and my hands don't hurt after long sessions so I stick with them.

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

I use Kirschen and Werkzeuge Double Cherry. Nice chisels. also have some Japan Woodworkers I like. Back ordered a set of the Marples that BOB C found on sale.
Hey Bruce...two pounds of Pumice!!! You have a life time supply!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I started out (eight months ago) with a cheapie set from Harbor Freight. Not so hot, so I ponied up for three Crown chisels - 1/8", 1/4" & 3/4", and a 3/4" Robert Sorby long paring chisel. Man, decent handtools do make a difference!

Skip

Another Crown chisel user here. Rosewood handles and very ergonomic and they hold an edge well. I also have some early 1900 chisels that are superb but I have no clue who made them.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I've got some old Berg chisels that I wouldn't take anything for. They remain stored for special occasions. The workaday tools are the Two Cherries, though. Got 'em back when they sported the octagonal hornbeam handles made by Ulmia.

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I have the full set of Marples that I've been very happy with. I also have a full set the the Robert Sorbey paring chisels. I use the Sorbeys mostly for shaving braces. I think the Marples actually hold an edge better than the Sorbeys but am more tham happy with both.

I dunno what all I've got, but there are some Japanese chisels in my drawer with laminated blades, hard steel edge laminated to a mild steel core, that hold an edge better than of any I've tried or owned. I have had them so long that the label has rubbed off of one and nearly off the others but it does not matter since its all written in Japanese. But, when I upgrade my chisel selection I am getting a full set of these Japanese laminated steel types.

I have been using a set of the LMI chisels for about 15 years. They are
expensive but worth every penny. They are light and very delicate and
designed for guitar work. Nothing else even comes close. One of the best
tool investments I ever made!

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Sylvan
http://www.wellsguitars.com

Don't buy the 55 dollar (us) "glue clearing" chisel LMI sells. I just got the new Lee Valley Catalog and they have them in 2 sizes for 25 (canadian)

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

Huh. I've been eyed Kirschen chisels to replaces the cheapies I've got (work well, sharpen up quickly, but dull quite quickly as well), since they're fairly cheap here, but Nooitgedagt is local stuff, Dutch brand I believe. All the smaller hardware stores carry the stuff. I've got one of their gouges, but none of their chisels.

I just bought a couple of Hirsch cranked chisels from Lee Valley

I have recently picked up a bunch of the Two Cherries chisels (and scrapers), and they are excellent.

Like Mattia, I also have a couple of Nooitgedagt chisels from Holland. They are the most widely available brand here, and the quality is good.

Hi John, I too bought the Hirsh Cranked chisel from Lee Valley. Compared to LMI's what a steal.... I've yet to put it through it's paces though. Tools that work well are very satisfying.

I use the 4 chisel set from Marples. If any of you have a COSTCO near you, they have the 6 chisel set for about 30 bucks.

I'm with Sylvan, LMI chisels work great. Hold the edge better then most I've seen. (Expensive though).I believe I saw the Narvex chisels in the newest supplementary Lee Valley catalogue. Approximately 56.00 US(69.50Can)for set of eight, 1/4"to1-1/2".There is a set of four for approximately 27.00 US(31.50Can.). Bruce I was thinking of buying the crank chisel as well. You say it works great?? Let me know I will put it on my shopping list.Thanks.

Ron the Hirsh Cranked or Crooked Blade I got from Lee Valley was nice. I've yet to put it to a set of braces.
I bought it up against LMI's cranked chisel for $50. Similar is all, clearance is the deal.

I also mispelled Narex, those I got as spares from Highland Hardware Atlanta with some FFFF pumice in one pound containers, and to check the quality. The edges are sharp cornered so I'll round over the top two edges at least, but bang for buck, they are great for six bucks.

I don't seem to use skinny chisels, I like the 3/4 inch so I can stay on the little brace with no difficulty.

I use the Japanese Wood Bench Chisels from Woodcraft. At $30 each, they are not cheap, but I have only sharpened them once since building 2 guitars!

I checked the Lee Valley catalogue supplement and they have the full set of NAREX (there I spelt it right). They are $7+ (Can.) ea. or as I mentioned prior. Gotta stay out of that book I keep thinking I need more tols every time I look in it. Then to top it off I received a Steew-mac catalogue this week as well. So many nice tools and accessories and not enough money!

My great grandfather was a master cabinet maker in the 19th century, and I'm lucky enough to have half a dozen of his old chisels. They take a great edge which lasts and lasts.   Good carbon steel made in Sheffield. But I think the best tip I can give is don't lever the lid off paint cans with them.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

A Robert Sorby 1" paring chisel is my primary chisel. On occasion I reach for my 1/4" Marples blue-handled chisel for glue clean-up. One of these days when I'm wealthy, <cough> I intend to buy a really good set of Japanese chisels.

Check 'em out...: Japanese Paring ChiselsDon W38372.6811921296

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."