chisel profiles

[grunter53]

Hi

I was wondering if someone could give me advice on the profile of some second hand chisels I have purchased.

A number of them have in-cannel profiles. These are ex pattern-makers chisels and I was wondering if there is any use for them other than making round holes with carving. I don't want to re-bevel them to out-cannel gouges if they are any good as is.

Also, I purchased some Dastra chisels and the gouges have a rounded cutting edge a bit like a long finger nail. Is there any specific reason for this. I found it a quite difficult profile to carve with compared to the normal squared off profile.

Cheers

Grant

[doris]

hi grant, i cannot help with the in-channel profiles,,,but the question on the curved edge, that is answered in all detail with lots of images to clearify the arguments on my blog, the article in question being "curved edge=clean cuts"...

[grunter53]

Thankyou for the direction Doris. The information from the site you recommended was great.

I will post a couple of images of the chisels (in-cannel) that I am referring to tomorrow and get your opinion as to whether or not you reckon I should alter them.

The angled profile certainly makes sense to achieve nice clean stop-cuts. I will alter a couple of my smaller normal gouges and try it.

Cheers

Grant

[mark yundt]

I'm familiar with in-cannel gouges as I was given a set of chisels with many of these in it. For the range and styles of carvings I do I never found a need for them. Most tended to have long shafts more like a pattern makers set or could be called I guess firmer chisels. In this case there could be a use for them apparently,,but for general carving I found them useless as the bevel doesn't lend itself well to "traditional " carving needs. I reground them as I needed. But still , I generally don't use them very often. They are serviceable though. I do have, that are occasionally helpful, gouges sharpened for a reverse camber cut. They though tend to be unusual "spoon" shapes that are nice to use on as I said a reverse cut,,but here again,, there are other ways around this as well as that is a very specific cut not often encountered. Those chisels MIGHT get used once every several years even though I tend to carve quite a bit. They just gather dust.
As far as one shaped as you say a fingernai (sometimes called bullnose). Well I've seen this done on occasion, tried it myself ( I'll try anything once) and found little use for it. I like to think I can handle a chisel fairly well but this style ,,to me,, served no purpose as it tended to cause more problems than it solved. I felt it lacked control, direction,,accuracy etc. and seeing some carvings done with them it showed the same thing contrary to the carvers belief. What I feel are bad cuts. There are ways I believe to overcome any "benefit" this may have with much nicer results with tools that are more useful over a broader range. For the styles, types and range of carvings I do, one shaped like this has no home in my collection.
Just my thoughts.

[grunter53]

Thankyou Mark & Doris for your advice.

Being new to the carving game I did not want to wreck useful chisels through my lack of knowledge. You have confirmed what I thought, so I shall re-grind them to the conventional carving profiles.

I have attached a couple of pictures of these chisels for your interest.

Again, many thanks for your advice.

Cheers

Grant

[mark yundt]

Yup, exactly as I imagined! The first three look like possibly early Pfeil's with that handle shape. Nice tools. I like a bit of a curve to the edge, but these seem a bit exaggerated to me. Straighten them out a bit and they'll take on a new life.
The last three would do well if you reverse the bevel as you indicate. They are heavier tools, similar as I said to firming chisels..but with a new bevel will also go far in removing wood.

[grunter53]

Thanks Mark. Your advice is most appreciated. I will remodel the chisels as suggested.

Cheers

Grant