Narex Richter Chisels: Initial Impressions

[Trevanion]

What you pay for is the fancy blacksmith's work with those über-expensive chisels. They actually work no better as 'users' than the ordinary ones. I have a similar set of those less expensive ones from Workshop Heaven which will take and hold a superb edge, but which are only used light and delicate hand paring. The fancy ones do look pretty though - Rob

As you say Rob, the pattern steel backer is purely cosmetic and adds no other function to the chisel, the laminated carbon steel that does the cutting is the same on both chisels but the fancy chisel is £400 more :lol:

I remember someone saying that pattern steel (Damascus) tools and utensils made in Japan very rarely stay in Japan as they are quite a lucrative export to "Westerners" whilst Japanese people focused less on the tools doing the work and focus more on the quality of work being done and would simply use the very plainest and humble of tools and utensils.

 

[Andy Kev.]

I think that if you have a great deal of money to spare and that if you are completely knocked out by the aesthetics of the most expensive chisels, then of course what's wrong with buying one? The question then is: do you use it or do you put it in a display case as a work of art? Or do you build the display case to put it in when you're not using it?

I have the impression that some people get genuinely offended by the very existence of such tools. I don't although I personally wouldn't buy one. I could see me shelling out €89 for the 36 mm one from the cheaper range (especially at the moment given that money can't be blown in restaurants etc.) but when it comes to the expensive ones, yes I appreciate the beauty of them but not enough to want to buy one.

 

[Woodbloke]

As you say Rob, the pattern steel backer is purely cosmetic and adds no other function to the chisel, the laminated carbon steel that does the cutting is the same on both chisels but the fancy chisel is £400 more :lol:

I remember someone saying that pattern steel (Damascus) tools and utensils made in Japan very rarely stay in Japan as they are quite a lucrative export to "Westerners" whilst Japanese people focused less on the tools doing the work and focus more on the quality of work being done and would simply use the very plainest and humble of tools and utensils.

Spot on Adrian. As far as I can make out, the patterned (Damascus) steel is produced entirely for the Western market and the locals in Japan use only very plain (but extremely good quality) utensils and knives. We had severial meals at a particularly nice restaurant in Kyoto where I sat in front of this sushi chef...



...and I asked on one occasion if I could examine his knife. Rosewood handle, very 'ordinary' (or so it appeared) steel, but super, super sharp :shock: - Rob

 

[Craig Salisbury]

just to add to this, i bought some kitchen knives in kappabashi in tokyo and chatting with the guy there the average westerner don't want the hassle with single bevel plain knives as these need a lot more care and maintenance due to rusting. they also like to show their friends fancy damascus knives.

...so yes, i'm lazy so i bought damascus lol

 

[AJB Temple]

Not sure I agree that the sushi chefs in the mid to upper end Japanese sushi and sashimi restaurants use cheap and functional knives, though some do and some use western knives as well. In my slightly obsessive travels around Japan I've sat watching chefs using various long knives (yanagiba, kiritsuki yana etc) to prepare fish. They may look plain (very rarely if ever Damascus) but they will often be from prestige makers such as Aritsuga or now hard to find Shigefusa. These are crazy money now.

There are definitely people around who will pay serious money for hand made artisanal knives and tools. Friend of mine in USA has a few dollars and hundreds of hand made knives. Many are never used and just displayed. He decided to take up workshop activities (for which he is exceedingly ill suited) and has amassed very fine chisels, planes and so on, all beautifully displayed in his huge workshop. His skill is minimal to non-existent, but I still like his tool collection.

 

[billw]

Watching skilled sushi chefs is as good as eating the products themselves.

 

[Woodbloke]

....often be from prestige makers such as Aritsuga or now hard to find Shigefusa. These are crazy money now.

I bought three Aritsuga knives from their shop in Kyoto, two of which had my name engraved on the blades in Japanese kanji - Rob

 

[AJB Temple]

Ha! We both have the T-shirt for that Rob In the aisle in the shopping centre, with the blowfish restaurant just down the row. Same family (which fell out) had another shop on the old fish market site in Tokyo.

I really love Kyoto. Such a fascinating city. So many great little restaurants (not the touristy ones). We went to every knife shop and local maker and most of the gardens, including the moss garden at the monastery (Saiho-Ji: Koke-Dera moss temple) where you had to get invited by postcard in advance and do a sheet of calligraphy before being allowed in the amazing garden.

We must exchange notes one of these days!

A

 

[AJB Temple]

Sorry - might have drifted slightly off topic there.

 

[Trevanion]

So one month on, what do I think?

They're great.






...








Oh, you want more detail? Alright then.

Thus far, I have been really impressed with the Richters! I haven't been babying them much at all and they've had a couple of fair wallopings with a mallet (or even a claw hammer lightly on occasion when the mallet was too far) now and stood up very well. One thing I will note is that I feel that the tops of the handles are maybe a little too round initially, as I had a couple of deflections of the mallet when I first started using them as the top is almost a perfect dome rather than a gentle round-over, but this is really a non-issue as the tops began to flatten out a bit as it was being used.

I haven't even felt the need to sharpen them yet after a whole month. I've been using them quite a fair amount and the edge still feels good, not the same as the initial sharpen I did on them, granted, but good enough for my work and they just seem to keep going and going. I'm mostly doing fairly light chopping and paring working in Accoya (Radiata Pine) which is fairly easy on the tools anyway, but the latewood can be very hard on hand tools in particular.

We'll see how they keep going.

 

[Woodbloke]

So one month on, what do I think?

They're great.






...








Oh, you want more detail? Alright then.

Thus far, I have been really impressed with the Richters! I haven't been babying them much at all and they've had a couple of fair wallopings with a mallet (or even a claw hammer lightly on occasion when the mallet was too far) now and stood up very well. One thing I will note is that I feel that the tops of the handles are maybe a little too round initially, as I had a couple of deflections of the mallet when I first started using them as the top is almost a perfect dome rather than a gentle round-over, but this is really a non-issue as the tops began to flatten out a bit as it was being used.

I haven't even felt the need to sharpen them yet after a whole month. I've been using them quite a fair amount and the edge still feels good, not the same as the initial sharpen I did on them, granted, but good enough for my work and they just seem to keep going and going. I'm mostly doing fairly light chopping and paring working in Accoya (Radiata Pine) which is fairly easy on the tools anyway, but the latewood can be very hard on hand tools in particular.

We'll see how they keep going.

I intend to get hold of a set of those bad boys as and when WH get their next shipment delivered. As soon as I've run them in, my Jap chisels will be up for grabs - Rob

 

[Woodbloke]

They're back in stock again at WH and I've just received a set. Initial impressions are very, very good indeed! Less that 5mins to hone an edge and polish the back; they take an edge easily as good as my Japanese chisels, also from WH - Rob

 

[RogerS]

I couldn't resist. Flashed the cash. I've got some of the smaller Narex chisels and I rather like them. Let's hope these new ones last better than my others as I do have a tendency to use them for unorthodox purposes. Well, only the really duff ones.

 

[Trevanion]

They're back in stock again at WH and I've just received a set. Initial impressions are very, very good indeed! Less that 5mins to hone an edge and polish the back; they take an edge easily as good as my Japanese chisels, also from WH - Rob

That's good praise as you actually know your stuff Rob, I'm just a bodge-job man by comparison :lol:

I couldn't resist. Flashed the cash. I've got some of the smaller Narex chisels and I rather like them. Let's hope these new ones last better than my others as I do have a tendency to use them for unorthodox purposes. Well, only the really duff ones.

I've actually come to the conclusion that while these seem expensive initially they are actually ridiculously cheap for the quality of them.

 

[ScaredyCat]

Interestingly, this popped up in my feed...

[youtubessl]-TOMeB5RMkQ[/youtubessl]


Spolier: "These are hands down the best chisels I've ever used"

 

[Woodbloke]

Interesting; just about to use my new set for a bit of drawer shovetailing - Rob

 

[Lurker]

Not sure if this is of interest.

I have had uncle Geoffs chisels and then also my dads for some 30 years ( marples with boxwood handle) so have never needed to buy chisels.
Dad drummed it into me to treat them nicely, and to have a couple of manky ones for hacking jobs,thus avoiding temptation.

I must have bought this from some pound shop like place, I imagine that I paid pennies.
It’s a damn fine tool bearing in mind that it’s function was to misuse it.

I guess I bought it in the 70s
Note the made in Czechoslovakia

Edit: just incase the marking cannot be read it is a narex from the time, I assume, they sold them at cost for the western currency.

 

[Malc2098]

My first chisel was a 1/2" Stanley with a black handle. It was the only one I had for years.

Still got it. Not bad steel.

 

[jimmy s]

Not sure if this is of interest.

I have had uncle Geoffs chisels and then also my dads for some 30 years ( marples with boxwood handle) so have never needed to buy chisels.
Dad drummed it into me to treat them nicely, and to have a couple of manky ones for hacking jobs,thus avoiding temptation.

I must have bought this from some pound shop like place, I imagine that I paid pennies.
It’s a damn fine tool bearing in mind that it’s function was to misuse it.

I guess I bought it in the 70s
Note the made in Czechoslovakia

I've got a couple like that as well Lurker They get used for some jobs that may or may not involve wood - I'm saying no more :eusa-whistle: . They seem to be the main chisels I'm using at the moment unfortunately, mainly as I'm stripping out one of the rooms in the house back to the stone walls and taking out the floor and ceiling etc, so not much fine woodwork going on.

I had a look at the new Narex ones but have managed to restrain from purchasing - I have enough chisels already - I just need to get time to use them.

 

[Woodbloke]

Having used one of mine (for the first time) this afternoon to chop through some end grain Douglas Fir, the edge started to crumble after a few hefty wallops. I was a bit confused.com and reverted to a bit of research on the 'pooter; it appears that this is a very common occurrence with new Narex chisels. After a few honings, the softer metal at the edge disappears and you then get into the 'good stuff' - Rob

 

[Trevanion]

Having used one of mine (for the first time) this afternoon to chop through some end grain Douglas Fir, the edge started to crumble after a few hefty wallops. I was a bit confused.com and reverted to a bit of research on the 'pooter; it appears that this is a very common occurrence with new Narex chisels. After a few honings, the softer metal at the edge disappears and you then get into the 'good stuff' - Rob

Strange, I haven't had that issue personally but I did put a pretty generous 30-degree bevel on the front, to begin with.

 

[Woodbloke]

Strange, I haven't had that issue personally but I did put a pretty generous 30-degree bevel on the front, to begin with.

As did I but it still crumbled, though with repeated use of the strop it was easy to remove the crumbled edge and restore it's sharpness. As the afternoon wore on, the crumbliness seemed to reduce so I reckon that with one or three more honings it'll be gone entirely - Rob

 

[droogs]

It is well known that the Narex chisels due to the hardening process they use are a little iffy for the first few mm from new but once past that point they are superb at retaining an edge and a joy to use.

This has happened with all my Narex edge tools, but hey who doesn't put their own edge on a new tool

 

[RogerS]

... but hey who doesn't put their own edge on a new tool

Um...me ?

 

[Woodbloke]

It is well known that the Narex chisels due to the hardening process they use are a little iffy for the first few mm from new but once past that point they are superb at retaining an edge and a joy to use.

That's useful to know, thanks. Thus far, having used the Richter's a couple of times, I've been pretty impressed with them - Rob

 

[thetyreman]

I might very well get this set at some point! they seem to be universally liked, damn it...must.stop.buying.tools :lol:

 

[Trevanion]

I might very well get this set at some point! they seem to be universally liked, damn it...must.stop.buying.tools :lol:

 

[Woodbloke]

I might very well get this set at some point! they seem to be universally liked, damn it...must.stop.buying.tools :lol:

You'll have to move very smartly if you want a set of these bad boys. Matt at WH had them in very briefly again for a few days and now they're gorn!
SWIMBO checks every morning to see if the last remaining sizes (1.5'' and the 1/8th") are in stock. Stoney ground thus far - Rob

 

[thetyreman]

I might very well get this set at some point! they seem to be universally liked, damn it...must.stop.buying.tools :lol:

You'll have to move very smartly if you want a set of these bad boys. Matt at WH had them in very briefly again for a few days and now they're gorn!
SWIMBO checks every morning to see if the last remaining sizes (1.5'' and the 1/8th") are in stock. Stoney ground thus far - Rob

the 5 piece set are back in stock, just ordered them

 

[Woodbloke]

the 5 piece set are back in stock, just ordered them

I saw that the other day. You won't be disappointed with them; easily one of best chisels I've come across and I've used a few - Rob

 

[thetyreman]

I just made some first cuts with them today and you're not wrong guys! incredible steel, very happy with them indeed.

 

[Chris101]

Ooooohhh. New site chisels from Workshop Heaven are out. (At least I've just seen them).
I have to say, I know I don't need them but they are awful purrty. Only post here because the narex steel. :lol:

https://www.workshopheaven.com/rosewood ... -of-6.html

 

[Trevanion]

Ooooohhh. New site chisels from Workshop Heaven are out. (At least I've just seen them).
I have to say, I know I don't need them but they are awful purrty. Only post here because the narex steel. :lol:

I've seen these before. They do look nice but I think the Rosewood lets them down as pretty as it is. He doesn't mention whether the Rosewood is from old stock that had been here for years or is illegally imported new stock, a very grey area.

Handles made from Ash, Beech or even Box would look great and wouldn't have all the ethical issues that go with endangered exotic timbers.

 

[Chris101]

I'd prefer to see ash on the handles too Dan. I fear I'm not the market for these chisels though. :|

 

[Woodbloke]

Ooooohhh. New site chisels from Workshop Heaven are out. (At least I've just seen them).
I have to say, I know I don't need them but they are awful purrty. Only post here because the narex steel. :lol:

https://www.workshopheaven.com/rosewood ... -of-6.html

The blades appear (from Matt's blurb) to be slightly modified Narex steel and they're not cryo treated as are the Richters. I think you pay the extra wonga for the Victorian 'London' pattern style handles and tbh, they're dead easy to turn. I've made them in English Walnut, Ebony and Pink Ivory which I've fitted to assorted odd chisels and gouges - Rob

 

[thetyreman]

originally I was going to get the rosewood ones but they were never in stock, WS heaven also make a satin wood version of the london pattern ones that looks nice, still happy with my richter set, they are amazing.

 

[Woodbloke]

originally I was going to get the rosewood ones but they were never in stock, WS heaven also make a satin wood version of the london pattern ones that looks nice, still happy with my richter set, they are amazing.

The 'London' pattern ones do look pretty, but I fancy the 'Richter's' are the better chisel. I'm still working my way through the 'cheesy' first mm of the blade, where the steel tends to be a little soft (in common with all Narex chisels) I'be been going through end grain Douglas Fir to cut dovetails and they didn't like that particular timber one little bit. As they were new, the edge was folding fairly rapidly and they needed pretty constant re-honing and stropping - Rob

 

[Chris101]

I know I keep posting about these. I'm not looking for any (honest!) but I stumbled across them on Peter Sefton's Shop. He has some in stock if anyone is still looking/waiting?
https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/collections/narex

 

[Woodbloke]

I know I keep posting about these. I'm not looking for any (honest!) but I stumbled across them on Peter Sefton's Shop. He has some in stock if anyone is still looking/waiting?
https://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/collections/narex

:text-bravo: Thanks for that; Peter must have had a recent delivery so I've ordered the 1.5" and 1/8" to complete the set. None in at CHT and WH; even better is that Peter's delivery is free over £40! - Rob

 

[Trevanion]

So a year has passed since I first got the chisels so I thought I'd do an update on what I think of them now.

In short, they're still excellent, and even with the fair amount of use they've had I've barely had to sharpen them at all as compared to other chisels I own. The tops of the handles have flattened off a fair amount compared to what they were when new, to help keep the tops supple and prevent any cracking I've recently doused them in some boiled linseed oil which I hope will help, but the nice thing with the ash handles is that I don't feel too precious about them compared to say rosewood or satinwood as it's a common domestic hardwood and I have more than enough offcuts laying about to make the set of handles twice over if it's ever needed. Some will despair, but I've had a couple of occasions where the chisels have gained small rust blemishes in the damp weather but nothing too serious that wasn't sorted out with a quick scrape with a stanley knife and some oil, it all adds character to the tools.

A set from Workshop Heaven is now £142 instead of the £136 I paid a year ago, so not much of a price increase all things considered and still well worth the investment in my opinion.