I have some of both hammer and drop forged. Other than the hammer forged having square necks vs. drop forged round necks the only other visual clue is the ferrel. The hammer forged ferrel is defiantly brass on the drop forged chisels I'm not sure because it has a strange color and stays shinny with little or no aging.
A photo of the two styles. The top and bottom chisels are hammer forged with square necks, the middle two are later chisels with round necks.
At this time most of my chisels are the earlier hammer forged (three drop forged) and as I can find replacement chisels for the round neck ones I will hopefully end up with all early chisels.
What strange folks we tool collectors can be. The quality of both in use is about the same (maybe all my round neck ones are from the early years of drop forging) but I want all square necked chisels or at least a complete set. Then in use I will probably use both interchangeably.
ken
Hum, interesting, they are all firmer chisels, no bevel edges. How does the feel and balance compared to the ubiquitous Stanley 750? The 750 shown look like the newer production reintroduced as of late.
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteOne interesting note, well interesting if you don't have a life and are a tool geek, in the early Marple catalogs they break the chisel line down into three categories: Firmer, Pairing, and Mortise. The Firmer category is then listed as square edge or bevel edge. It appears what we call a bench chisel were called firmer chisels back in the day.
The difference in feel is slight but if you A&B you notice it. The biggest is the larger "flat" for your thumb gives better control when pairing and of course I get fewer cuts to the side of my left index finger. The chisel also feels better balanced but that could just be because I like the look and feel of a firmer vs. beveled edge.
Good eye...Yep the newer production ones. They are my go to chopping chisels because the Hornbeam handles are almost as indestructible as plastic ones and same story with the socket vs. tangs. The iron takes an OK edge and also stands up to abuse. Not my favorite chisel for general work because of "feel" but for chopping about as good as you will find.
ken
Good luck with your surgery tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteThanks....I'm actually looking forward to it. Weird I know but from looking at the MRI the problem is fixable and it will be nice to be pain free....Now i may have to find another excuse for being lazy. MsBubba has little truck with just sitting.
ken
Hey Ken, are you still looking for a 5/8" Marples chisel? I have a spare one if you want it. its a bevel edge with boxwood handle. Its new old stock. Let me know and I can take some PICs of it if you want.
ReplyDeleteP.S. hope your surgery went well. -Bob B
Bob,
ReplyDeleteYep I am, I want a firmer but a bevel edge will fill in the gap and be one less needed for the bevel edge collection I have two questions; does it have a round neck or a flat one and any pitting on the back. Almost anything else can be worked around.
If it isn't too much trouble send a few photos to kmhatch@earthlink.net. I seldom check the gmail account.
Thanks, it did.
ken