Almost universally people seem to suggest/imply that "better" tools are important and worth the price difference.
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That certainly used to be a worthwhile general shopping guide, one that is repeated in many early woodworking books that I've read (the same principle is repeated outside of woodworking circles too of course).
But to be honest I'm not sure it has ever been universally true. And it's absolutely not the case today that high price guarantees quality, or that low price automatically means you're buying a mediocre or outright poor tool.
Many of the bigger name brands are not the same company that they were, and their name (and the consequent higher/high price commanded by their tools) are not in any way an assurance of high quality. Perhaps the best example of this in the broader woodworking scene is Stanley; the current company has for all intents and purposes zero relationship to the Stanley of old, except that they own the name. Even by the latter part of the 20th century Stanley's standards had slipped noticeably, and now much of their product line is considered from mediocre to outright junk, depending on whose opinion you're listening to.
A great illustration of the potential for high quality at a low price (note: low, not lower) are the bevel-edge chisels sold by Aldi. Their reputation has spread online due in no small part to Paul Sellers in the UK plugging them so consistently. And he's right to, as I think they still are the cheapest chisels on the UK market while still being full size, and featuring hardwood handles and not moulded plastic. Their qualities, as judged by many experienced woodworkers including Sellers, are right up there with some competitors that cost upwards of five times more.
Some people have gone so far as to say "whatever you do don't get the ones made in China." Why not?
That's a very good question and cuts right to the heart of tool prejudices (and dare I say it, may even be a form of racism).
The simple fact of the matter is that this is an opinion and you can be assured that anyone who says that everything made in China is junk, or should be avoided on principle, is ill-informed and outright wrong. The Aldi chisels mentioned just above? They are of course made in China.
What's particularly sad about this is many of the tools that these same people buy, from some name brands they trust, are now also made in China. Which highlights how foolish it is to make that kind of sweeping condemnation.
They both seem to be made of high speed steel (which I'm told is important and what I want).
It is important but it's not necessarily what you want. HSS could almost be considered obsolete for turning tools (almost) because carbide-tipped tools are now on the market, offering far longer service life &#; reducing the constant need to re-sharpen that has dogged turners since, well, forever.
The sharpening of turning tools shouldn't be downplayed: in turning you may sometimes have to sharpen multiple times before the shaping of a single project is completed. So a grinder should be factored in as not just a desirable additional purchase, but almost a necessity.
Is one more durable?
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It's possible, but I wouldn't want to say in which direction TBH.
Note that the "HSS" label is just a starting point, it doesn't really guarantee anything specific. In addition to HSS being an inherently tough steel type with good hardening properties, the exact alloy used (there are a few), and the way the tool was formed in the factory are critical factors.
It's much the same as with basic high-carbon tool steel, as used pretty universally 100 years ago for all sorts of cutting tools; it didn't mean that all chisels or plane irons produced at the time were of equal quality.
Is handle shape/material of any importance?
Yes and yes, but personal preferences are very important here.
Many turners make it a point to turn their own tool handles to suit their individual tastes on the ideal handle shape (often going for a much long handle for example), and will go so far as to immediately replace the handles on expensive chisels they just bought.
Re. material, once you pass a certain strength the type of hardwood doesn't appear to matter that much. It would seem from practical experience that material properties like vibration dampening (a traditional reason that ash was favoured) aren't as critical as was/is supposed, given than many people are very happy with handles made from maple, rosewood, even ebony, none of which share this characteristic. These days plastics and even the occasional metal handle are seen, which again argues strongly that material qualities are not a critical factor except in terms of what the user likes or doesn't like.
For more information on chisels, see our beginner site Common Woodworking.
I looked at some of my chisels this week and thought that despite today&#;s advanced industrial technologies and engineering, many modern makers seem unable to match the simplicity and qualities that give me what Sorby, Ward and old Marples chisels gave the craft a century and more ago. Why that&#;s the case I am not altogether sure. I am often told of better steel alloys to give better edge retention and edge establishment but have yet to find a match for these old ones either in taking an edge or holding it, but perhaps that is just me. Actually, my Aldi chisels have still proven about the best in the modern day range when it comes to taking and keeping a good edge. The process of making new chisels like these takes only a matter of minutes and very minimal skill. On the other hand, this chisel took care and skill that is proven through a century of use at the bench. Even so though, handles in boxwood take seconds to turn even by eye and hand and of course making brass ferrules about the same. I once watched a man make a 1&#; auger bit in under three minutes too. The speed, dexterity and skilfulness seemed wholly impossible but there he was, a man working by eye replicating one after another for hours on end whilst the whole time talking to people around him about everyday topics affecting their lives. I looked at my chisels and saw how well I was provided for by the men that made them. Each one has its difference and in that difference a loveliness of individuality, strength and quality about it.
The chisel set alone above is a chisel I use and like that stops me every day to ask why the modern maker seems awkward in matching such levels of fineness. By fine I mean unfancy, without machine marks; and I conclude that at some point they become somehow just rigidly mechanical&#;&#;soullessly replications. My chisel has no maker&#;s name and likely never had. The stamp just says warranted cast steel. I have others like that that I do like well enough but this one I found some years back and almost passed it by. I of course know that manufacturing processes have changed and that more technical methods of engineering replaced the hand eye coordination skilled chisel making work once demanded of smiths and such. Even though I might recommend one more modern chisel over another I do lament the loss of seeing skilled work when I see chisels come from manufacturers with identical grinder marks that speak of being mass made. There is something about this chisel that goes beyond the pale for me. The older Marples and Sorbys do the same and so too Wards and others. Truth is the old chisels have aesthetics often sadly lacking in the ones available today. This one, and others I have picked up, are superb chisels to work with. The handles never turn loose, rarely split if used as intended and that edge retaining quality, well, what can I say?
With a little abrading work I can make this chisel suit me more, but it will always be a product less cared about than those of days now long past. Oh, I know, the chisel will work just fine. Of that there is little doubt, but it is how it feels in my hand that I really care about. Will that sense of sensing be gone when people like me pass from this world? Will it really matter if a new generation thinks it has bettered through the industrial evolutionary processes? Or will someone pick up a chisel from the guttered cellar and marvel at the simple words, WARRANTED CAST STEEL and the feel of the steel and the brass and and the boxwood handle and go &#;WOW!&#;
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