Looking for info and experiences with different Narex chisels?

[SteveMP]

I need to pickup a few new chisels, possibly for use in my travel toolchest to leave in there. So nothing too fancy. Looking at the Narex chisels, I see they now have several different lines. I hear the richter are very good, but about twice the price of premium. Then there are a few other types: classic, Profi, dovetail, Richter extra, Wood line, standard, etc. Previously I had purchased a Narex "classic" mortise chisel and I didn't like the handle, was far too bulky for me. Does anyone have experience with the different versions of the Narex chisels that can add their views on the differences. One thing I read about the richter on the Taytools site is that they have fine side bevels for getting into tight spots like dovetails. Appreciate any input.

Thanks!

 

[Trevanion]

I bought the Richters a few years ago, and they've been an excellent everyday chisel, they hold an excellent edge and are very comfortable in the hand.

I did an initial impressions thread, which was five years ago, doesn't time fly!

https://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/threads/narex-richter-chisels-initial-impressions.5189/

As you say, their basic line (known as "Premium") has handles that aren't particularly appealing, nor particularly comfortable in the hand; the Richter are a completely different level. I bought the 5-piece set, but I use the 3/4" chisel the most by a fair margin, mainly for picking polyurethane glue from joints and scribes, which I know will leave some people aghast, but they are tools, not ornaments.

 

[SteveMP]

I bought the Richters a few years ago, and they've been an excellent everyday chisel, they hold an excellent edge and are very comfortable in the hand.

I did an initial impressions thread, which was five years ago, doesn't time fly!

https://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/threads/narex-richter-chisels-initial-impressions.5189/

As you say, their basic line (known as "Premium") has handles that aren't particularly appealing, nor particularly comfortable in the hand; the Richter are a completely different level. I bought the 5-piece set, but I use the 3/4" chisel the most by a fair margin, mainly for picking polyurethane glue from joints and scribes, which I know will leave some people aghast, but they are tools, not ornaments.

Thank you for sharing! So the fine side edges seem to be a key point of interest to me, at least for one for dovetail cleanup.

 

[Cabinetman]

Hi Steve, you could also look at Robert Sorby chisels, made in the uk and available here, from what I’ve seen they are a similar price to Narex.
I have a set and am very happy with them.
Ian

 

[Dr.Al]

I've got the Narex "8116" chisels and have been very happy with them. The handles are quite big, but I have big hands so I found them fairly comfortable to use. In the end I decided to make my own handles for them, but that was mainly just because I thought it would be an interesting project and it was fun to customise them.

I don't have any of the Richter ones so can't do a direct comparison but the 8116 ones seem to hold their edge very well. I expect the steel is the same as the Richter ones but the shape might be a bit different. I've also got their mortice chisels. I don't like the handles on those at all but I use them quite rarely so just put up with them.

For getting in to corners on dovetails. the Ashley Iles dovetail chisels with the rounded back are fantastic. Grinding the end of an old chisel at at angle is arguably even better.

 

[Woodbloke]

I have a set of the Narex 'Richter' chisels and have found them excellent. This is a review online on the Classic Hand Tools page about a woodworker who used the LN chisels in his 'shop, but needed a second set for site work - Rob

"I’m a big fan of Lie-Nielsen chisels (I have a nice collection), but didn’t want to take them with me to work (I’m a cabinet maker). However, I did need a 25mm chisel for pairing hinges saw the Narex Richter and decided to go with one to try. I’ve heard great things about them and I must say, having used it everyday for 9 months, it is superb. Not only are they well priced, but they are flat, take very little time to prep and even the ash handle feels nice in the hand. I now need a 40mm and 6mm too, so I’m going to opt for some more Narex Richter’s. Had these been available before I bought my Lie-Nielsen bench chisels, I may have bought the Richter’s instead. Yes, they are that good! Highly recommended."

 

[Lons]

I'm of the same opinion as Trev and Rob as I have the set of 5 Richter which are perfect for my needs. The only Narex I own so can't compare sorry.

 

[SteveMP]

Hi Steve, you could also look at Robert Sorby chisels, made in the uk and available here, from what I’ve seen they are a similar price to Narex.
I have a set and am very happy with them.
Ian

Do you have the ones with the London pattern handles or the others?

 

[SteveMP]

I've got the Narex "8116" chisels and have been very happy with them. The handles are quite big, but I have big hands so I found them fairly comfortable to use. In the end I decided to make my own handles for them, but that was mainly just because I thought it would be an interesting project and it was fun to customise them.

I don't have any of the Richter ones so can't do a direct comparison but the 8116 ones seem to hold their edge very well. I expect the steel is the same as the Richter ones but the shape might be a bit different. I've also got their mortice chisels. I don't like the handles on those at all but I use them quite rarely so just put up with them.

For getting in to corners on dovetails. the Ashley Iles dovetail chisels with the rounded back are fantastic. Grinding the end of an old chisel at at angle is arguably even better.

Thanks. Good point about grinding the ends. I have seen Rob Cosman do that, and I think sells some ground down now. Like this, he calls them “Cosmanized”

Cosmanized Half-Blind Chisels: WoodRiver 5/8 Inch

Our Rob Cosman custom made, WoodRiver 5/8 inch half-blind dovetail chisels, are for cleaning out half-blind dovetail sockets. Better than traditional fish tail chisels. Learn all about this tool by watching our product videos, seeing our detailed pictures, and reading our in-depth product...

robcosman.com

 

[SteveMP]

I have a set of the Narex 'Richter' chisels and have found them excellent. This is a review online on the Classic Hand Tools page about a woodworker who used the LN chisels in his 'shop, but needed a second set for site work - Rob

"I’m a big fan of Lie-Nielsen chisels (I have a nice collection), but didn’t want to take them with me to work (I’m a cabinet maker). However, I did need a 25mm chisel for pairing hinges saw the Narex Richter and decided to go with one to try. I’ve heard great things about them and I must say, having used it everyday for 9 months, it is superb. Not only are they well priced, but they are flat, take very little time to prep and even the ash handle feels nice in the hand. I now need a 40mm and 6mm too, so I’m going to opt for some more Narex Richter’s. Had these been available before I bought my Lie-Nielsen bench chisels, I may have bought the Richter’s instead. Yes, they are that good! Highly recommended."

Thank you

 

[Cabinetman]

Do you have the ones with the London pattern handles or the others?

No never been a fan, I’ve got the smooth rounded ones that feel just right in my hand, lovely Boxwood.

 

[Dr.Al]

Thanks. Good point about grinding the ends. I have seen Rob Cosman do that, and I think sells some ground down now. Like this, he calls them “Cosmanized”

Cosmanized Half-Blind Chisels: WoodRiver 5/8 Inch

Our Rob Cosman custom made, WoodRiver 5/8 inch half-blind dovetail chisels, are for cleaning out half-blind dovetail sockets. Better than traditional fish tail chisels. Learn all about this tool by watching our product videos, seeing our detailed pictures, and reading our in-depth product...

robcosman.com

Ooh, that's weird - I've never seen anything like that before. That's like a cross between a bevel-edge chisel and a fish-tail one. I've got a fish-tail one (from Bristol Design) but I don't use it that often.

It was this sort of thing I was talking about:



David Charlesworth uses some with the tip ground at 1:6 for cutting half-lap dovetails but any angle is fine really (as long as it's more acute than the corner you're trying to get into). I like having pairs with opposite angles but with a decent size bevel one of them is fine. They're fantastic for getting into awkward corners like the insides of dovetails or the sharp point of the cut-out you can see in that photo.

They're easy to make, just grind a new bevel at a jaunty angle onto an existing chisel. I've got a few as I decided to make some out of some old chisels of various different widths. You can also buy them pre-ground although they're a bit difficult to find as most searches for skewed chisels will find the woodturning tool that is a similar idea.

 

[SteveMP]

Ooh, that's weird - I've never seen anything like that before. That's like a cross between a bevel-edge chisel and a fish-tail one. I've got a fish-tail one (from Bristol Design) but I don't use it that often.

It was this sort of thing I was talking about:

View attachment 56351

David Charlesworth uses some with the tip ground at 1:6 for cutting half-lap dovetails but any angle is fine really (as long as it's more acute than the corner you're trying to get into). I like having pairs with opposite angles but with a decent size bevel one of them is fine. They're fantastic for getting into awkward corners like the insides of dovetails or the sharp point of the cut-out you can see in that photo.

They're easy to make, just grind a new bevel at a jaunty angle onto an existing chisel. I've got a few as I decided to make some out of some old chisels of various different widths. You can also buy them pre-ground although they're a bit difficult to find as most searches for skewed chisels will find the woodturning tool that is a similar idea.

Oh that does seem like a good idea to have. I did make a blunt chisel which I use all the time for various things. Bill Carter (one of the best plane makers) has a good video on it for those that haven't tried a blunt chisel;

 

[Dr.Al]

Oh that does seem like a good idea to have. I did make a blunt chisel which I use all the time for various things. Bill Carter (one of the best plane makers) has a good video on it for those that haven't tried a blunt chisel;

That's really impressive. I shall have to give that a go, thanks for sharing.

 

[SteveMP]

That's really impressive. I shall have to give that a go, thanks for sharing.

No problem, enjoy. I use it far all kinds of things, seating a blade in a japanese kanna, scraping glue from glue ups, shaving down wood that tears out etc. If you want to see impressive though, take a look at some of the planes that he makes!

For Sale

Bill Carter woodworking plane maker Leicester

www.billcarterwoodworkingplanemaker.co.uk

 

[Dr.Al]

No problem, enjoy. I use it far all kinds of things, seating a blade in a japanese kanna, scraping glue from glue ups, shaving down wood that tears out etc. If you want to see impressive though, take a look at some of the planes that he makes!

For Sale

Bill Carter woodworking plane maker Leicester

www.billcarterwoodworkingplanemaker.co.uk

Blimey, they're very impressive but ever so slightly outside of my price bracket