pdmayhew said:Some people really like the Bolzano blades & they're made in Germany.
Aha: which makers do you rate highly? I have a good opinion of Sorby and Henry Taylor; Marples production has now moved to China. I agree that German steels seem to work better in knife applications, but that's a different cutting action where large carbides are an advantage (as opposed to, say, a straight razor).henkverhaar said:For tools, I prefer UK turning chisels over German ones big time
Arrowhead said:Aha: which makers do you rate highly? I have a good opinion of Sorby and Henry Taylor; Marples production has now moved to China. I agree that German steels seem to work better in knife applications, but that's a different cutting action where large carbides are an advantage (as opposed to, say, a straight razor).henkverhaar said:For tools, I prefer UK turning chisels over German ones big time
I am very pleased to hear this as I knew Ashley, and have recently seen his son Ray. The latter is a fascinating character, and what he doesn't know about the Sheffield tool trade is probably lost knowledge. Ray's cabinetmakers' chisels are the best modern ones I have ever owned: the blades are made by his brothers trading as Ashley Iles, Ray finishes them off and adds octagonal boxwood handles. The steel is basically O1 - very simple stuff by today's standards - with a very good heat treatment. Presumably the turning tools are HSS though to withstand the friction heating of the cutting edge. Incidentally, when Marples moved production to China, it was Ray who picked up most of their machinery.henkverhaar said:I am partial to Ashley Iles.
Audiolab said:As a mechanic tools to me were either Britool or SnapOn.
Arrowhead said:I am very pleased to hear this as I knew Ashley, and have recently seen his son Ray. The latter is a fascinating character, and what he doesn't know about the Sheffield tool trade is probably lost knowledge.henkverhaar said:I am partial to Ashley Iles.
Ray's cabinetmakers' chisels are the best modern ones I have ever owned: the blades are made by his brothers trading as Ashley Iles, Ray finishes them off and adds octagonal boxwood handles. The steel is basically O1 - very simple stuff by today's standards - with a very good heat treatment.
Presumably the turning tools are HSS though to withstand the friction heating of the cutting edge.