[Chizeler]

I'm looking to get a set of chisels and wanted some input. I am looking at the 8 piece set by Stubai. It is a little expensive and I wanted to know if there is a cheaper alternative.

Thanks

[Donna_T]

Hi Chizeler,
Well, it depends on what you want to do with them. FIrst, you might find some cheaper tools, but you won't find any that are better than Stubi.

That said, however, if you want to do small stuff--hand held carvings--you can get palm tools in a reasonably good brand for considerably less. Your question also begs another question...why are you getting a set? Are you sure you want everything that's in the set? Would you be better off just buying the ones you know you want? I've never bought a set of anything that I used more than half of them most of the time. On the other hand, if you know that each of them is the size and shape you want, it will be a good investment that you won't be disappointed in over time.

Donna T

hi chizeler and Donna,

I agree with Donna on the quality of Stubai. I also agree with her line of thought... BUT (is there not one in every crowd?) : remember back when you were just starting Donna? So many choices and you didn't know what you needed? I think for a beginer there is an argument to be made for sets. Perhaps there will be some tools rarely used but they should give him the tools to do a variety of work. I said rarely and Donna said 'I've never bought a set of anything that I used more than half of them most of the time.' That said, a good quality tool used rarely or less than 'most of the time' that is just right for the cut to be made is never wasted, rather an investment in the future. And that said... a set after the first might well have duplicates and it's time to start buying as the need arises. And after all that: there are several quality tool brands out there and a few not. buy the quality! they cost more initially but really will last for generations. get to carving!

Dave

[Chizeler]

Thanks, I do agree with your thought on the sets but as Dave said I'm not really sure what I need. The books I have when put together would have me buying 30 different chisels so I looked at the Marv Kaiseratt set which should get me started, then I can figure out what I need as I move on. I have decided not to go cheaper as I'll just be buying again.

Reading between the lines of your post, I'm assuming the 8 piece Stubai set you're referring to is the caricature set. If so, and you're planning on doing hand held carvings, it is an excellent choice. The set make up was selected by Marv Kaisersatt, one of todays premier caricature carvers. There's nothing there that you won't use.

One thing to watch for when looking at other sets is check the price of the individual tools against the price of the set. Several of the sets on the market have two gouges, a v-tool, and two or three chisels for the same price (sometimes a little less) than just the same gouges and the v-tool bought individually. Your getting the chisels for free. You may or may not use them, but free is free.

[Chizeler]

Plain_Ol_Ed that is the set I'm looking at and thanks for the reassurance, cause thats the one I'm going to order.

Thanks for all the input

[BobD]

I actually go to spend some time talking with Marv this weekend at the ICC in Canada and he is a great guy. He knows so much. I sat in on a class on designing a caricacture head...WOW

Bob

Couple more thoughts on the Stubai caricature set -
Your going to need to sharpen them, actually adjust the bevels to your liking a bit, not hard, and a lot of room for practice as the tools are full length tempered (unlike one popular brand which is only tip tempered).
The three deep veiners, due to their design are acutally more tools than three. Due to Stubai's design they can be used:
- In the normal manner as veiners
- Tipped on their side as shallow gouges
- Perfectly upright and turned they make excellent drills. You can
actually drill a hole all the way to the handle.
so those three tools actually come out to 9.

I don't think you'll be disappointed, I own well over a hundred tools by various mftrs and my two favorites are Stubai and Denny. Actually, I like the Millers Falls an awful lot, but they are not made anymore and they were only available in limited sweeps.

[mikeg]

OK Ed,

I've got to know, who's only tempering their tips? I figure that's good information to have.

mikeg

You're asking me to stir up a bucket of worms, kinda like bringing up what rifle is best in a deer camp. But, you asked ... FlexCut.