[Bartster]

i agree with rales you will not go wrong with the swiss made tools i have used alot of different makes of tools and always find myself going back to my pfiel tools so i have decided i will use them exclusively although i doo have a couple of stubias {another great tool} and one harmon but all others are swiss made.

a freind of mine uses nothing but the intermediate swiss tools he can do anything with them from the caricatures to the walking sticks and if he needs to use a mallet the 8 inch tools will handle the job if i had to do it over i would have bought the same set you are looking at rather than going thru all the others.
i do have a set of the 8 inch tools i have put together that i will use for some stuff or as backups when needed

in a nut shell you wont be disapointed with the swiss made i havent been and i dont think anyone on this board is disapointed with theirs
the wood-whittler

[Colin_Partridge]

I have to agree on the Pheil tools. I probably own far too many tools and far too many brands but thats only because I have a tool addiction. I have a lot of Flex cut and they are an ok tool but as far as I am have no comparison to the swiss made tools. I find the swiss tools do not break and chip easy and keep their edge far better. I have to agree if you are not sure contact Rick at "Little Shavers" you can not go wrong with Rick and he will not sell you anything you dont need or would not use himself. He is very honest and treat to deal with.
Colin

[lookingforyou]

ok. so man, my mind is in a flurry.. haha tools they can do that. swiss tools do seem to be in it for the long haul, and i see that they are the better choice, i guess for me, i really love the flexcut, only been carving for 4 months but feel a kinship to flexcut. haha. weird how that happens.

so theres seems to be agreement on not buying from ebay, but from a reputable dealer? such a good deal though

i think i may go for the swiss tools and buy the flexcut one by one, or if i somehow come upon some extra cash buy the set. 200 dollars is an excellent price for 10 nice chisels.

i plan on working mostly in basswood, until my skills are better and worthy of the investment in nicer wood. it would be nice to have the best of both worlds!..ok i am totally rambling, let me tell you the wifes eyes glaze over when i start talking like this.

anyhow, has this board thought about having a trading/selling post for people wanting to get rid of or trade tools, seems like a good idea, and seems like a great bunch of people here. I'm glad to be here.

well thanks evryone,and i would love any further contributions to this debate..sets/no sets..flexcut vs the mighty swiss..haha
thanks looking

[rales]

Just a few more thoughts on the Flexcuts... The flexcut mallets are quite a bit different from their palm and regular profiles - much heavier steel (they don't flex) larger handles and much larger size... I would consider them to be almost sculpture tools... meant to be used with a mallet only. I have several and use them for heavy roughout work - but the size is such that they are a little uncomfortable for hand use... I would recommend that you try to find a dealer in your area and least try them out before buying.

The Pfeil intermediates (Stubai and Two Cherries also make this size) are a great compromise...small enough for great hand use, but you can put a mallet to them when needed...

[finewoodcarver]

I have been using Dastra "screw brand" tools everyday for 6 years and would highly recommend them for any type of carving. The nice thing is that they sell a set of 16 that gives you a discount over buying each tool individually, but you can pick what tools you would like in the set. So you don't have to take a tool that you don't want just because it's in the "set"

www.dastrausa.com