What Chisels Do You Use? Ask Matt #1

[@JackbenchWoodworking]

Those Ashley Iles chisels are sooooo coooool!

[@markchisholm2657]

Just looked at the Asley Illes website. Nice to see a small family run firm making hand made tools in the UK. Not many left.

[@NickFerry]

great info Matt. I'm really looking forward to the next one on sharpening!

[@mcremona]

Nick Ferry Thanks Nick!

[@peterbrownwastaken]

Which ones are best for opening paint cans? :) I have the HD Marples set, those striker plates drive me nuts... : )

[@mcremona]

Peter Brown They are all really good for opening paint cans. I'd say the best one is which ever is closest to the can. :)

[@danielmcdonald6148]

Don't open cans with your chisels... that's what you have a combination square for ;)

[@JT-hw6mq]

Got the flu and have been watching all your older videos. Great library of woodworking instruction. Thanks!

[@mcremona]

Thank you! Hope you feel better soon :)

[@j.d.ransom6721]

Very nice chisels Matt. Great information. Thanks.

[@mcremona]

J.D. Ransom Thanks J.D.! I appreciate it as always!

[@lgallant]

Very cool segment! Thanks for sharing your collection!

[@mcremona]

Leo Gallant Thank you Leo!

[@carmenlumayog5755]

The best chisel is Stanley brand originally from made in England. Here in the Philippines country most of wood carpenters specialist. The Filipino carpenters are 90 percent they are using this, because we believe the type of metal is selected and the best kinds too.only we repair by quenching methods we do it quenching by manual in the methods of Filipino tradition. Like this put the bevel and edges into the fire just 2 inches distance from the tip of edges, then it becomes red. Take it and wipe the bar soap of clothes back to back horizontal direction, and return it in fire for 8 seconds the edges and bevel will red again then submerge gradually the edges and bevel into water. The white line its appear this is a good result of quenching methods. The objective is to prolong the sharp of the edges when you use it at work for a Long period of time.

[@AdventuresInDIY]

Great information on how you use your different chisels for joinery tasks. Thanks Matt.

[@mcremona]

AdventuresInDIY Thanks Chris!

[@ChurchClown7]

Great information. I didn't even realize that I need more chisels.

[@mcremona]

Donald Fugitt Careful. They're addictive :)

[@matthewjohnson7933]

Very cool! I have a bunch of chisels from my grandpa, and they all need some attention.

[@mcremona]

Matthew Johnson Thats's awesome! I wish I had more inherited tools. The few tools that I inherited all needed some attention but I'm glad I spent the time to get them fixed up. Thanks!

[@ivanmills7664]

Thanks I look forward to them all.

[@mcremona]

ivan mills Thanks Ivan!

[@NMND.]

Thank you for adding the playlist link in the description. I hate it, when people forget to do that. :D

[@Shopbuilt]

Some really nice stuff! I don't really have the use for the higher end chisels like you would but I do really like the Narex chesils, they seem to be pretty decent for the price.

[@mcremona]

Shop built I hear great things about the Narex bench chisels. Sounds like they are a solid set to have. Thanks!

[@Mctrippa83]

I bought this set of Narex beveled edge chisels about five years ago goo.gl/xe1wuU and have had no problems with them, once they have been tuned and sharpened they cut well and hold a decent edge. However, if I was to buy them again I would spend a little extra on these Narex cabinet makers chisels goo.gl/kL17P2 not for any other reason than they have brass ferrules and look nicer. I think you would struggle to find better quality for the same price, I definitely recommend them.

[@woodsheddesign]

Narex is very good chisel i bought set off 12 to when i was back home in czech republick 2 years a go for £55 and the are very good very happy

[@Madmoody21]

Nice neat new sets. I only have buck brothers some unknown eastern Euro old stuff some unknown Swedish old stuff. My joy is large framing type chisels slicks and corners. There is no way you could do this now but I flew from Ohio to California with my luggage packed with chisel irons and my carry on handles from Amish market outside of Columbus.

[@TedAlexander24]

Thanks for all of the information Matt. I would like to see the mallets that you use and the different applications for each.

[@mcremona]

Ted Alexander Thanks Ted. Mallet would be quick. I only use one: a hard rubber mallet

[@TedAlexander24]

LOL. OK Matt. I think I have seen that demonstration.

[@twagner6155]

I'm a cabinet maker and I don't have very many chisels and I've been doing this since '87. You don't need all those unless you have a lot of bucks.

[@stevecollins9450]

Very informative, Matt. Great video!

[@mcremona]

Steve Collins Thank you, Steve! I appreciate it!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Where do you get the Ashley chisels?

[@232chris232]

Hi I have a set of irwin marples I have had for 10 years I don't find they hold the edge or sharpen up that well what chisels do you think would be best to replace them with I do a lot of door hanging general carpentry and want a good set

[@lumay333]

Great video, question: how long is the Narex heavy-duty chisel? I bought a chisel for wood tray texturing but it seems way too heavy. I am a beginner. Thanks

[@CWdobro]

Great thanks for answer👍

[@krtwood]

I don't know why this just occurred to me watching this, but I wonder how a plane iron would work as a wide chisel? I don't have anything over 1" and I probably wouldn't buy one to hardly ever use it. I wouldn't want to pull the iron out of a plane I actually use and beat on it with a mallet, but I've got some old planes hanging around. Maybe make a wooden handle that would slip over the end. For just establishing a straight line I would think it would work fine.

[@mcremona]

krtwood I bet that would work well. I'm going to start doing that :)

[@Simplecove]

Just getting back to watching this and I just ordered 4 ashley Iles Pattern Chisels! In watching you talk about the mortise chisel, I thought of a question for you (and maybe a potential ask Matt episode). How do you cut your mortise and tenons? Im guessing routers but just thought I would throw it out there. I looked through your ask Matt videos and didn't see one. Thanks for the video, got some motivation for upgrading my chisels!

[@zachmarchmusic]

I thought this was a joke at first!! You are Demetri Martins twin, I swear it! Thank you Matt, great video. Really appreciate the help and keep up the good work my friend.

[@mcremona]

lol thanks!

[@NicholasGomez]

It is nice to see such a wide variety of chisels - thanks for sharing Matthew Cremona. Not sure If you have said in previous videos. What type of mallet do you use on your chisels? And do you have a specific mallet for the various brands of chisels? Example: I use a 24oz decking hammer on my Home Depot paint can opening chisels. But I use a hardened leather faced mallet on my Swiss chisels. Thanks for sharing this series on your shop. :)

[@mcremona]

Nicholas Gomez Thanks! haha! The classic paint can opening chisels!! My mallet is probably the least glamorous tool in my shop. It's just a hard rubber mallet. Nothing special. It's one of those things that work well so I don't worry about it. I would like to turn a carver's mallet as some point.

[@bobmacny333]

Please explain why we have rebate, fillister ,plow and shoulder plane. How do you use the differences

[@IamtheActionman]

Serious chisel collection Envious

[@ivanmills7664]

Awesome video. After the sharpening video could you tell us about your planes? I have been looking at some and don't know where to start.

[@mcremona]

ivan mills Thanks Ivan! I'll have a plane video after the sharpening one. That one will be out next week.

[@johnlail6799]

Good info Mat! Thanks and Merry Christmas

[@mcremona]

John Lail Thank you John! Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@DIYTyler]

Very nice Matt, am jealous!

[@mcremona]

***** Thanks Tyler! It took a few years to accumulate all these.

[@Loo0ch]

I can't find the link for your grandpa's chisel. That thing is awesome.

[@davidrannings801]

thanks for the sharping and chisel update .... your bench ...did you make it or did you buy it..and where????

[@mcremona]

Hi David, I built the bench earlier this year. If you look at my first shop updates from last Jan, you'll see me talk about it building it over the course of a few weeks. The plans are from the Wood Whisperer Guild: bit.ly/1Bk38ra

[@davidrannings801]

Thanks Matt...I will look for the plans and your Jan. episode...hoping I can start on my bench in a couple of weeks...

[@woodturningjohn]

Good info Matt, I like the butt chisels. I do not use chisels very much but when I do, I do not use mallets so the hand held would be great. I picked up a old inch and a half chisel at a yard sale and made a little turned handle for it. Looks kind of funny but it is my glue chisel and I like it :)

[@mcremona]

woodturningjohn Those butt chisels would be great for you then :) Might not want to use them on glue though :) Have a great New Year, John! Thanks for all the support this year!

[@woodturningjohn]

No a set like that would not be used for glue :) just the old fultons I pick up for a quarter and put handles on are used for that, lol. Might pick me up a set of those in April for my birthday.

[@WoodworkingDaddy]

Great video. For the next broad topic question, how about showing us your sharpening system.

[@mcremona]

***** Thanks! Sharpening is up next.

[@blackemmons]

Thanks Matt. I'm not a hand tool guy mostly because of a lack of knowledge. A topic I would be interested in is hand planes, Where to start? Which one first? What is each one used for? Do you need one of everything? What steel for the blade? How to handle? Proper adjustment? Good vs best vs junk? Maintenance of? Old vs new? Brands? ????????? JimE

[@mcremona]

blackemmons I might have to do 2 hand plane videos to cover all that :) Sounds like a good topic. Thanks!

[@OswaldoAgurto]

Really nice and informative video! I was looking info about the woodriver ones and ended here. How does edge retention compare with the woodriver ones to the Ashley Iles?

[@CWdobro]

Hi matt your videos are great thank you for them! My question is why you decided in the first place to go with the ashleys instead of the other big name brands? (Veritas/Lee valley etc). I have a set of woodcraft bench which are OK beginners and 1 old stsnly which I love but want to upgrade and just cannot make up my mind for over a year now lolThanks alit againCkaude

[@mcremona]

Thanks! Mostly cost. I'd love to get a set of Veritas chisels with the PMV-11 steel but that day is probably still a ways off. The Ashley Iles also have a unique design which makes them ideal for dovetailing work.

[@RICDirector]

Ok....Is it wrong to sigh with lust every time a beautiful set of tools crosses the screen? I mean, seriously---sharp, clean, shiny, and well made? HEAVEN!

[@andreicharpentierquesada4530]

Im thinking to buy a set of 6 chisels and i have $200 Options: -oiire nomi chisels (japanese) -kirschen chisel (geramn) Wich will you recomend to me? Thx and salutes

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

Ashley Iles 4 or 6 piece set. Easily the best value for money. Good steel, high Rockwell, easy to sharpen.

[@kevindowd7769]

Hello Matt... I have a set (6) of the bevel edge Mkll Cabinet Makers Chisels... I absolutely love /adore how these feel in my hand. They are light weight and really well balanced... so yes when holding the chisel closer to the cutting edge, they are so easy to use. My only complaint is that My set took a lot of work to flatten the backs... but now they are flat and polished... I love working with theses. They are hard to find... I got my set of 6 for $189.95 from a company called The Best Things. Anyway... did you have to put in so much work for your sets? Do You still love them as of May 2019? Thanks for all your work...

[@SD_makes]

You are probably aware but Ashley Iles chisels come with a slight hollow ground into the back. It is designed to make the back of the cutting edge quicker to sharpen. I would expect it to tage a very long time to fully flatten the backs of these.

[@glebarshinov3915]

Nice chisels. I am going to buy my first chisels What can you recomend me?

[@Teddy-zz6kp]

Gleb Arshinov if you have a deep pocket you shuld take a look at the blue spruce chisels. Other wise i ashley illes mkII.

[@glebarshinov3915]

Teddy Dahlqvist Thanks. May be a wiil buy ashley ilies

[@Teddy-zz6kp]

Gleb Arshinov all the best.

[@tooljunkie555]

Some of those are Beauties! I have a few OLD SCHOOL Stanley chisels from my father and he got them from his uncle. Not sure what type they are but I xan still see the Stanley engravings if I send you some pictures of them do you think maybe you could take a guess as to what type they are and what I could use them for it one is a quarter inch another one looks like A 2 inch and another one looks like a inch and a quarter thanks matt talk to you next episode

[@mcremona]

Joe Walters Thanks for sending those pictures, Joe. Beautiful chisels you have there. They should last you for many years :)

[@tooljunkie555]

Thanks matt! So far at least 56 yrs idk how long his uncle had them for..

[@GH-sx6tk]

Hey Matty c, Loved the look into the chisels! have always wondered about the little butt chisels you have. What about an episode talking about your work bench. Where you got the plans, how long it took you to build, how much, timber type etc. Harry.

[@mcremona]

Glen H What's up, Harry?! I was building my workbench in my first shop update videos. Good topic idea. I'll take a run through your questions: Woodwhisperer Guild, 80 hours, $800 for hardware, wood is soft maple and was free. Hope you've been doing well!

[@GH-sx6tk]

And you thought i was a loyal fan! Haha. I haven’t seen your earlier vids then, clearly. I better go back and have a look see.

[@mcremona]

Matthew Cremona haha no worries. They're not very good. I have a hard time watching them :)

[@exotoguy]

+Matthew Cremona This series is exactly what I've been hoping for, also nice to see the Ashley isle chisel are very reasonably priced!!

[@mcremona]

Aaron P Excellent! I'm happy to hear that! I think they are a really good value for how good they are. The quality of the steel is excellent.

[@abakerspassion9947]

Thank you for yesterday's response, and this video is once again amazing. Thank you for the guidance and help Matt.

[@mcremona]

You're more than welcome. Thank you!!

[@keats182]

I saw your review for Highland Woodworking on the Blue Spruce chisels. I know that was a couple years ago now. Do you have any opinions either way? I know the Blue Spruce uses A2 steel and the Ashley Iles uses O1. But the Blue Spruce are about three times the cost. I've been steadily trying to get the round back Ashley Iles chisels. I only know of one place to get them in America. I saw the dovetail chisels from Blue Spruce and wonder if it is worth the extra cost since they're actually in stock.

[@mcremona]

I didn't use the Blue Spruce long enough to test the edge retention. I liked the overall feel of the Blue Spruce better but functionally, I found them to be the same

[@keats182]

Wow, that was a fast reply. Thank you! You mean they didn't give you your own set for advertising? LOL. Is there a significant difference in the shape of the chisel on the 1/4" Ashley Iles round back and regular bench chisel?

[@mcremona]

lol nope. HIghland gives me the option to purchase the tools if I want to keep them The shapes are very different. The Blue Spruce has a traditional bevel edged chisel shape but with the concavities along the edges. The Round Backs have a semi circle profile.

[@simplediyr]

Hey Matt, I'm about to start buying and building my chisel sets. I'm leaning more towards the Ashley Iles one. I really don't want to start with a low end cheap set only to later upgrade. Can you tell me which 3-4 sizes you recommend I start with first? Thanks brotha!

[@mcremona]

+Simple DIYr depends on the type and size of work you're planning to do. I use 1/4, 1/8, 3/8 the most often and 3/4 or 1 inch for some larger cleanup work where I need more reference area

[@simplediyr]

+Matthew Cremona thanks a ton bro. I'm gonna mostly be doing drawers and boxes.

[@simplediyr]

+Matthew Cremona one more q on this. Round back or pattern to start with?

[@mcremona]

I really like my roundbacks. Not the best for heavy chopping but are great for finesse work

[@simplediyr]

+Matthew Cremona hey buddy, just got in my first set of Ashley's ;-) Quick question, probably dumb and maybe good for an Ask Matt ep. Are these ready to go and use or do I have to sharpen them first? They're pretty sharp from what I can tell. Also can I just use the horse butt for now? I didn't get a stone yet. Thanks again brotha!

[@MikeKapotsy]

Wow, I am glad to know that some of the chisels I've purchased in the past made your list! Thanks for this new series, very informative. I'd be interested in the same type of video focused on different hand planes most commonly used.

[@mcremona]

Mike Kapotsy Thanks Mike! I've had a few requests for a handplane video so that will be #3.

[@hernancoronel]

Hi Matt great video thank you! Would it be time for an update? Did you change anything regarding your chisel setup?

[@MyGarageWoodshop]

Thanks Matt! I dig the new format man! please keep it coming. I was actually looking at buying some of the ones you presented. it was nice to see it in someone's hand so I could get a good look at their size and edges. thanks.

[@mcremona]

My Garage Woodshop Thanks! Just keep in mind, I have baby hands :)

[@SawdustAndShavings]

do you have any blue spruce chisels?

[@Teddy-zz6kp]

Frank Y he probably not a set cost 615$

[@keats182]

He did make a review on the dovetail chisel set sold by Highland woodworking. I'm guessing he didn't keep them though. They are about three times the cost of the Ashley Iles chisels.

[@summerswoodworking]

thanks bro!

[@mcremona]

+Summers Woodworking no problem

[@glenn549]

Those Ashley chisels are really nice; I might have to keep them in a jewelry box, a bit pricey for the set but after seeing you dove tail video they may be worth it....

[@shelbyswoc]

what can be made from cotten wood trees...

[@nordyfamily]

Keep up the great work~

[@MRrwmac]

Really like this format! You do an excellent job of presenting the content! I'm sure it will be helpful to many of your viewers as I know it will be to me. Looking forward to all of them and know I will learn something. I'm off to Woodcraft to buy some better chisels since they are on sale. I'll start sharpening the factory flat and edge but will wait until after seeing your sharpening video before I buy something (maybe diamond stone) to get them razor sharp with an edge that will last for awhile.

[@mcremona]

MRrwmac Thanks Mac! Hopefully the sharpening video will help you out :) Hope you have a great Christmas!

[@TyMoser]

And I thought I had a tool problem... That's only half the number of clamps I have. :)

[@mcremona]

Ty Moser It's a disease.

[@rbaleksandar]

Flexing the chisel?! What sort of material are these made of? LOL I would expect that a chisel (from steel) will not flex. If you need flexing than you just get a chisel with a specific curved blade. :P

[@Teddy-zz6kp]

Wow no dislikes

[@JimCoogan_CoogansWorkshop]

Excellent video Matt. Shared it before it was done :-) I am in the process of looking at my own chisels because they all epically failed me during my staircase project at home. Now they are all officially,as you called yours, my beaters. Time for new ones.

[@mcremona]

Jim Coogan Thanks for sharing, Jim! Beaters have their place :)

[@johnconklin9039]

Very interesting Matt. Always fun to see someone else's tools and how they use them. Ever think about trying some of the Japanese chisels?

[@mcremona]

John Conklin Thanks John! I've thought about it. The Japanese tools are a rabbit hole themselves. I'm fairly satisfied with my tool set but if I need to branch out, I'll most likely look to some Japanese tools.

[@matt_williams1015]

Great video! Too bad you didn't put this out sooner so I could put some of those chisels on my Christmas list!

[@mcremona]

Matt Williams There's always next year or birthday or spontaneous gifts :)

[@FubbyDoo]

My main set are all Narex chisels. I also have a few marples and a beater set. The Ashley Iles chisels looked really good but the store you gave the link for is sold out of every set. I went to the home website www.ashleyilestoolstore.co.uk and it says orders are going to be delayed due to illness. Too bad as I was going to try a set.

[@glebwoodworker5327]

Where do you live?

[@mcremona]

Minneapolis

[@CancerConquering]

how in the hell do you sharpen a 1/16 inch chisel haha.

[@mcremona]

very carefully or with a specialized guide: instagram.com/p/BEwDzYpnWfp/

[@TardlerDesigns]

Nice video Matt! I use Stanleys 750 Series! Wooden Handles look too nice to give up! Check out my Pallet up-cycle challenge video entry if you have spare time, its on my channel!

[@mcremona]

BrandonsProject Thanks and thanks for sharing your Pallet Challenge video. It was a fun watch!

[@xanokothe]

I wish I had money for some woodworking tools. Damn, they are so expensive and low quality here

[@mcremona]

Xano Trevisan Kothe That sucks. Have them shipped in?

[@xanokothe]

Matthew Cremona We cant import anythink. If it comes from anywhere else besides China the shipping costs are too high. If the prices + shipping costs are more than 50$ we are taxed in 110%. An imported product which costs 100$, would costs easly here 210$. The dollar today is $1 to R$ 3 for our currency (R$ 1 = a bottle of water) =/