[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I went through this about 6 months or more ago, got lots of good advice and due to circumstances wasn't quite ready...now I am ready to buy some good quality bench chisels and have forgotten all that good advice ??? :P : But then.....I seem to forget a lot lately LOL. Anyway, have about boiled the list down to Ashley Illes, Henry Taylor Acorn brand, or Lamp brand.....ok troops, lets have it!! pros and cons, your experience with any or all....shoot, I can take it!! LOL (oh my list is based on what I think is quality plus naturally price...)

[squbrigg]

Well Hi Ho, for what it's worth, I find the Henry Taylors a bit brittle, though perhaps it was my sharpening angle, but the results remain the same. Ashley Illes would be my own choice, I have a new set of his mini carvers, for relief carving, and I find them exceptional! Love the handles, shaped perfectly for my kind of work. But then , they aren't bench chisels. But the steel is great, sharpens well and holds an edge beautifully. (Sharpens well, not quickly.)

Haven't tried Lamp brand, so can't offer a comment.

Good luck with them, what ever you buy.

Bob

Out of your selections, I have a few older Henry Taylor Acorn gouges. They are are joy to use, easy to sharpen, and hold an edge as well as any others I own. The handles also hold up well to a good beating with rubber mallets!

I have a complete set of older Marples that I really like, stole them on ebay for $26, the seller forgot the 'R' in the name some no one else bid on them

Being a true tool junky I've got a few of each ... If you're going with one of those brands the Ashley Illes would be my choice. If I could have anything I wanted I would get Stubai.

Let me expand on my last a bit - These are just my opinions with nothing other than personal experience to back them up.

The Henry Taylor's, although a good tool, are a little below the others in over all quality.
Have had a few problems with split handles on the Lamp brand tools. Suspect it is the design of the tang but not sure.
Of the three, the Ashley Illes have been the best.

The reason I like to Stubai's is the steel is excellent quality, seem to be the most vibration free, and have never had one of the horn beam handles split. (Just as an aside, I don't care for their knives, good steel, but the blade shapes and handles leave a bit to be desired)

I've got several other brands also, most of which fall between the Ashley Illes and Henry Taylors. to say I have no full sized Ramelson's at present. Have one on order, but hasn't arrived yet.

[AlArchie]

Personal opinion, Dave....Ashley Isles. They are well made, finished and sharp! They are quite heavy, though, almost loke turning tools. My Henry Taylors all needed work on the edges and are not finished very well (cosmetic)but I like them. They are light and 'swift'? I've had trouble with the Lamp brand's handles coming off...a bit of JB Weld fixed that problem. The tools themselves are comparable to Ashley Isles. I also have several Swiss Made that I really like. Think I'll try the larger FlexCuts next.

Anywhoo, I think the Ashley isles are far and away the better quality tools. They just have a good look and feel to them.

Al

[Colin_Partridge]

Dave,
For what it is worth I dont own a lot of Henry Taylor tools but the ones I have I like. My real preference and no one has mentioned them are Pheil Swiss tools to me they hold the best edge are a dream to sharpen and hone up in no time flat. The only problem with them that them is there are far too many profiles you would go broke trying to buy them all. I also like my flexcut but although they come razor sharp I find that they dull very easy, mind you they hone up in seconds. I have only one Ashley Isles someone gave it too me I like it just fine it is a V tool. I also havent tried Lamp brand havent seen them in Canada but again I have a calalog from the US and you would go broke again trying to own them all.
Colin

[Ric]

Like everyone else I have many different types. My favorite are Stubai. I also have many Lamp brand, and they make a very good tool. The lamp tools come coated to prevent rust, and hold an edge well. I have given my tools a beating and both these brands take the punishment well. I bought a set of Pheil years back and have broken the corners off on several occasions, but that may be because of my abuse of tools. Now a question for you.... How did you like the Carvinjack you bought? Was it worth the price to you? Good luck on your search for the best tool.
Ric

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I am sorry to say, I have not used the 'Carvin Jack'! I must be saving it for posterity! :P : I bought it to use on our 'Good Sam' trips in the motorhome so have been kind of saving it for that....not smart huh? Will tell you this, you have to be careful opening and closing the blades, the straight flat chisel blade wants to stay up just a tad when you close another blade on that side, just enough so you get the corner of it! ouch! I don't particularly care for the price, but have to admit, there is a lot there!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

As far as the chisels go, A lady on another chat forum sells Stubai and is working up a price on them....I keep hearing they are the best and would like to have them, but the price has been stopping me! If I cant live with the price, I guess I will get the Ashley Illes.