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I see that Dicks tool sells some HSS chisels, besides being expensive as hell, is there any real advantage to chisels made out of this material?

I do wonder if anyone actually made a tool out of old HSS drill bits...

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The advantage of HSS over regular tool or carbon steel is that they stay sharp longer. The downside being that they are a little harder to sharpen. Actual cutting action should be similar.

Hope that helps.

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Phillip Patton

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The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

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Yes, but are they more brittle/more prone to chips and cracks, etc?

I know many Japanese carbon steel tools are hard (as in around 64 RC) but the hardness actually makes it brittle.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I thought that HSS was more for turning in that it's more heat resistant than regular tool steel. Hence the "High Speed" in HHS. In other words, if you're not heating the tool much in use, there's no advantage to HSS.

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I may be wrong, but I thought all "modern" chisels were tool steel or high speed steel as opposed to carbon steel.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure it won't take long for someone to chime in.

Kevin Looker

edit:
OK, I need someone to clarify the difference between "tool steel" & HSS. Is carbon steel the same as tool steel?

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
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It depends on the steel. Some are more brittle than others. Brittleness depends on the alloys used in the steel, as well as the heat treatment. Lower grade steel with a good heat treatment will outperform higher grade with poor treatment.

_________________
Regards,
Phillip Patton

http://www.pattonblades.com

The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price has faded.

https://hoosierbladesmith.wordpress.com

Carbon steel comes in different classes depending on the amount of carbon. Ranked from low to high with the same range of hardenability. Generally not used now a days for tools. Tool making been taken over by the various so called tool steels and HHS generally related to the metal machining trades. A certain amount of cross over for all the steels in their use depending on the purpose of the specific tools.
Tom

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