I bought three new_old_stock Buck Bros. bench chisels ('60's) just to have a few in the largest sizes, from
The blade was sharpened and back-lapped from 220-320-600-1200 papers for both sides, strictly by hand because my basic honing guide does not hold thick blades, I know I did it accurately though.
I cleaned up tenon cheeks (meaning not the tenons themselves), the end-flats around the tenons that is, the wood is doug fir. I used the 2" Buck and a
26mm Stubai bench chisel.But when in use, the Buck took on some nick-burs to the point where it needs a complete new honing after only [one_session_of_many_strokes] with a mallet!!! These burs are sharp enought to feel.
The Stubai chisel was used on the same job for a bit more time than the Buck with some equally hard slamming and it took on no nick-burs in the cutting edge, these are hardened to RC 60. Superior steel from Austria?
I can tell the Buck steel is decent, as it leaves a non gummy medium grey powder on the paper, the Stubai leaves a non gummy, very light colored grey powder (On yellow 220 AO from Norton).
Does anyone suspect I should get a refund on these Bucks? Pictures are on ABPW with the title " Buck Bros. Chisels " (for searching through the illegal mess). Thanks much for any advise but please take all factors of mine into account...?