Narex Chisels

[stuartg]

As some of you know I've been working on my first build (Tip Curtis 40 cal Lancaster), and have about had it with my main chisel - a cheap 1/4 Kobalt from Lowes. The darn thing dulls extremely quickly! Anywho, I decided to do a little research, and found some very affordable chisels from Narex that got good reviews on holding their edge. I ordered up a couple to give them a try. They run about $7 a piece...not too shabby.

Has anyone used these before? I guess I should have asked this before I bought them

 

[don hepler]

Might I ask, why the chisel is needed on a Tip Curtis, rifle ? All I needed was sandpaper, steel wool, and file.

I think quality wood working tools, like those at Wood Crafters are $30 to $60 dollars each (OUCH). I looked at them yesterday. You could have shaved with one of those things. Complete sets where a little better price, but still $90 to $190 per set. I doubt a $7 dollar Kobalt is going to come close to these.

 

[stuartg]

I needed the chisel to inlet the tang and bolster, trigger, and parts of the butt plate - even the lock had a good bit to do. When I ordered the kit from Tip I asked that he not do too much of the work, as I was trying to learn on this build. I can't imagine any kit not needing, at least, a 1/4 chisel. Did you order it in the white or something?

 

[jamesthomas]

Might I ask, why the chisel is needed on a Tip Curtis, rifle ? All I needed was sandpaper, steel wool, and file

Because it is a Kit, he has to inlet the lock, tang, triggers and get the barrel seated in the right spot etc, etc. You may have had a rifle that was "in the white". Stuart you beat me to it.

 

[don hepler]

Okay, I got it. My rifle was in the "white". I could have taken it out and shot it as "is". I got mine, from Tip, at Dixon's gun fair. I guess, I thought all his rifles, where like that.

Well, if I were getting into that part of building, I would definitely look at the sets from Wood Crafters.

 

[kaintuck]

go over to Lee Valley tool.....you can buy chisels, then there are CHISELS....some of those Japanese are very pricey....super nice tho!

you always need to buy the best rasps and files you can afford~they will last longer the more expensive they are.....

then there's the one you drop onto the concrete shop floor :shake:

tools.....I build rifles because I have tools...then i want to buy MORE tools because i love building rifles.... :youcrazy:

 

[Lock Nut]

The swiss made Pfeil chisels at woodcraft are nice but ridiculously priced. ( as a matter of fact so is every thing else in that place)
Unless you can afford stuff like that, it's cheaper just to keep a sharpening stone on the bench :wink:

 

[necchi]

Your right, it's a dickens.
Either way you have to learn to sharpen the tools, it's just with the inexpensive ones you have to sharpen much-much more frequently.
The nice ones are $40-50+ each,,

 

[stuartg]

Yeah, I have seen the CHISELS, and you're right they are pricey. Since it seems that no one has tried Narex, I'll be sure to post my experience with them.

 

[Birddog6]

Mine are older Craftsman & Stanley chisels. Sharpening them correctly is most...important.
Check the flea markets if you want some old ones. I don't know about new brands as never have
needed new ones in many years. The old ones hold up pretty good.

Keith Lisle

 

[don hepler]

I'm sure you're right. I did see other lower priced chisels, but I have to agree Wood Crafter are high priced and I guess top quality products also. As a machinist, I was always a sucker for quality looking tools. If I built from scratch I'd probably have to have a set.

 

[flinter40]

I had a similar need a couple of years ago for a couple of inexpensive chisels to do a restock of a CVA from a blank. I found similar good reviews of the Narex brand chisels from an online woodworking supply house. I believe they are actually marketed metric but the equivalent size of a 1/4" and 3/8" chisel are what I purchased. I don't have much to compare them to, but I thought they took a very good edge and kept it well. I was/am pleased with the purchase.

 

[stuartg]

Just thought I'd follow up on the Narex chisels. I bought three bench chisels for inletting locks, tangs, triggers, etc. I finally got to use them tonight and wow, they are soooo much better than my chisel from Lowes. They hold an edge very well, and I find them comfortable to use. I highly recommend them for anyone starting out or simply in need of another chisel or two. Oh and did I mention they were only $7 a piece?

 

[kaintuck]

ANOTHER sin Leevalley will have me commit...... :haha:

I want more tools than is allowed by my pocketbook boss.... :surrender:

 

[stuartg]

I hear ya! I'm in need of a drill press...harder conversation to have with the wife than some $7 chisels.

 

[MarTay6]

You generally get exactly what you pay for. Especially in tools. A chisel like you find at Lowes is pretty much the bottom of the barrel. I am an avid fan of Woodcrafters- If I ever hit the lottery, I'd have one of everything, please- or just buy the store! :grin:
That being said, since I hadn't heard of Narex chisels in particular, I googled them- and quickly found this review from Highland Hardware- a very fine quality store, known for stocking the best tools- like Woodcraft. They were reviewed by Fine Woodworking magazine- and came out on top in a test of 23 brands as "Best Value".
Narex Chisel Review
Made in Czechslovakia, btw. Same place as my very fine CZ guns!
Also suggest jigs of some sort for sharpening chisels/Japanese water stones. If you've never used one, you're in for a real treat. So much nicer than oil stones. Jigs changed my world when it came to sharpening!
Wes