Chisel ... not just the grind

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
Messages
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I thought I would post this here as it's an avenue I hope to pursue and would really appreciate it if anyone has come across some videos or sites about forging chisels, particularly Japanese style, could they post the links. I kinda just made this up as I went looking at photos of Japanese forged chisels.


I am a woodworker in my regular job so I guess it's only natural to try a chisel. I've been coveting a buddy's Japanese chisels but short of a couple saya chisels for my sword work, I haven't bought any for my day job.
That same buddy has been bugging me to try a chisel as he has some designs he wants made so here's my first attempt. It's all hammer finished and was a real exercise in forging for me.


This one is in W2 as I want to get the forging process down before trying laminated blades. I went with the "relic" look as I think it has so much character. As one co-worker said, it's an "instant antique".


It's a 1" paring chisel with a white oak handle with a spacer of 3500 year old bog oak. I did a hemp wrap instead of a ferrule.
The handle is about 7" long.


The last view shows how it clears the work piece.

I really enjoy this piece and I'd like to make more. All my co-workers want some, too.:p


chisel1.jpg



chisel2.jpg



chisel3.jpg



chisel4.jpg



chisel5.jpg
 
Oh yes, yes, yes!!!

That is just the ticket Stuart, and damn if it doesn't look like a "Branson" as well.
I also do some woodworking and have a few nice Japanese chisels in regular use. This one would fall right in line.
Well done.

Peter
 
Very nice indeed.

All your pictures show the top of the blade. Did you relieve or polish the other side at all?
 
Thanks. I did relieve the back for the initial flattening but as this is a paring chisel, I lapped it with very little of the hollow remaining. As a "do all" chisel, the hollow in the back can be a detriment for working on thinner material as it's better to have the surface of a fully lapped back.
 
It's just from experience and those of my co-workers. Most really like Japanese chisels but when cleaning up joinery, the chisel can roll off or be unstable due to the hollow. It's like having too large a base plate on your router and running it on narrow material, it's harder to control.
 
There are Canadian suppliers who sell Hitachi Blue and White paper steel. They are the preferred steels for chisel and plane makers. Check out some of the chisel and plane forums where these makers hang out. Those guys are crazy about the products they make for the high end woodworkers.
 
My father-in-law has some old "stanley" chisels, he says hes had them "forever", look like turn or the century, but who knows...he keeps them suckers shaving-sharp "litteraly, i tried once" and he hones them before and after every use by hand on an old forgive me if I use the wrong term "Dr.'s stone"? ( I guess they used them to sharpen their scalpels?) anyways he is so proud to use them, and I keep my fingers crossed to mebbe inherit them someday. Nothing like a good ol' chisel... especially one with a story behind it!!! Just saying sound like the beginning of a great story!!!


BTW he has been a finish woodworker since long-before I ever met him. just to clear things up.
 
bladsmth said:
There are Canadian suppliers who sell Hitachi Blue and White paper steel. They are the preferred steels for chisel and plane makers. Check out some of the chisel and plane forums where these makers hang out. Those guys are crazy about the products they make for the high end woodworkers.
Click to expand...

That's quite a teaser Stacy. Now I have to find out about these suppliers... Any name of the forums you mention?
 
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That is really nice!

I have a question, is there a shoulder on the tang to help prevent it being driven further into the handle? Or does it just rely on a tapered tang and then the cord reinforced handle to keep it from going further/splitting?

Thanks for sharing,
Steve
 
Thanks Stacy.. I'll check those out. Knifemaker.ca doesn't bring in Hitachi steel as far as I know.

The hemp is epoxy impregnated though I think in future ones, I am going to use something natural.

Yes there is a shoulder and the fit is quite precise. You can't drive it in further and I barbed the tang so it won't be coming out either.
 
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