Making or modifying tools, make them personal, fitting them to hand is the most satisfying thing I can do in my shop. I highly recomand to every wood or steel workers even begginers to do that.
I upgraded to Narex Richter chisels and like you, the round handles just didn’t feel quite right in my hands. Thanks to your video, I saw the solution and had the confidence to reshape the handles. I created a modest flat surface on the top, bottom and each side of the handle. I didn’t bother creating facets on the resulting diagonal parts of the handle that were still curved (between the flat surfaces) as leaving these curved seemed to result in a handle that was very comfortable in my hand. So, thank you for this video. Not sure I would have attempted it on these chisels without your guidance.
I have a box of handleless tools I got at estate sales. Usually I bought a box for 1 or 2 things and tossed the recoverable leftovers in there. When I’m in a funk, I’ll clean one up, split a chunk off some beech logs I have, and make a handle. No one cares except me, but I love it. It’s crazy rewarding to have a tool for my own hand, especially when it’s from raw wood and carving without a lathe to me. They’re never perfect, but they feel great and they’re mine. An extra chisel of a size means I can keep going vs stopping to sharpen when I’m in the zone. Hatchets are great to have different bevels on. You can never have too many saw files. And, if all else fails, you can donate a tool to a friend.
I would beg to differ on this not making your work better quality. When you enjoy the tools you use and it puts a smile on your face, you'll do better work. Love your tools and you'll love your work
One thing I love and what I learned from this video today is that not all cases you have to totally start from scratch like removing the handle entirely and making another set of handles. Of course in my opinion I think it is better cause at the end of that route you fit it to fit "your hand and wants" so it will naturally be made for you. However if we ever run into a tool with a handle we already like, it shouldn't stop us from seeing if we can make slight tuning to it and make it perfect. Hack in my own world I actually thought of using leather wrapping for chisel handles, which I plan on doing in the future once I get a set of chisels I think will be good. might actually post my work and write out the results to see if it is worth it or any practical idea to do it for your chisel handles.
Because of my old man hands I have two distinctly different sets of bench chisels. The batch of smaller chisels have slightly offset semi oval handles and I only pare with them. The offset is to accommodate my thumb carpal tunnel. They are 1/2" to 1/4" only and older inherited and flea market finds. Like you I rehandled the delightful Narex with octagonal slightly bigger diameter ancient broken ball bats.
The unhandled set is a good option. I wanted my 1/8" handle to be much smaller, with no ferrule, then decided to make the handles graduated. I had some apple which was too small for other purposes. There is no need for machine perfection here. If you get it right, every time you pick up a chisel, it's more fun.
Thanks James. Really appreciate the reminder that most of us are in the shop to have fun. I had a blast this afternoon working on some Christmas gifts but now I really want to fix my very old rolling Marples chisel (that I love).
You are so correct about tool feel! I make a living wrenching on aircraft and I feel the same way about the tools I use daily. Only the best I can find will do for that!
I bought a set of Narex chisels from Taytools that came with no handles.(Cheaper that way) Used the Neil Pask jig and made octagonal handle that don't roll.
Nice one James, customising a tool to your own requirements or taste is something everyone should consider, and that is the great advantage of wooden handles !
That was a really cool project. I can see why you procrastinated on getting it done. There's got to be a bit of a butt pucker factor when you start customizing such a nice tool. Kind of an expensive one, too. Compared to Lie-Neilsen or Blue Spruce, they might be considered moderately priced, but on my budget they're pretty expensive. Fortunately for me, I bought some Blue Chips back around 2000, when they were still really good. They were pretty cheap, too. I'm not a fan of the plastic handles, but I don't think I've got the courage to replace them.
Like your chisels your video is almost perfect. Most times you get to the end of a project you get really excited talking about it. In the process if you are holding the piece you wave it around a lot. That keeps me from getting a better look at what you have done. Try putting the piece on the table so it isn't moving around. That will make it easier to see the details. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Your timing is perfect. I have a couple chisels with terrible handles. I was thinking just yesterday i should make some new ones. I will be has happy as you are when they are done. 😁
Nice little customization. Always good to make your tools fit your hand and your purpose. Although I wouldn't use 'clunky' to describe London pattern handles. I would choose refined as an adjective for them.
I actually remember when you said that you will make the handles octagonal, it was around that time that I started woodworking and your videos helped me tremendously along the way. I have three richter chisels and I those are the only handles I dont mess with because they were more expensive than the other ones, I might try this on one of them though. Glad you finaly got around to make this video, my next most anticipatited one is the plane body for those new plane irons, hope it wont be years before you get to it, cheers!
Update - those handles are an incredible improvement, not that they were terrible in their stock form, but wow, I might do that to most of my chisels now.
I just recently got some Narex chisels for my birthday -- the first I've had that are not, in Stumpy Nubs' words, "chisel-shaped chinesium". I'm very happy with them as they are for now, but I'm happy that you're happy with your mod. :-)
I have just purchased a Narex Richter chisels with no handle. Have some 100 year old oak to make some handles. If they end up splitting like some have said, I’ll make others. Most of my time is in the shop🤓
The Sears Craftsman Router Crafter keeps on popping up as something that can solve a lot of weirdly niche yet reoccurring projects, like a perfect cambered octagonal handle maker, or making wooden screws. It's basically a Router Sled positioned over a hand-cranked lathe chuck, and is the Router version of a table saw dowel making jig, with some neat tricks, like having a cable that moves the sled while simultaneously turning the chuck. I see it talked about very little, possibly because it seems like a Bad Idea(™️) but I'd love to see more discussion about it in this context.
It's funny you should mention the copy crafter, I saw a "tip & trick" pop up in my email from woodcraft this morning on making a jig to make and achieve about the same results with a lathe.
Cool, such an easy alteration to make once you actually just do it! I too prefer harder edges on handles for the memory registration it gives you. Rob Cosman also a huge proponent of that.
That looks pretty similar to my Pfeil bench chisels (that they call 'carpenters' chisels'). They have an octagonal shape that's a bit flattened, so that you can feel where the blade is orientated. I got them cheap straight from the factory (next door to my mum's house) but they're about the same price as Narex.
I made this exact modification to all my Richters, as well as my rasps with similar handles. I didn'think of the spokeshave trick, though. By the way i loathe film coatings on tools and tool hadles. It always come off immediately. My. Ece Primus 711 had not taken shaving 1 before its (particularly awful) film finish cam off.
I was wondering if one could remove the metal rings on Japanese chisels and then use a wooden mallet? I find that my rings are too soft and develop a sharp burr, which I periodically have to file off. Thanks!
I just bought myself a shinto rasp; they no longer have the wooden handles they had before - now they're in some horrible soft plastic material :( Also, I don't know if Japanese woodworkers tend to have smaller hands (?!), but in any case the handle feels a bit too short for me, so when I find the time I'm intending to turn a handle, maybe based on this design...
I like how an octagonal handle feels too, and I've created some designs loosely based on the London pattern before, but I never thought to experiment with the number of facets. Is 8 sides really the best, or just more convenient to make? I wonder if 7 or perhaps 10 facets would be better. My expectation is that the sweet spot happens to be 8, but the next time I 3d print a file handle or something like that, I'll perhaps try a decagonal cross section instead.
For sometimes like to go out and shop and see how fast I can make something and how poorly I can mess it up just to relax and enjoy it. And know that it's going to look atrocious when done and that's perfectly fine.
Depends on who you ask. I find them to be a little bit on the shorter side from what I generally like. Most of the time I like my chisels to be about a half inch longer. If you're used to sockets they're very long.
Oh no, it's for me. I'll send you my Richter chisels, still round, and you send me your modified ones. Fair trade 😛 and organic! I had the same critique of the Richter chisels when I received mine. I did a Michael Jackson dance move to keep from having my foot impaled by the 1/8" rolling off the bench when I was unpacking it. I need to do this with mine as well. After seeing how yours went, I think I might put a plane upside down in the vise and drag the handle across the blade instead, ensuring the front knuckle and handle are both in contact.
The fact that the original handles were large and clunky is a key factor here. Trying it on a smaller handle could result in something too spindly. But I do quite agree that a multi-sided or fluted handle is best... especially for screwdrivers. 🤙
So I've seen you plane ANY WHICH WAY, with gusto... but I've also heard you're supposed to go "with the grain" - is that true? What does that even mean?!
Yes. I am always changing if I find I am going agents the grain. th-cam.com/users/shortspLaIUgPf_2g?si=4EEq_teIA-4neWH7here is a short on what it is. th-cam.com/users/shortskCJ_u8qpsFg?si=PMaT8oOsGw6Kf0kk and here is one on how to find out the direction.
Keeping the chisel on allowed me to make sure that the chisel was flat and straight in the jaw. Gives you something to eyeball. Not to mention taking them off and putting them back on is an absolute pain.
I do not like octagonal handles 😀 smooth boxwood or walnut for me. I have a lovely set of Luban but I wish they didn’t have flats or steel ferrules instead of brass. The London pattern I dislike, but my screw driver with this is definitely much more positive grip. I associate it with cheap tools sold by Woolworths in the 1960s. No logic, just simple prejudice.
Making or modifying tools, make them personal, fitting them to hand is the most satisfying thing I can do in my shop.
I highly recomand to every wood or steel workers even begginers to do that.
I upgraded to Narex Richter chisels and like you, the round handles just didn’t feel quite right in my hands. Thanks to your video, I saw the solution and had the confidence to reshape the handles. I created a modest flat surface on the top, bottom and each side of the handle. I didn’t bother creating facets on the resulting diagonal parts of the handle that were still curved (between the flat surfaces) as leaving these curved seemed to result in a handle that was very comfortable in my hand. So, thank you for this video. Not sure I would have attempted it on these chisels without your guidance.
Wish more people followed this channel, great content and great ways to improve your craft
I have a box of handleless tools I got at estate sales. Usually I bought a box for 1 or 2 things and tossed the recoverable leftovers in there. When I’m in a funk, I’ll clean one up, split a chunk off some beech logs I have, and make a handle.
No one cares except me, but I love it. It’s crazy rewarding to have a tool for my own hand, especially when it’s from raw wood and carving without a lathe to me. They’re never perfect, but they feel great and they’re mine. An extra chisel of a size means I can keep going vs stopping to sharpen when I’m in the zone. Hatchets are great to have different bevels on. You can never have too many saw files. And, if all else fails, you can donate a tool to a friend.
I would beg to differ on this not making your work better quality. When you enjoy the tools you use and it puts a smile on your face, you'll do better work. Love your tools and you'll love your work
One thing I love and what I learned from this video today is that not all cases you have to totally start from scratch like removing the handle entirely and making another set of handles. Of course in my opinion I think it is better cause at the end of that route you fit it to fit "your hand and wants" so it will naturally be made for you. However if we ever run into a tool with a handle we already like, it shouldn't stop us from seeing if we can make slight tuning to it and make it perfect. Hack in my own world I actually thought of using leather wrapping for chisel handles, which I plan on doing in the future once I get a set of chisels I think will be good. might actually post my work and write out the results to see if it is worth it or any practical idea to do it for your chisel handles.
Because of my old man hands I have two distinctly different sets of bench chisels. The batch of smaller chisels have slightly offset semi oval handles and I only pare with them. The offset is to accommodate my thumb carpal tunnel. They are 1/2" to 1/4" only and older inherited and flea market finds. Like you I rehandled the delightful Narex with octagonal slightly bigger diameter ancient broken ball bats.
The unhandled set is a good option. I wanted my 1/8" handle to be much smaller, with no ferrule, then decided to make the handles graduated. I had some apple which was too small for other purposes. There is no need for machine perfection here. If you get it right, every time you pick up a chisel, it's more fun.
Thanks James. Really appreciate the reminder that most of us are in the shop to have fun. I had a blast this afternoon working on some Christmas gifts but now I really want to fix my very old rolling Marples chisel (that I love).
You are so correct about tool feel! I make a living wrenching on aircraft and I feel the same way about the tools I use daily. Only the best I can find will do for that!
I bought a set of Narex chisels from Taytools that came with no handles.(Cheaper that way) Used the Neil Pask jig and made octagonal handle that don't roll.
Nice one James, customising a tool to your own requirements or taste is something everyone should consider, and that is the great advantage of wooden handles !
That was a really cool project. I can see why you procrastinated on getting it done. There's got to be a bit of a butt pucker factor when you start customizing such a nice tool. Kind of an expensive one, too. Compared to Lie-Neilsen or Blue Spruce, they might be considered moderately priced, but on my budget they're pretty expensive. Fortunately for me, I bought some Blue Chips back around 2000, when they were still really good. They were pretty cheap, too. I'm not a fan of the plastic handles, but I don't think I've got the courage to replace them.
Like your chisels your video is almost perfect. Most times you get to the end of a project you get really excited talking about it. In the process if you are holding the piece you wave it around a lot. That keeps me from getting a better look at what you have done. Try putting the piece on the table so it isn't moving around. That will make it easier to see the details. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Your timing is perfect. I have a couple chisels with terrible handles. I was thinking just yesterday i should make some new ones. I will be has happy as you are when they are done. 😁
Nice little customization. Always good to make your tools fit your hand and your purpose.
Although I wouldn't use 'clunky' to describe London pattern handles. I would choose refined as an adjective for them.
I realized I was grinning when you were so happy with your tools😁
I actually remember when you said that you will make the handles octagonal, it was around that time that I started woodworking and your videos helped me tremendously along the way. I have three richter chisels and I those are the only handles I dont mess with because they were more expensive than the other ones, I might try this on one of them though. Glad you finaly got around to make this video, my next most anticipatited one is the plane body for those new plane irons, hope it wont be years before you get to it, cheers!
Update - those handles are an incredible improvement, not that they were terrible in their stock form, but wow, I might do that to most of my chisels now.
Great video, especially the part about why we are in the shop!
I just recently got some Narex chisels for my birthday -- the first I've had that are not, in Stumpy Nubs' words, "chisel-shaped chinesium". I'm very happy with them as they are for now, but I'm happy that you're happy with your mod. :-)
Oh my, oh my…. This is quite enticing…. Love it!!
6:06 that's the point of it all ❤
I have just purchased a Narex Richter chisels with no handle. Have some 100 year old oak to make some handles. If they end up splitting like some have said, I’ll make others. Most of my time is in the shop🤓
I have a set of the Pfeil Cabinet Makers Chisels with octagonal handles, and they are very comfortable to use
I love the joy this has brought to you.
The Sears Craftsman Router Crafter keeps on popping up as something that can solve a lot of weirdly niche yet reoccurring projects, like a perfect cambered octagonal handle maker, or making wooden screws.
It's basically a Router Sled positioned over a hand-cranked lathe chuck, and is the Router version of a table saw dowel making jig, with some neat tricks, like having a cable that moves the sled while simultaneously turning the chuck.
I see it talked about very little, possibly because it seems like a Bad Idea(™️) but I'd love to see more discussion about it in this context.
It's funny you should mention the copy crafter, I saw a "tip & trick" pop up in my email from woodcraft this morning on making a jig to make and achieve about the same results with a lathe.
Cool, such an easy alteration to make once you actually just do it!
I too prefer harder edges on handles for the memory registration it gives you. Rob Cosman also a huge proponent of that.
They are fabulous! Tks again to you n stumpy nubs for recommendations
No snide remarks from me.I learn more and more from you all the time and that's really saying something considering I'm 71 and your a little younger😎😊
He’s a whippersnapper! ;)
That looks pretty similar to my Pfeil bench chisels (that they call 'carpenters' chisels'). They have an octagonal shape that's a bit flattened, so that you can feel where the blade is orientated. I got them cheap straight from the factory (next door to my mum's house) but they're about the same price as Narex.
These look beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I made this exact modification to all my Richters, as well as my rasps with similar handles. I didn'think of the spokeshave trick, though. By the way i loathe film coatings on tools and tool hadles. It always come off immediately. My. Ece Primus 711 had not taken shaving 1 before its (particularly awful) film finish cam off.
I thought you were going to start with the unhandled ones they sell. But neat to see this way!
Nice to see you have a grip on things! LOL.
Awesome James!! I love my narex
This arrived at the perfect time, I just got the Narex premium unhandled chisels 😁
Find joy in your life
Do what makes your heart sing loud
Happiness is yours
I was wondering if one could remove the metal rings on Japanese chisels and then use a wooden mallet? I find that my rings are too soft and develop a sharp burr, which I periodically have to file off. Thanks!
But but but hexagons ARE the bestagons ... right?
CGP Grey strikes again! Man of culture
Thank you James!!!
Thank you for sharing! .. Personally for me - octagonal also works better, ..but,.. it is matter of taste
London pattern will always be the best for me 😤😤
Really excellent work, James! 😃
They could make it as an option to buy!
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
And happy holidays!
They could make it as an option but that would make them a good bit more expensive.
I just bought myself a shinto rasp; they no longer have the wooden handles they had before - now they're in some horrible soft plastic material :( Also, I don't know if Japanese woodworkers tend to have smaller hands (?!), but in any case the handle feels a bit too short for me, so when I find the time I'm intending to turn a handle, maybe based on this design...
I like how an octagonal handle feels too, and I've created some designs loosely based on the London pattern before, but I never thought to experiment with the number of facets. Is 8 sides really the best, or just more convenient to make? I wonder if 7 or perhaps 10 facets would be better. My expectation is that the sweet spot happens to be 8, but the next time I 3d print a file handle or something like that, I'll perhaps try a decagonal cross section instead.
8 is just easy to make. I have never experienced to try others.
Thanks for reminding me that I'm supposed to have fun woodworking.... for too long it has started feeling like a chore
For sometimes like to go out and shop and see how fast I can make something and how poorly I can mess it up just to relax and enjoy it. And know that it's going to look atrocious when done and that's perfectly fine.
Nicely done. That is an incredible video 🙂🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Fun video. Nice work.
Thank you for the helpful video.
I tried to come up with a carpentry pun that woodwork. I thought I nailed it, but nobody saw it.
Around here we have barns with signs to block those evil hexes😂
1:49, 17 passes in case you are wondering.
Great idea!!!
I seem to recall a wise man once saying, "Perfection is a journey, not a destination." Nonetheless, an interesting video.
Think I might do a few of my chisels in octagonal. I have a carving gouge in octagon and I like it. Those handles look long, or is it just me?
I have a set of them and they are very long. I really wish they were shorter, but I'm glad they make James happy!
Depends on who you ask. I find them to be a little bit on the shorter side from what I generally like. Most of the time I like my chisels to be about a half inch longer. If you're used to sockets they're very long.
Thanks
Prefects need perfect chisel handles. 😉
Great video!
Nice.
I think you can also clamp a No4 or 5 plane upside down, and run the fat faces on the sole to create coplanar faces on the front ring.
You can. But I find it much easier to control the plane than to control the chisel. But I'm sure someone find it easier the other way around.
Oh no, it's for me. I'll send you my Richter chisels, still round, and you send me your modified ones. Fair trade 😛 and organic!
I had the same critique of the Richter chisels when I received mine. I did a Michael Jackson dance move to keep from having my foot impaled by the 1/8" rolling off the bench when I was unpacking it. I need to do this with mine as well. After seeing how yours went, I think I might put a plane upside down in the vise and drag the handle across the blade instead, ensuring the front knuckle and handle are both in contact.
🤔If only you have a chamfer attachment for your block plane to create 45 degree angles...
that would be fun, but it does not go that wide. and if it did it would be difficult to work to the round like that.
👍
Snide remark.
The fact that the original handles were large and clunky is a key factor here. Trying it on a smaller handle could result in something too spindly. But I do quite agree that a multi-sided or fluted handle is best... especially for screwdrivers. 🤙
So I've seen you plane ANY WHICH WAY, with gusto... but I've also heard you're supposed to go "with the grain" - is that true? What does that even mean?!
Yes. I am always changing if I find I am going agents the grain. th-cam.com/users/shortspLaIUgPf_2g?si=4EEq_teIA-4neWH7here is a short on what it is. th-cam.com/users/shortskCJ_u8qpsFg?si=PMaT8oOsGw6Kf0kk and here is one on how to find out the direction.
@@WoodByWrightHowTo Oh wow, great information! Thanks! And good luck to you when your wife finds out... 😂😂
I'm slightly surprised you didn't take the handle off the chisel. That being said: the method worked, so there be no fault
Keeping the chisel on allowed me to make sure that the chisel was flat and straight in the jaw. Gives you something to eyeball. Not to mention taking them off and putting them back on is an absolute pain.
Octagon down below!
Whatever down below ;)
Snide remark. I'm lacking imagination.
Comment down below.
Guess what I'm doing.....get a grip is the hint....lol
Would if your name was James Rong
🛑i break for octagons
Comment down below
Something funny hound go here
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Comment down below, down below.
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comment
James - spellcheck, please.
Not on this channel. That's half the fun. The inside group is always trying to find the misspellings.
Synidly comment
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I do not like octagonal handles 😀 smooth boxwood or walnut for me. I have a lovely set of Luban but I wish they didn’t have flats or steel ferrules instead of brass.
The London pattern I dislike, but my screw driver with this is definitely much more positive grip. I associate it with cheap tools sold by Woolworths in the 1960s. No logic, just simple prejudice.
That's Dumb Doing That
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Comment down below, down below.