Dug up my grandma's old chisel set and it kicked my new one's butt

My father-in-law gave me her old Stanley set from the 1960s after I complained about my $50 chisels not holding an edge. Spent a Saturday afternoon flattening and sharpening them on a wet stone, took about 2 hours total. First dovetail joint I cut with the vintage ones came out cleaner than anything I've done in the last 5 years. Anybody else find older tools just feel better in the hand, or is it all just nostalgia?

2 comments

2 Comments

craig.olivia2d ago

Man, I used to swear by buying new tools, thought old stuff was just junk people kept for sentimental reasons. Then my buddy let me try his granddad's old chisels and it was night and day. The steel just holds an edge so much longer and the balance feels natural, not like the new ones that feel heavy in the handle. Took me a while to admit it, but now I hunt garage sales for old planes and saws before I even look at the store.

shanes662d ago

Read some guy online saying old tools were basically forged with better steel because the mills back then didn't recycle junk metal like they do now. Makes sense why my grandpa's saw still cuts clean while the new one just fights me.