Lie-Nielsen Mortise Chisels

[PostalTom]

I am considering purchasing some mortise chisels.  My two companies to choose from are Blue Spruce Toolworks, and Lie-Nielsen.  I can see from the product page on Blue Spruce that their chisels have a full metal tang, and are currently on sale, with the sale to end March 18.  Do the Lie-Nielsen also have a full tang?  Their product page doesn't show one way or the other, and the description also doesn't say.  Disregarding price, which brand would you choose?

[Grandpadave52]

Can't answer your question Tom but another option you might consider? Looks like this is the last full set like this he has in stock.

Disclaimer: I have no association with Taytools or Narex. Good price, both good companies.

 

https://taytools.com/products/narex-6-piece-mortise-chisel-set?_pos=5&_sid=c8b6fc39d&_ss=r

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

I have one Blue Spruce chisel, a 3/4" paring chisel. It is about as well made as things can be and holds an edge forever. But I did buy it before Blue Spruce sold out to Woodpeckers. I can't imagine the quality has diminished any, but it's something to know. That said, LN tools can hardly be called sub par....but you could call and ask about the tang. Even so I'd probably go with Blue Spruce, their stuff is really nice.

Edited March 13, 2024 by Fred W. Hargis Jr

[John Morris]

Hey Tom. I know you are looking for some opinions on the two brands LN and BST. Looks like you narrowed down your choices and that's great. I love LN, have a few of their planes and hand saws, a great American tool company.

If I may introduce you to (if you haven't already found them) the Ray Iles mortising chisels also known as Pig Stickers. They are old style English mortising chisels. They are not pretty like the more refined brands, they are made in the old way on a limited run usually, and made in Lincolnshire England.

 

I have a the 3/8" and the 1/4" and plan on completing the set someday, but I do love them, they fill up my hand, they feel completely durable, and if you read the specs you'll see why they work wonderful.

Here are a couple images of my Ray Iles 1/4" in action.

 

 

 

While I look at the LN and BST choices, I see the LN handles are a bit skinny, if you plan on chopping mortises, many, or even a few in a run, those skinny handles may start to feel pretty uncomfortable, and the BST chisels, for me there are too many parts, in my opinion a mortise chisel should have two parts, the one piece steel, and a handle. Nothing more that those two pieces in between your strike and the material.

 

I know we all like to trumpet our own tools sometimes, because we have invested our money and sometimes emotions in to those tools, but I believe I am being unbiased here and saying these chisels are pretty awesome. Nothing fancy, workhorses, made old school, and made for work.

If you are interested here is a link to the place you can purchase from.

English Mortise Chisels by Ray Iles

TOOLSFORWORKINGWOOD.COM

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We've wanted to sell real English mortise chisels since Tools for Working Wood began. The challenge, of course, was to make a tool as good or...

 

These tools are preferred by hand tool users, Peter Follansbee, the folks at Mortise and Tenon Magazine, Paul Sellers, etc etc.

 

Here is a review by Peter.

new mortise chisel | PETER FOLLANSBEE: JOINER’S NOTES

PFOLLANSBEE.WORDPRESS.COM

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 The work I do requires lots of mortises each year. A chest like this has 26 mortises, a joined stool 16. They are almost all 5/16” wide. For...

 

Feel free to pump me full of questions Tom, I can take close up images of my chisels if you'd like or whatever, but whatever you choose, it'll be the right choice for you.

[steven newman]

Hmmm...

My Motley Crew...

[Gerald]

I think I have the same 3 Narex that Steven has and they performed very well for me and razor sharp , plus easily resharpened.

[PostalTom]

I decided to purchase Blue Spruce Tools 3-piece set.  One of the factors in my decision was that I prefer to buy within the US if possible.  I would rather support our economy than another country's.  Also, the BST chisels have the full tang I was wanting, even if it is assembled from 4 separate pieces.  The LN did not appear to have that.  Plus, the BST tools are so darn pretty.  I know, say what you want, and no offense taken, but I like tools that I will be proud to pass on when I pass on.  So that's my decision.  I appreciate all the comments I received, and I did consider them all.  Thanks.

[John Morris]

13 minutes ago, PostalTom said:

I decided to purchase Blue Spruce Tools 3-piece set.  One of the factors in my decision was that I prefer to buy within the US if possible.  I would rather support our economy than another country's.  Also, the BST chisels have the full tang I was wanting, even if it is assembled from 4 separate pieces.  The LN did not appear to have that.  Plus, the BST tools are so darn pretty.  I know, say what you want, and no offense taken, but I like tools that I will be proud to pass on when I pass on.  So that's my decision.  I appreciate all the comments I received, and I did consider them all.  Thanks.

Tom when you pass on from this dear earth of ours, whoever reads your will and sees those BST chisels are going to them, will be right proud and know how much you loved that person! Congratulations Tom! Any of the tools you researched will last a lifetime or two, I don't think you could go wrong with them.

Now, the big follow up! Please let us know how you like those chisels after you bang a few mortises out with them, a nice good ol fashioned tool review would be wonderful to add to our community.

I've been following your hand tool journey over the last few years, and you've been adding to your collection high quality heirloom tools that perform high, this recent addition is no exception.

[steven newman]

I don't mind, as I don't have anyone to pass my tools onto....I'm the last of the woodworkers in my family....most will go to a yard/estate sale, anyway....

[HARO50]

1 hour ago, steven newman said:

I don't mind, as I don't have anyone to pass my tools onto....I'm the last of the woodworkers in my family....most will go to a yard/estate sale, anyway....

Same here.

[StaticLV2]

Like @steven newman I have a bunch of stuff,  mostly Narex.  They work fine just gotta keep em sharp