[woodtrapper]

I have been searching for a set of 4-6 mallet chisels.My price range is $200.I am leaning towards flexcut because I have a palm set.For some of you that like to do larger projects, any input would be deeply appreciated.I also have 6 eight inch stubai chisels but the are not mallet chisels but I do like stubai.

[wade clark]

Woodtrapper, for around $200 you should be able to buy 6 of any brand. I love Ashley Iles, but I've heard nothing but good about Stubai and a few others. If you buy quality you won't be disappointed. The Flexcut are good tools too, just different. It would be great to get to try all of them side by side, hu!
Wade

[grampabatball]

Hi Woodtrapper, I love my Stubai's and you could buy 4-6 of the big one's for close to your $. I also agree with Wade that Ashley Iles are great. I personally feel that the flexcut's aren't in the same league. Just a personal thing I guess. However if you're buying tools that you will have the rest of your life get the best. Good luck. Mike

[heineda]

woodtrapper,

Stubai full size tools are the highest quality tools you can buy. I would avoid the Flexcut mallet tools lik the plague. I bought a couple on ebay, and hated them. Stubai has a 5 peice starter set for $127.96 here:
http://www.woodcarverswarehouse.com/...534a0c1214de01

They also offer a nice relief carving package for just a few dollars over your budgeted amount:
http://www.woodcarverswarehouse.com/...534a0c1214de01
I would suggest the 5 peice set, work with them a while, and add to them as you find the need. These are 5 tools you will use on almost every carving, not 2 gouges, chisel, skew and vtool like a lot of the sets.
Just to add more fuel to the fire, the Whillock family, that owns the Stubai distribution in the USA are about the finest group of people I've ever dealt with.

Carving,
Dan Heine

[BobD]

You really can't go wrong with any of the major manufacturers (Ashley Iles, Pfiel, Stubai, Two Cherries, Henry Taylor, or Flexcut). I've used them all, and each has their place.

If you look at Chris Pye's workshop, you'll see a variety of tools by a variety of manufacturers. Try them all and see what works for you.

For heavy mallet work, I love my Ashley Iles. They are thicker than some of the other manufacturers, which makes me more comfortable when I'm banging away on them. But when you get into the intermediate size, they are comparable with the others. Joel at Tools For Working Wood in NYC is also a great person to deal with! He turned me on to the Hooked Skew, which is, hands down, the first tool I reach for. I've only got the palm version now, but I'm going to be getting the mallet version soon.

One word of caution about Henry Taylors; they come with a rough edge. The manufacturer expects you to shape it to your preference. Nothing wrong with that, but just be aware of it!

And I know Woodcraft has been running specials on Pfiel tools, so they are more economical. Many professional carvers I work with (Fred Wilbur, Mark Yundt, Mark Gargac) all use predominatly Pfiel (or Swiss made) tools. I'm sure Mark will chime in on his own!

I know several carvers have Flexcut, but I've never tried the mallet tools. I love their tools that fit into a reciprocating tool, but that is really the extent of my experience with them. Colin Partridge had several, and really likes them. He uses them interchangably with his Pfiel tools.

I'd suggest getting one or two tools from a variety of manufacturers and see which you like best!

Chris Pye suggests that you start with a few tools and buy more as you need them. I know Joel has set up a set based on those reccomendations, and the Stubai set is also very close to that.

Bob

[woodtrapper]

what about two cherries,acorn and lamp brands.I've been looking at the ashleys and I am impressed.I just want something that will take a good thump once in a while.Thanks for the advice everyone.Bob, I do have the tools for working wood cat. and a has a great selection of carving tools and I will probably buy from them.

[BobD]

I haven't tried Lamp or Acorn, but I've tried a few two cherries. They are as good as the other brand name chisels I've used.

Bob