1-1/2" Framing Chisel

So far I have three of these large chisels for working on my wood projects. All of the big chisels that I own are worth their weight in gold and this one is no different. It’s a heavy chisel that takes a sharp edge and keeps it over time. So far I have no complaints with this or my other largechisels.

This chisel was unbelievably sharp straight out of the box. I thought I had a good edge on my blue Irwin chisels, but this literally changed my idea of what sharp is. I can slide this on my arm and the hairs jump off with no resistance. To me this sharpness proves the quality of the steel. I can see that this was made by hand and not a machine, as there are tiny blemishes up near the handle. I can almost hear the ping of the tool being made on the anvil. I am a general contractor who does occasional timber frame accents on the projects I build. I will definitely be buying more of Barr's tools.

Using this chisel on a timber frame barn project bought it after using my friend's chisel for a few weeks. The Barr chisel has good working weight & balance, does a great job on the 2" and 3" joist pockets we're carving in the 12x12 girders. Chisel did a good job out of the box, and getting better as I continue to refine the edge with my diamond plate sharpening stones. End grain, knots - it doesn't matter with this chisel. I expect this chisel to be a workhorse over the next year as we build this barn.

Was delivered with a chip on the cutting edge had to repair it first thing given the price I wasn't happy all in all a great tool though would have returned it but who has time for that if I didn't need it in a hurry I wouldn't have ordered it

I’ve owned my 1 1/2” chisel for two years now. I’ve built three timber frames and replaced about a dozen sills and joists in that time.I chose this over the Robert Sorby primarily because the Barr is a socket chisel and the Sorby is a tang chisel. When chiseling out mortises or other joinery you are really wailing on the tool. A socket chisel is the preferred design for this.Yet once sharpened and honed, I can pare end grain in small shavings.The reviewer who said these are brittle is definitely overheating the chisel during sharpening and taking the temper out of them. I would bet he is using a high speed grinder. When you have 3/8” thick steel rubbing against the wheel it’s going to get hot quick. I try to avoid grinding as much as possible unless I have a white composite wheel on a true slow speed grinder. I’ve definitely dropped the Barr on it’s edge, come into knots that were unforgiving, and even hit an occasional nail buried in an old post. Nothing a bit of sharpening couldn’t fix.I should also mention I have had the opportunity to use the Sorby when I was in trade school and I’m glad I chose the Barr. Spend the extra $20-30 and you’ll be glad you did.I will definitely be getting the 2” version once we start our next framing job.

This seems like it will be a nice chisel. It is heavy and feels really solid. Unfortunately, it came with a pretty large ding in the cutting edge. Whether the ding happened before the shipping or after I can't tell. The tip came wrapped in duck tape, which may have provided some protection. But I think Woodcraft should have at least wrapped some bubble wrap around it. Anyway, its a little frustrating and will require a fair bit of work to restore. And at $185 after shipping and tax, that sucks!

Very high quality! We use Barr for our chisels at work and I use this particular one almost every day. This thing is perfect for mortises and dishing, and just eats wood for breakfast. Every couple of weeks I'll swipe it on a extremely fine stone (not surr the grit) and she's brand new again. All of our Barr chisels are very nice you just cant beat that socket fit handle and the fact that they are all hand forged. I know that adds to the strength as I am a part time blacksmith as well. :p The point is, dont worry about the price as these tools last lifetimes, if cared for.

I'm a professional timber framer and own 3 Barr chisels. I find them to be brittle and unable to hold an edge when cutting through end grain. I've tried increasing the sharpening angle and a secondary bevel, neither of which help much with brittleness. Barr tools says it's because I don't know how to sharpen my tools. If you need a full time chisel I suggest finding a different maker.