How to Re-handle a Chisel - Hand Tool Woodworking

This episode originally aired on June 24, 2011.
OK. So maybe I like old tools. I have plenty of perfectly good chisels. But there's something about old straight sided firmer chisels that just feels right to me. I don't know if it's their lower center of gravity (compared to socket chisels and my Ashley Iles London pattern chisels), their lighter feel (again compared to socket chisels and my Ashley Iles London pattern chisels), their looks, or a combination of all three. Something about these old chisels just appeals to me though.
So several months ago, I spent a couple of months putting together a set of 12 good users from Ebay. None of these chisels cost me more than $10 (including the shipping), and all have very good steel. Many of their handles, however, leave something to be desired. So I decided to re-handle them all. These are tang style chisels with a forged, tapered tang. You might think rehandling them is a simple matter of boring a plumb hole in a turned handle and jaming the chisel in the hole. But every tang has a different taper, and most of these tangs are not perfectly in line with the rest of the tool due to the nature of the hand forging process. So there are a couple of tricks to getting everything just so.
The style of handle I'm making for my set are the same style described in "The Joiner and Cabinet Maker". They are a tapered octagon shape, but the octagon is not regular (equal on all 8 sides). Each handle is 1/4″ wider than it is thick, and the corner "faces" are not planed as wide as the front and side faces. The handles also graduate in size from the biggest chisel (2″) to the smallest (1/16″). After using this style of handle for awhile on several other old chisels I have, I've really grown to like it a lot. The shape keeps the chisels from rolling, they are comfortable in the hand, and the balance of the tool is nothing short of perfect. Of course you can use the tricks I'll show you in the video for turned handles as well. But if you don't have a lathe, or you just want to try something different, I think if you try this style, you just might grow to like it more than turned handles too.

[@vincentfaure4472]

I've just came to see this video and I realized that I found a gold nugget! Thank you so much sir. For sure I'll dig in your channel !

[@vincentfaure4472]

I didn't just find a nugget, I found a vein! Thank you very much!

[@TedStJohn-vz9jr]

This video was a great find for me- a blacksmith friend recently made me a couple of scorps and a gouge, and all need handles. This really helps to solidify the plan for putting handles on those lovely tools!

[@fritzer5151]

Great video especially for those who don't own a lathe and want to replace chisel handles

[@philipchandler330]

Plant always wanted to learn how to do it. I have some old chisels big and small without handles looking forward to making them new handles.

[@annshaw6426]

Super video as usual- I learn a lot from your vids. Your style is easy to listen to with no time wasting. Many thanks.

[@BRFineWoodworking]

Thank you!

[@th34lch3m1st]

I really appreciate your video contents and the way you expose it. I hope you can soon find the time to share your knowledges. (...if I could make a wish...even just 5 minute video a week with short tips, or historical facts/tools/tecniques on woodworking would be awesome)

[@BRFineWoodworking]

th34lch3m1st Thank you! Not sure I can commit to weekly just yet. But I’m working on some new videos. Stay tuned.

[@androidgameplays4every13]

This is one of my favorite woodworking channels, not sure why it doesn't get more views, probably because of the quality of the footage (a little low quality by today's standard), that's the only explanation I can find, the content is pure gold and Bob explains everything so well.

[@steersman-zv2ng]

Nice, gonna try make my own .

[@taytumkrisartistry7141]

I had a set made and I’m very unhappy with the handles. Do you do jobs for people?

[@beepIL]

7:16 Ill ask my wife Great video! going to try it

[@arfuwanmani6717]

😊😊

[@joferzly]

god, but u should reduce the time of ur movie :)

[@daw162]

If you're looking for whiz bang 5 minute videos with 6 hours of editing work, Bob's not your guy. If you're looking for someone to show you how to do something and talk about what they're doing and why. Bob's your guy.

[@thecraftsman8133]

Today people want "instant, NOW!, Yesterday, immediately, QUICK!, LOL.....Slow down joseph, you get to enjoy a good video Brother.

[@chrisherald2338]

I could listen to Bob discuss tools and building all day. Great and an enjoyable vibe.