Tool Talk #2 How To Find A Good Japanese Chisel

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Japanese woodworking chisels are great but knowing what to look for when buying one can be confusing. Here is my take on buying used chisels on ebay.
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[@SuperBowser87]

I think I got my chisels at a good price. I bought a set at a yard sale last month that had 8 vintage carving chisels marked Made in West Germany then there were 11 vintage Pheil chisels in the bundle. THEY ALL HAD THE FACTORY EDGE! I paid 15 dollars for everything. Yep 15 bucks. Funny thing is I do not use carvers anymore due to arthritis. No I did not cash in on them by reselling them I gave them the a very young very underfunded Woodworker trying to get his business up and running. I told him if his business did not work out he could just give them back to me. I trust him. I'm sure I could have made a killing but rather than cash in I decided to help somebody that needed it.

[@KevinStadmeyer]

Good for you Tom, I hope others can follow your lead in handing it down to the next generation.

[@robertsmith212]

!s

[@maximedwards3451]

thanks

[@leviblackwood3258]

Tom Wilcox you should tell him to sell them so he has a bit of cash and then go out to some pole barns, you can find chisels in no time for pretty cheap

[@thearcherflorida5776]

Good on you. I had a guy give me a bunch of free lumber when I started. From that I made my first higher Dollar project. It boosted my sales enough to let me do this full time. It's people like you that change lives.

[@sirensc3566]

Just got my first 3 timber framing Matsumura chisels! I am totally excited to have them! Thanks for all the info you provide bro! Keep it up!

[@Trevessa24]

I love your Tim Taylor , tongue in cheek , presentation ... And of course you spending all the money and time on testing , saving me a fortune... !

[@ScottBrownCarpentry]

I appreciate the video man! currently chisel shopping and Japanese tools seem to be where it's at

[@Madmoody21]

Look at Narex for reasonable prices. I do not like Japanese chisels for use for a few reasons. Cost is a factor how many artisans are still making top quality ones? I myself do not have a local Japanese blacksmith capable of actually providing long term reworking of these tools they require to maximize their life span. Thes hand made tools were and are amazing and efficient to produce by hand. The hollowed back is not there for feel or better than flat in any way beside reduction of hand work time during production and initial flattening of back edge. Today we have machines can do the flat grinding for us so we do not need hollowed back so save time. I see it like this If I buy Japanese chisels or plane blades from some master smith there use them till they need a master smith again... anyways I will leave those tools where they belong somewhere in Japan where they will more likely be properly serviced.

[@sirmixalot3332]

What up Scott? Cool seeing another craftsman interacting on here. I enjoy your content as well as Samurai!

[@WingnutEOD]

I appreciate these fairly in-depth exposes on various tool types. I'm finding them highly informative.

[@gunterschone8402]

Beautiful video, Samurai. I Western chisels (standard) and have bought a 10-part Japnischen chisel set. Both has been revised for your use. I am very pleased with the Japanese, the sharpness will last longer than the Western chisels. If you with moderation and the Japanese used for your applications, to have fun with them longer.

[@beartenon888]

I've gone through all those stages of "cheap," and then "cheap Japanese" and finally good Japanese. There is no going back. They are worth every penny you spend on them. Your explanation was easy to digest. Thanks.

[@davorborovnica8555]

Nice Stiletto just saw it on the tool bench. Didn't know you had one. Props. Best persuader EVER.

[@smolboyi]

this guy is my new favorite. thanks sword guy for these sweet videos

[@hamaljay]

One thing to look for in used chisels from Japan is the soft iron part. The old ones have inclusions or small imperfections because basically it is wrought iron. And is ends up being better quality. Modern Japanese iron is more of a cast then forge welded. Also most modern Japanese chisels are production quality some are still individually hand made. Also some of the short chisels you may see aren't ground that way over time they are made that way used for light pairing. Of course some are just used to the nub. You can tell by the hollow ground. Also most newer chisels aren't made with tamahagane ( old Japanese carbon enriched steel) they only officially make 2 tons a year and most of that goes into producing nihon to (swords as art objects) and high quality kitchen knives. You can still get new chisels and plane blades made in the traditional way but they usually end up being more expensive than used ones. The best place to get good Japanese steel is at Japanese flea markets. Samurai if you ever need a guy in Japan to help you find good tools let me know. I'm always tool hunting in Japan.

[@stevewillsey9754]

Thanks for the education and the humor. Take care.

[@caseyobrien7068]

great video with lots of info. These are probably my favorite types of videos of yours I like, along with the demonstrative videos restoring the tools and sharpening as well. I wish I lived closer I would love to apprentice and help with video

[@bonniebarber6114]

This is the video needed Samurai. Learned a great deal, thank you.

I've been using the polymer handled Record/Marples bevel edged 15 piece since 1989. The yellow/Red handles. Never let me down in 26 years on the bench.

[@salimufari]

I attended a timber framing school in Ashland OR. & the focus was on Japanese tools & technique. The one issue we ran into often when cutting mortises & end grain was chipping in the micro bevel. Doug Fir can be hard on the Japanese blade edge. My Barr slick was unphased but then pairing is more of a cross or with the grain cut so take that for what you will.

[@flashwashington2735]

Veritas with PV-11 can attain better sharpness and longer wearing edges than Japanese steels. If you have a job to do, want to get er done, either will do. Youi can sharpen more frequently, Japanese steels don't need the religiously worshipping initial prep. Prep like western chisels. If you have the love or need, hire a blacksmith, knifemaker Japanese or American framing chisels or slicks watch them make it. Otherwise, It is a tool to do a job. You had an experience of value, sir.

[@Stretch1931]

I'm at work right now, and just laughing at your comments. Very entertaining stuff! Love the education. And yes, Japanese craftmanship seems to be on another level compared to American craftmanship. It's like we're all trying to rush things, and forget about the quality and beauty of the product, and potential heirloom value some of the items might have. It might be our (the consumers') fault as well, since we're always trying to get things for the lowest price, rather than accept the level of work that goes into making it, and willing to pay handsomely for such beautiful artistry.

[@byerh]

Many Thanks Samurai Carpenter - Enjoying all your videos!

[@ChicoMillion]

I was surprised you said to stay away from big lot sales of chisels on eBay--with other tools (such as hand planes) I've found good value in buying lots vs. individual items. But you're right that if you're trying to get a really well looked after tool and don't mind paying a premium price, individual listings is definitely the way to go because it saves all your time spent rehabilitating tools that are in rough shape.

[@jefferybarton8242]

When you bid on a group of tools, you don't know what you're bidding on. Remember this, good tools aren't cheap. If you can't afford a good tool, then you have to compromise.

[@flashwashington2735]

Unless you are refurbing and selling.

[@TheGuyThatGamez]

Hey Jessie, is there any chance that you would be able to do an in depth video of sharpening, the types of sharpening stones, their good and bad points and different methods. I understand that you have done sharpening videos in the past but to be able to have a more detailed video to show how you sharpen and the quickest ways to do it. As an apprentice from the UK it would be great to have a very detailed video to refer to! Thank you and keep up the great videos!

[@TheGuyThatGamez]

Yeah I've seen it, I'd love to be able to see a nice in depth video if possible, he clearly knows what he's doing so it would be great to get to know some more of that knowledge of his!

[@calvinwillis548]

watch Paul Sellers he does a good sharpening video

[@TheGuyThatGamez]

Ahh thanks! I'll have a look!

[@timhyatt9185]

there are several different youtubers who have done sharpening vids.....Wranglerstar does a nice one for Axes, others have mentioned Paul Sellers; broaden your search to "chisel sharpening" and you'll find dozens of them.

[@rossmerchant1832]

second that, I would like to see sharpening techniques.

[@yoho1021]

I was looking on eBay for chisels and had no idea what to look for - thankyou!

[@MrTicki]

Hi man just wanted to say this vid is very insightful as I'm setting up my own shop and glad I watched the Alec steele episode where he made that chisel for you thanks for the great content keep it up please

[@alexwolf9778]

Great video man!! I have been watching for a while and I feel lately that you have been really busy (bunch of kids, work, house, videos... Why would you be busy 😜) but it's nice that you still put out great videos! Thanks keep it up!

[@ronlabass8173]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, quite generous of you.

[@HovingtonInstruments]

Great information, I was wondering if you would know of any decent Japanese chisel maker right now? I'm looking into getting a set but after my research there is a lot of people saying that you should be careful when buying them, you need to know the maker is a good one...

[@ianwiseman4801]

great,a good down to earth presentation and I learnt a lot thanks.

[@Mia_Melville]

Very good. I have one Japanese chisel out of the many I own, and it's my favorite. Just hard to look at Ebay and figure out what's good. This helped, thanks!

[@dyininside9746]

Great Videos bro. your Craftmanship is absolutely stunning and satisfying. thanks

[@wallygoots]

I'll look for one. Thinking one japanese dovetail chisel or longer paring chisel. Also looking for an E.A. Berg, Witherby, Swan and Greenlee socket chisels of the various sizes to make a set with mismatched steel but custom matching handles. Something nice to tie them all together. This is more fun to me than buying a full set when I will only really use 4 or 5 really quality ones most often.

[@steeezyb]

Hey just want to add that decreasing surface area does not decrease friction for a given force. The coefficient of friction for a given force will remain unchanged regardless of the area in contact. The reason Ura makes sense is, as you said, to provide a sense of the edge of the blade.

[@steeezyb]

If you wanted to get technical it actually increases friction in the contact patch, which just amplifies the feeling of the edge more.

[@rodavlasdtgeirke387]

Very informative and highly appreciated.

[@carmenlumayog5755]

I am a wood carpenters specialist here in the country of Philippines.for more than 30 years. I used Stanley brand originally made in England. Because I believe the quality of metal iron is the best and high grade.only we repaired it. I went to the blacksmith who's specialised by quenching methods of fire bar soap and water this could be done by prolonging and strengthening the bevel of the edges and the sharp when you use it at work it will longer period of time.

[@jeremykane3019]

Nice job as always Good info and dose of sarcasm. Keep up the good work. Need to see some woodworking!

[@plakor6133]

thx for good advice. It's useful to have some beaters around also for those not so refined jobs that would fry a good chisel. Just got some harbor freights for this, less than 1$ per

[@loul7239]

I was wondering why you made a knife and not a chisel. I'd love to see you make some funky custom chisel and then carve something cool with it.

[@saulsincere4581]

I know Im pretty off topic but do anybody know of a good website to watch newly released movies online?

[@bishopzion2510]

@Saul Sincere flixportal =)

[@saulsincere4581]

@Bishop Zion Thanks, I signed up and it seems to work =) I really appreciate it!!

[@bishopzion2510]

@Saul Sincere No problem =)

[@glyntutt1586]

I have Barr Quarton framing chisels. Best of both worlds? Barr is an American blacksmith who is Japanese trained in Saumuri Swords!.... socket chisels too!

[@capangus]

On Carving Chisels I prefer Kirschen or Two Cherries. Their range is bigger than Pfeil and the quality is awesome.

[@aheyrnfalco2345]

Lie Nielsen, best socket chisels I've ever used. Not any more expensive than any other quality chisel available.

[@RobinCoomans]

Can't watch right now.. but I'll already give it a like. 'Cuz I know it will be good! 👊👊

[@vincentjoseph5726]

You have nice work Shop.. good keep them up all.

[@daichimax]

Thanks for your great advice!

[@HeadBang4Christ777]

Only thing I’m worried about with buying anything used with a blade is like you said, the previous owner might have used an electric grinder so id be really worried about over heating and ruining the temper

[@leksey7870]

A good review of chisels. Like!

[@Fredcraftness]

I do blacksmithing, so I can literally make the tools I need. But the hardest part was figuring how to grind out the hollow on the back.

[@MrJacobryborg]

on hand forget chisels they aren't grinded.. the blacksmiths use a type of spokeshave and plane the steel to a hollow before they harden it.

[@MBTHandmade]

Good work, yet again. Any chance we can see one of those big slicks in action? Even if I pre-guarantee a thumbs up and share??

[@antonoat]

Amazing amount of valuable information, thanks Samurai. cheers tony

[@justintime2429]

i laughed so hard at :25. I dont know why but it was hilarious. love your humor man! keep up the awesome work!

[@waldvogelreview7755]

I work on computers and do woodworking as a hobby. I like the blend lol

[@RockyMountainBear]

I inherited my grandpa's very old set of craftsman & Stanley chisels. Are they good? They could definitely use new handles.

[@avysdesigns1640]

Thanks for the info! Your collection is awesome!

[@missionron]

Chisels for hardwoods..chisels for softwoods...cross grain, with grain...ones you strike, ones you push only.. The older Japanese chisels are very hard..and therefor brittle..i used a mortice chisel in white oak that totally snapped a good 2-3mm off the entire edge from taking too big of a bite in hardwood with a mortice chisel meant for softer woods. A good deal of the chisels in Japan are designed for softer woods..well, the ones i picked in ebay were, lol...just got to take proper size bites and not go nuts. Regardless though, the chisels harden over time.

[@davesilvia9711]

thanks samurai keep up the good work!

[@derrickharris7003]

You are awesome. Maybe one day I will get to meet you. I love wood.

[@tigordie2916]

Very informative!! Keep em coming!

[@rb3537]

Can your recommend some high quality Japanese chisel manufacturers, or some high quality Japan artisan chisel makers?

[@slomkaadas9603]

Very useful, thx Sir! Cheers

[@stevepicchi8986]

I found some awesome Japanese chisels that were made in china, for sale at Walmart. I guess these are considered hybrid chisels. ;))))))

[@zidek50]

These vids are good, keep em coming!

[@Ajwatters]

im looking to purchase some fujikawa oire nomi chisels...And wanted to know what your opinion on them is... Hope all is well with you and your family... Merry Christmas Samurai

[@Lucaslovgren]

Could you make a video on how to start working with chisels?

[@chadsmiley5485]

So, what do you think about A2 steel? Every time I go to my local woodworking store to look at chisels, they try to sell me A2 steel tools.

[@missionron]

A-2 is an air hardening tool steel. Its good..i personally prefer the older carbon steel chisels to stainless. Tney take an unequaled sharpness that only hi carbon can, AND they are so easy and quick to sharpen. More maintenance but worth it. (I know you didnt ask me but i just wanted to say...cheers!

[@kevinsomething9757]

Awesome video.

[@arnoldromppai5395]

I got 2 big wooden boxes of chisels that are just monsters, a lot of them have never had a handle on them, so how I feel they all been hand made, I got them free from some old people whos husband had pasted away and I did a lot of work for them for years, oh and the truck load of all kinds of picks

[@marktupicoff1856]

Can you show a video on how you sharpen your chisels

[@Coffee3553]

drinking game, take a shot every time the word chisel gets mentioned

[@anthonydtobias]

nice....I learned something! thank you

[@donfinch862]

good post, mate

[@ianbrown7235]

Do you think any of the Japanese chisels on lee Valley are worth buying?

[@viscache1]

Japanese chisels are AWESOME! But there are some $400+ sets that rock then you know how they have been taken care of from day one. But first buy basic auction chisels at auction so you learn how to care for them.

[@christiantmyhre]

You should focus on making stuff. So much tips and tricks, but few building videos. Hope you get some out soon, since that's why I subscribed.

[@ryanb1874]

Yes and is always some sort of ridged sharpening jig needed to avoid bastardizing the edge straightness?

[@davisonalbuquerque2710]

Bom dia sou fã dos seus vídeos . Good samurai !You the is cara! Parabéns

[@dom8455]

chisology .... You are the boss of woodworking-entertainment

[@LaBeefy101]

I love your knowledge bombs!

[@ScottikiSmith]

Just went to the link for the chisels. Unfortunately most of the amazon links from your site say that the chisels are not available anymore.

[@kiaya007]

LOL Did you know? That hand gesture you do at the end of all your videos is the gentleman's way of giving the middle finger in Great Britain and Australia.

[@TheSamuraiCarpenter]

Cool.

[@sunnysimunovic2831]

apparently it is used in Canada as well.!

[@TheVarzoth]

Woo, Sheffield steel is best steel!

[@zepplinkin]

Yo, speaking of tenons and Mortis joints... I've seen you use a chisel but I've also seen you use a machine that looks likes a drill press but bores down a square hole. What is that machine called??

[@MBTHandmade]

A hollow-chisel mortiser. Useful as hell if you make a lot of mortises.

[@DOCDARKNESSREAL]

That would be a Bench Morticer :)

[@DOCDARKNESSREAL]

That would be a Bench Morticer :)

[@tooljunkie555]

a mortising machine. check woodcraft.com or i heard harbor freights is ok for the money but not as accurate or powerful.

[@k.cashman427]

i hear Harbor Freight has some bad ass chisels. Ha! Kidding aside, thanks for the sage advice.

[@JesseUdall]

Do you have any experience with the Stanley sweetheart chisels? If so how do they compare to the Japanese chisels?

[@zaneh6224]

I am looking at some White or blue edge chisels, but have been told Japanese chisels chip easily and do not perform well in hardwoods ?, examples of hardwood timbers I use in Australia have Jenka ratings from 3,900 to 5,060 lbf in comparison American timbers, Hard Maple 1,450 lbf , Hickory 1.850 lbf, Black Walnut 1,010lbf any suggestions ?

[@michaelpukmel9175]

Question: How do you sharpen a chisel?

[@scottdanton1004]

I was going through a box of tools that I got after my grandfather passed away and I found a few Japanese chisels. One of them looks like someone tried to use it to remove a nail or dropped on something, not sure. I was looking at it to recondition the blade, but I have run into a problem. The "dent" goes past the flat part on the back and into the hollow ground. Is there anything that can be done to restore? online links of videos? thanks for showing us your tools..

[@constructionworkerjasonarm3559]

before I watch this, because of the title, I'm afraid Im gonna be broke in a couple years. mixed emotions. lol

[@Pix8176]

Hi Jesse, can you tell me the difference between hybrid, temple, dovetail and orie nomi chisels. I am looking to get a starter set of 3 or 4 chisels and building from there. Any advise would be appreciated. Cheers

[@scooter041031]

Conversion or metric to standard is roughly 25.4mm=1"

[@carbonitegamorrean8368]

2 QUESTIONS Hollow grind, I see is on the Japanese slick, should anyone hollow grind type bench chisel ? AND What is a "slick" compared to a standard or whatever ??

[@christhemexvet6652]

what's the method of sharpening your chisels and how to know when it's too early to sharpen or when it's time to sharpen.

[@hobiecatjp]

Hi Jesse. I'm planning on ordering myself a few good bevel edge chisels but I'm a bit in the dark as to which sizes I should get. I don't think it's necessary to buy a complete set. What would you say are the most commonly used sizes in a standard workshop?

[@三義老男孩]

買一整套

[@newinspiration2108]

Do you have any tips on sharpening those Tsuki Nomi? I've been struggling to get a constant flat bevel on mine

[@janee7995]

The cheap ones are great for learning how to sharpen

[@underthecoverspgh]

Whats with the raw wood slabs behind you? Bar top video!

[@SonsOfThunder229]

Ive seen people sharpen their chisels with an aluminum oxide grinding wheel, and then hone it with stones. Why would you say not to use an electric grinding wheel?

[@gregoriopena3249]

Maravillosas Herramientas .......👍👍

[@lifeasinterns]

When searching Japanese chisels on eBay, do you avoid chisels with nicks on the cutting edge or can they be fixed through sharpening?

[@emielvg1891]

The deeper the nicks, the longer it takes to sharpen them up to the point where you can use them, but it's very possible. I've sharpened one that had a nick in, maybe 1/2 of a mm and that took me about 20 mins with a diamond stone, but I am quite inexperienced. You could also do it on a machine, it Could save you a lot of time, or it could mess up your chisel a lot, because it may become too hot and you can start again going through that whole burned section, because this burned makes the steel weak.

[@srfnscubamunkey]

I sharpened an old USA timber chisel that had a 1/2" chip on the bottom it was 2" wide and had about 10" worth of steel left. It took hours. I used a belt sander with a bucket of water next to me, checking every few seconds the temp of the steel. I would dunk it in the water when ever it got warm. When I got close to being finished I used a stone exclusively. next time ill clamp it in my bridgeport with carbide tooling and flood coolant to fix it in minutes.

[@raytbrown2]

Hey, there. Just a friendly correction. Its pronounced, "FILE". Just like, "Where did I *file* that recipe for baked chicken"? It means arrow. Just thought you should know. I agree that they're the best. The Swiss know their stuff. My wife and her family are from Zurich as are most of my tools.

[@287callum]

Shoutout to the Sheff massive

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

the good and famous older Erik Anton Berg, Eskilstuna, Sweden is popular here in Europe.

[@jamesnelson6884]

I've never really used chisels and I only have 3 rusty ones I got a few years ago from Home Depot. Will some new Stanley ones do me good?

[@enjoythesow]

I can't recommend the bog standard new stanley tools at all, the more expensive ones aren't bad though. Probably the best price/performance ratio on a new set are Narex chisels, they are pretty damn good for a very reasonable price.

[@fredrik.larsen]

Can I use bench chisels for making dove tails? or do I need special dovetail chisels like Shinogi Oire Nomi?

[@CaptainDominic]

hi as a larger guy i find tapes fall off my belt i am wondering where you got your waite jacket from ??