Which Chisels

[sambini]

Hello,

What are some good American made chisels that you would recommend?

Thanks

[Carl Young]

I'm not so picky about where they are made, as much as what they are made of and how they are heat treated. Most will have preferences based on their experience.
-Carl

Here are some links to previous chisel discussions that might help:
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=40213.msg395399#msg395399
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=27387.msg261752#msg261752
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=42358.msg413035#msg413035

[rich pierce]

Hello,

What are some good American made chisels that you would recommend?

Thanks

Refurbished garage/ estate sale kind. Cause I’m cheap and like old things.

[Craig Wilcox]

And I add a second to Rich's post.  I have gotten some with deep gouges - finesse and care will produce a new cutting edge.  Most I put a 30 deg bevel on, slightly less if using for end grain.

[WadePatton]

Because I'm rather familiar with re-furbishing old tools, I get all the chisels and gouges I need from online auctions or in-person junk/antique stores.

Really matters not where you source chisels, but that you are able to hone and sharpen them properly (until this is accomplished you can really tell how good the steel is*). If you're not already good at working over a single-bevel edge you might check out Paul Sellers' videos on the subject.  No, you don't have to buy a bunch of diamond plates (but they do make it easy). Abrasive paper on glass works too, I think Paul discusses this too. 

* I have an American stainless knife here that simply won't sharpen fully.  The edge just crumbles when you get it close.  This is a failure in the alloy or heat-treatment of it.  This can happen in any tool, and apparently now -from- anywhere.   Sheffield steel is my favorite, and is where most of my chisels came from.

[mtlonghunter]

Some of the better american  made chisels would include, L and I j White, D.R. Barton, T H Witherby, Buck Bros., James Swan, Douglas, and even Stanley put out some called Everlasting. Most of these companies were done making things around WW1 or there abouts. Save Stanley. These old chisels are not hard to find but will most likely need a little tlc to bring them back to good  working condition.

[Martin S.]

Lie Nielsen.

Made in Warren, ME.

[Bob Roller]

Browsing thru this section on shop made tools I came across the pictures Taylor Sapergia
posted on my bench grinder alterations and it was two years ago today that they were posted.
When I was young,time staggered by on three broken legs.Now it travels in a V12 Mercedes.
That grinder idea ranks right up there with the combination paper weight and one cup cider press
but it IS a time and money saver.
Bob Roller

[45-110]

All my small chisels, specialty gouges, inletting tools etc. I make from drill rod. Fastenal has the rod in our area, forge/bend the shape you need and harden. 3/8" and above are old tools picked up at flea markets.