[nadcarves]

You mentioned Stubi Chisels...Why is it that they will not break under the same circumstances?????

[Mitchell]

It's not the same circumstances....the angles are different (according to the post). In summary: The lower angles don't allow for enough strength on denser woods with mallets.

[Capt. Bandaid]

I cannot imagine regrinding the edges on my tools so I can carve harder or softer wood. I think if you carve both basswood and oak, you need tools made specifically for each type. Regrinding will only eat up your tools fast! English made tools seem to be ground for hardwoods and German/Swiss seem to be ground for softwoods. I have a set of Robert Sorby tools, which I rarely use, for harder woods and my pfeils for basswood. I prefer the pfeils but the Sorby tools are just as well made, just a thicker edge.

[brent]

I started out with Swiss and Henry Taylor. I also have Lamp and Stubai.
The HT needed honing. The Lamp and Stubai both needed work done to the edges.
Like with most things, it all boils down to preference.
Funny thing though, when I called Woodcraft years ago, to replace a broken v tool, the CSR did not offer to replace it free.
Oh well.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

[Capt. Bandaid]

When I bought my first set of 6 Robert Sorby Mallet tools, they were not honed like my pfeil tools nor did they have the shallow angle edge bevel. They cut like they were really dull. In fact, the vee tool was not able to cut across the grain of soft wood without tearing the wood fiblers. I sent an email of complaint to the factory in England and promptly received a NEW vee tool, properly honed, and a 10mm spoon gouge as an apology for the error. Of course, I have since learned that most tools need to be sharpened before use. The Sorby people probably knew what the problem was but opted to do the generous thing anyway. I have held Sorby in very high regard ever since.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I have an assortment of tool brands. All depends on what you're carving. I do a lot of carving in Texas Live Oak. I wouldn't dare use one of my Pfiel's on it. Basswood is a whole different story.

[Capt. Bandaid]

Ed, my carry knife is your item 03426; amber bone, jigged barbed wire, scrolled bolsters Sea Horse. Only 250 made, huh? Maybe I should not have sharpened it. Oh, well. It's a pretty knife.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

If it's any consolation, 250 is no a really small number for Seahorse whittlers. They are awfully pretty though.

[Capt. Bandaid]

Well, that's good because I have no plans to retire it. I will eventually rotate it into semi-retirement and carry one of my other knives for a while. But the Seahorse is a favorite of mine even if it is not a great whittler. I have a lot of other knives for that. In fact, I forged one today. Gonna put an oak Gerald Sears type handle on it.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey Capt...take a look at Jan Oegema's two handed knives he uses and sells lol....humongous!