Bench Chisel Handles
We can supply chisel handles for you to fit and we also offer a handle make-and-fit service. Occasionally we can also repair, or slightly shorten, classic handles such as those on E.A. Berg chisels which have handles which contribute greatly to both their sentimental and market value. Note that if you buy tang style handles to fit yourself, we make these handles with a centered, smaller than final hole for an average tang thickness and length. This is because there is nothing approaching a standard for chisel tangs. We also supply socket style handles are also supplied oversize as there is no standard socket dimension.
R.A. Salaman, in probably the best single resource and indispensable text for lovers of tools, "Dictionary Of Wodworking Tools", lists tools used by in excess of 80 wood trades, from Ships' Block maker to Coffin Builder. It is inconceivable that chisels were absent from the tool kits of any one of these trades and, as a consequence, there have been over time an wide variety of designs and patterns. There is an range of chisel styles and patterns on the second hand market however the situation on the new tool market today is not, unfortunately, as blessed with variety. You will see a concentration on the bevel edge, incorrectly called 'firmer' pattern, virtually no socketed styles, few companies offering true firmer blades (rectangular in side to side section), surprisingly few butts, a few sizes of mortice chisel, (rectangular in top to bottom section), and a paucity of bench gouges, either in-cannel (scribing) with an inside flute grind or out-cannel, with an outside flute grind.
The majority of reputable western makers of chisels, (although there are exceptions - SEE HERE), have in recent times moved their manufacturing base to the rapidly emerging economies of East and South Asia. In some cases the resulting products are then part assembled or the final packaging is done in the West and the tools are then able, under what are surely less than ideal consumer advice regulations, passed off as say Swedish or American or British Made.
These developments, coupled with the flood of chisels with very average steel quality - albeit more honestly marketed with unrecognisable branding - sourced from the emerging economies of East and South Asia, have spawned a very active market in second hand chisels. In this market there are clearly many more chisel blades about than complete chisels and here is where we are able to help with replacement handles, commonly the most problematic part of keeping a chisel in use.
A footnote perhaps to the skepticism expressed above about quality is that it is quite possible to find poorly made and poorly hardened Western chisels and, if the trends continue in the migration of manufacturing, there will surely be quality chisels made in the East sooner or later. It will however in my view have to await the day when Made In China no longer carries an automatic assumption that it means the bottom end of the market in quality.
Finally it should also be pointed out that none of the above comments apply to the middle to high end Japanese market in chisels which are in a class all by themselves although, even here, there are rip offs and cheaper copies becoming available.
Hoops & Ferrules
We don't fit anything other than generously proportioned solid brass fittings to the handles we make. We also use very dry handle stock and we take great care in the fitting of hoops to avoid as far as possible the dreaded loose-hoop problem due to wood shrinkage. Pinned hoops can be specified as per Berg styles, please email for this option.
Leather heeled paring styles (see Salaman's sketch below) can be specified.
We are often able to re-use the distinctive milled ferrules and steel Berg hoops even if fitted with pins. Please discuss this when emailing.
Woods & Finishes
We will by default use either an appropriate acacia or eucalypt species for striking styles and, by email negotiation, can offer a wide range of attractive species for paring styles including Australian desert acacias such as Gidgee and Myall . (Unfortunately we cannot source either the birch, root burl stock of classic Bergs or genuine boxwood and importing wood into Australia is difficult because of quarantine regulations).
We can supply handles with most finishes - lacquer (which is easily removable), synthetic Tung, Pure tung oil, polyurethane and, of course, no finish at all.
Socket Styles
The decline in socket styles available on the new tools market, (with the notable exception of many Japanese makes - which often actually have a combined socket and tang), is due in part to the lack of any standard as tapers are only approximately similar among manufacturers. Our socket styles will also therefore require you to do some work in the fitting. The other notorious problem with socket styles is that they work loose due to seasonal movements in the wood of the handle. Despite this they are, in many users view, highly agreeable on the eye, so please don't give up on them.
Warranty
Unfortunately, other than for the fitness-for-purpose requirement at supply, we cannot warrant the chisel handles we supply for fitting by customers as this is a relatively skilled operation with a risk of splitting during fitting.
The Ultimate?
If you have the budget we can supply in sets of 6, 8 or 12 (or any combination to order) re-handled Stubai "Spezial" alloy blades with 18 size options between 2 and 40mm fitted with London Pattern octagonal handles in heirloom quality woods - typically Mulga or Gidgee or Myall - and heavy duty brass fittings. This option can include leather shock washers or leather paring heels.
This deals out any compromise by delivering you the best blades (Stubai), the best handle design ("London" Octagonal), the best and most exclusive woods (desert Acacias), heavy brass fittings and all professionally hand made with options including shock washers and leather heel caps.
Please email for quotes and delivery timing. Please also be seated when seeing pricing.
Chisel Nomenclature
Salaman's view of the parts of a chisel is as follows
We offer handles with either ROUND or OCTAGONAL section, in either HOOPED or PARING STYLES, for either TANG or SOCKET style blades. Leather shock washers can be specified where appropriate. We can often re-use ferrules with the unique milling pattern from renowned makers a such Anton Berg and, if you have enough of the busted old handle to lift a copy off, you may want to supply that for us to match if you are sending chisels to be re-handled.
Round Patterns
| S0470 | Handle, Chisel, ROUND Section, For TANG Blade, FERRULE & HOOP, #160010 |
| S0471 | Handle, Chisel, ROUND Section, For TANG Blade, PARING & FERRULE, #160015 |
| S0482 | Handle, Chisel, ROUND Section, For SOCKET Blade, HOOP, #160020 |
| S0483 | Handle, Chisel, ROUND Section, For SOCKET Blade, PARING, #160025 |
Octagonal Patterns
Octagonal section handles offer the benefit of not rolling about on the bench when put down and have an improved feel.
Paring handles have no hoop and are intended for only light mallet work. They are usually pushed by hand.
| S0476 | Handle, Chisel, OCTAGONAL Section, For TANG Blade, FERRULE & HOOP, #180010 |
| S0477 | Handle, Chisel, OCTAGONAL Section, For TANG Blade, PARING & FERRULE, #180015 |
| S0486 | Handle, Chisel, OCTAGONAL Section, For SOCKET Blade, HOOP, #180020 |
| S0487 | Handle, Chisel, OCTAGONAL Section, For SOCKET Blade, PARING, #180025 |
Other Chisel Styles
Please email your requirements for handles for your other chisels. We also make handles for a wide variety of other tools and "appliances" as varied as the handles on bow saws through to those on favourite kitchen & garden tools.