: 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.

With $300, I'd take a wire wheel and clean up my Marples, and then use water stones to sharpen them scary sharp.... And then I'd go buy a mortising machine. You won't be sorry if you do. Though after that, you will be forever inclined to do mortise and tenon joinery....