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Sorry Howard heat treating with a propane or oxy-acetylene setup can give as good results if not better than a forge as you can differentially harden and temper to end up with a tougher blade this is unobtainable in a forge.

The most important steps in heat treating are thermo cycling this is bringing the article up to critical temperature (non magnetic) holding it there for a minute or too then quenching in oil or water depending on the steel this reduces the grain size in the metal, then temper like todd said until the colours run and I'd imagine a dark straw would be what your after as light straw can be a little chippy

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

Sorry Howard heat treating with a propane or oxy-acetylene setup can give as good results if not better than a forge as you can differentially harden and temper to end up with a tougher blade this is unobtainable in a forge.

The most important steps in heat treating are thermo cycling this is bringing the article up to critical temperature (non magnetic) holding it there for a minute or too then quenching in oil or water depending on the steel this reduces the grain size in the metal, then temper like todd said until the colours run and I'd imagine a dark straw would be what your after as light straw can be a little chippy but it's all dependant on the steel.

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

I bought 2 sets of the 6-piece-in-box Narex chisels a few years back when they were on special for appx. $25. They are now $50 from Highland Hardware but if you buy the 4-piece set and add the other 2 separately it comes out to $35. You are spending $15 on a box that will get used once.

When I bought these, the cashier said these are made by the same manufacturer as the $72 Garrett Wade 6-piece set. They are decent chisels for the money but I have bought many 100 year old steel chisels off eBay that I use more often. They are still useful though - not a bad buy.

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I have alot of chisels that I have collected over the years Maples, Japanese, plus alot of used ones that I have picked up. The odd things is the ones I reach for are some old socket type Stanley and Keencutter chisels.( Alot of this is how it feels in your hand balance plus the feel of the handle I like wood) They are similar to the Lie-Nielson. Many years ago I heard someone say when you buy a chisel or a plane you are buying a tool kit because of the work that goes into making it work right. I would try to pick up some used chisels that way you're not so annoyed when you have to put time into. I think you can tell if something is quality by looking at it. If the fit and finish is good the steel is probably good.

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com

John,

That extra wood box you used once, would you sell it to me?

Mike