: I really value the feedback I get here. It has helped me many times
: in tool purchase decisions. I am in the market for a new chisel
: set since (a) my Marples set rusted badly, and (b) it's time to
: step up to a more professional grade set. I have about $300 to
: spend and would like to get a good bench chisel set for
: multi-purpose use. I will probably also buy a few mortice
: chisels for banging out mortices. Mostly what I do with chisels
: is paring work.

: So- I am open discussion here. I have looked at Three Cherries, Lie
: Nielsen, Veritas, Ashley Isles... pretty much all of 'em! I have
: also considered going with Japanese chisels, but I am a little
: worried about spending that much money until I try them out and
: see if I like the Japanese style chisels. I would like to hear
: what you have tried and what you recommend that I could get a
: good set of 6 or more in the $300 range.

How did your present set get rusty? Is it your front porch work shop, or something else? Unless you have that problem solved, spending a lot of money on chisels may not be productive.

I have a set of 4 Freuds (1/4", 1/2", 3/4" 1") which have been fine for 25 years, and I have about 30 others of mixed brands, that I have picked up at the BORG, flea markets, garage sales (Stanley, Marples, Sorby, 3 Cherries, some without makers lables, some I've made myself.) I honestly do not notice a difference in edge holding capacity or rust resistance.) I think I have spent a lot more time flattening the backs of the Stanleys than the others, but that has been about the only difference.

BTW: thanks for the tip on the Worksharp! I really like it. It is fast, doesn't overheat the tool, and yields a great edge!