Comments on: Stanley's New 750 Chisels Have Landed

By: Craig

Craig — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 22:14:00 +0000

Chris,
Do you know when the Stanley 750′s should be in stores? You mentioned inconsistencies in the side bevels. Do you know if Stanley is doing anything to make them more consistent? Are side bevels that range up to 1/16(that we know of from the set you recieved) what they’re settling on for their premium chisels? From what I’ve heard, they made changes to improve the Sweetheart planes. Why not get it right the first time and prove they are serious about going after the PROFESSIONAL woodworking world. The only thing they have proven so far is that they are going after hobbyists at best.
Thanks,
CRC

By: Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:46:53 +0000

I don’t have a wide range of comparison points. I have a few LN chisels in A2 and O1, as well as an old Stanley #720. The #720 came on account of Mr. Schwarz’s recommendation for 1. a 1 1/2" paring chisel, and 2. vintage tools. (Although the his suggestions were Buck, Swan or Witherby, Walt didn’t have a good summer for chisels)

At the end of the day, given the relative importance and prominence of the chisel in handwork, I don’t see that a nominal price difference outweighs the quality of the product. The amount of time it takes to flatten and sharpen a chisel is worth much more to me than an extra $20 for a brand new premium chisel (whether LN, Blue Spruce, et al) that’s nearly ready to go out of the packaging.

Woodworking’s my hobby, and I’d rather spend my precious few moments actually doing my hobby versus fettling irons and chisels.

By: Kurt Schmitz

Kurt Schmitz — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:17:27 +0000

I wish Stanley would resurrect the #40 Everlasting line -eBay prices for long, bevel-edged examples are really crazy. And if any portion of the Stanley facility in New Britain were not being used to manage international resources, maybe make them here in the US? Okay, dream sequence over…

By: Greg M

Greg M — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:55:43 +0000

Bob, Stanley’s previous press releases have stated that these chisels (the steel portion, anyway) is make in UK. The rest (handles, leather tool rolls, packaging) is probably from "international sources". No portion of them is advertised as being made in the US.

To everyone – healthy debate is one of the things I love about America! Some of you are pretty passionate about supporting local manufacturers, others are looking for value, still others (although probably not on this forum) simply want the lowest price possible. Don’t you just love diversity?. The bottom line is that more choices benefits us as woodworkers and consumers. So let each one vote with their conscience, and the principles of free enterprise will work themselves out.

By: Lawrence Richards

Lawrence Richards — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:27:42 +0000

Thank you for the update on these chisels– I’m sure there are more than a few of us here that have been waiting on updates before making chisel choices (the hinted at in forums Lee Valley Veritas chisels are the others I am waiting on before deciding) I also appreciate the detail you go into when comparing them to similar brands.

I’m curious if the chisels are "off the shelf" or were sent to Pop WW’ing by Stanley? If they are off the shelf I’d love to know where they could be examined. (if it is a bricks and mortar establishment)

Thanks in advance for your response and thank you for all you and the others at PWW do to keep us in the loop between magazines– it truly sets you apart from many other mags and is one of the reasons I keep my subscripton going.

Lawrence Richards

By: frank arcidiacona

frank arcidiacona — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:00:29 +0000

hello
I have some older stanley chisels, the steel is not bad.
They hold a secondary bevel after mallot strikes. Also have narex mortise chisels,they are very good for the money.
frank.a

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:43:50 +0000

This question is out of the ordinary, but packing the chisels in the tool roll with handles in the pockets and the blades out, wouldn’t that lead to dull edges when you roll it up? I figure put the blade in first so it’s fully enclosed by the leather and so it won’t bang against another edge when rolled. Am I missing something? Paul

By: Niels

Niels — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:17:49 +0000

Chris,
Thanks for the update- can’t wait for the review in-use. how do like the LN O1′s for paring? I was thinking about getting a couple. I don’t think there is a thing as too many chisels.
Cheers,
Niels

Brutus,
Way to keep it classy. Glad you came out from under the bridge to take a quick anonymous stab in the back. By the way the "cl" in classy is silent.

By: Brutus

Brutus — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:54:25 +0000

Lie Nielsen is made by a bunch of hippy Mainites who don’t consider themselves Americans anyway.

By: Socrates

Socrates — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:18:30 +0000

I can only assume that these chisels will not carry a premium price tag and will therefore have their place in the market. For some of us they may even be a second set for some of the rougher jobs in our workshop.
But Chris, if you truly want the best chisels money can buy, you need to contact Trent Powrie from Harold and Saxon Chisels in Australia. Go to http://www.haroldandsaxon.com and have a look. Trent uses exotic metals such as D2 steel and a range of Timbers for the handles. Much much better than your Lie Nielsen I beleive.
BTW, I have no association or interest in Harold and Saxon, I’m just over the moon with their chisels.