Narex Right & Left 6 mm 1/4" Skew Paring Chisels 811106/811156

These are quality tools. Packaged well and shipped quickly. a+

These are great chisels for cleaning out the tight inside edges of dovetails. Unfortunately the set I received were obviously used. The cutting edges were no longer existent and the ends of the handles had obvious marks from being struck with a hammer. It looked like they were used to chip concrete.It's very disappointing that the seller didn't bother to look at the items before accepting them back as a return and sending them back out to another customer. This will be my last purchase from this seller.

I needed some small skew chisels for carving and joinery. I have some other Narex carving chisels and a set of Narex bench chisels, so I thought these would be a great addition. I've really come to love the Narex chisels. They are affordable, sturdy, easy to sharpen, and keep their edge well. For me, they are the sweet spot between premium, pricey chisels and lower cost chisels that don't do the job. I highly recommend these chisels!

PROS:A big plus for hand-cut dovetail joinery.Blade length is just right.Chisel can be used with one, or two hands for precise control while paring, and getting in to close corners.Easy to hone and strop to obtain a keenly sharp edge.CONS:1. Handles are round---NO flats to prevent the tools from rolling off a workbench--- if it rolls off the table and lands on a hard floor, the cutting edge(s) and point will get damage.Corrective Action:I machined the handles to obtain flats on top and bottom of the handle, making an oblong handle shape---flats aligned in the same plane as the chisel blade.Now, these chisels will not roll off the table. They stay put when I lay them down.I also machined the handle up to the bass cap, so as to provide a thumb rest while push cutting---Results in improved control.2. Cutting edges were not keenly sharp, as I need them.Corrective Action:I honed and stropped the cutting edges, to obtain in a "scary sharp" edge.Very easy to hone with appropriate honing guides and stones--- (I use the Veritas Honing Guide System---the BEST I've found on todays market).After obtaining a scary sharp edge, these chisels performed very well---was able to make very thin and hair-like shavings.Great value for the price! , and, about half the price of other similar chisels.3. As received, the skew angle was 35 degress on one chisel.Corrective Action:I resharpened the 35 degree chisel to obtain a 30 degree, so they both match.NOTE: I added an additional feature to the handles---add "hockey stick handle rope taping"--- which results an improved grip on the handles---NO slippage or twisting--- better control when chiseling.4. NOTE: the chisel tip is provided with a plastic protector--- BUT, is only suitable for hanging on a peg for display.Corrective Action:I made my own cutting edge protector guard, so the cutting edge and tip doesn't get damaged while on the bench or when stored, in my chisel storage tool drawer.

I got these for some future dovetailing on drawer boxes. I haven't used them for any actual work yet, but I have tested them on scrap thoroughly.They were very sharp out of the box, but I decided to flatten them anyway. Took about an hour for both, in about a 70/30 split, as one had a large hollow that took some time to work out. The machining marks in the steel make it easy to identify when you still have a low spot, being straight lines perpendicular to the length of the chisel., And not just a different shade of shinny. The bevel faces don't appear to be as flat as the backs, but I don't have a 45° miter gauge, so it may just be from free-handing.After polishing, I am able to take paper thin cuts from almost any scrap I have laying around. The price is a little higher than my regular beveled chisels, but these are a specialty item. If I need to replace my regular set any time soon, I will be looking this company up.

These make getting into those tight spots much easier.

Chisels made to good HSS, they take an edge very well and hold it. I carve hard maple with them and, once sharpened, have only needed to strop every 5 minutes or so.Good deal...

These showed up as described and seem to be a fine tool for a completely reasonable price. Nearly all of my problems with these tools are the final fit and finish. The finish less than desirable and removing the protective coating from the steel was difficult and tedious. lacquer thinner was mildly successful, denatured alcohol was nearly useless. After soaking the cutting edge in thinner for 10 minutes I was able to scrape off the coating with a plastic razor blade.The back is flat enough to get it working relatively quickly with a short amount of work. The hornbeam handles are stained and rough. A little large for such a small tool and nearly too large for the type of work they would be used for, like half blind dovetails. I will likely rehandle them or sand them back and reshape them to a more traditional profile.All of that said, they will absolutely get the work done, and after going without them on my last project, these will be the right tool for the job when cleaning out waste in tight corners.