Stanley Bailey Vs Sweetheart Chisels - Which Are Better?
With Stanley chisels making a comeback in the market, there is a lot of demand for them. Thanks to the great quality of the Stanley chisel series and the amount of attention it has received from handypersons, these tools are leaving market shelves practically as soon as they reach them.
So, should you choose a Stanley Bailey Chisel or a Sweetheart? Here’s a small guide to help you decide.
When it comes to prepping the tool for first time use, both chisels will need some amount of work.
These chisels do not come with a flat back, so they will need to be adjusted for the handles to fit better. Flatten the back with an abrasive, and sharpen and polish.
Between the two, the Stanley Bailey is a cheaper option than the Stanley Sweetheart.
While both sets of chisels are considered to be in the mid-price range region, the Bailey is a winner for anyone who is looking to save on some $20 when choosing a brand-new chiseling set. If cost isn't an issue, go for the Sweetheart.
As an aside, you could supplement your chisel work with precise cutting work with the help of a CNC machine, as seen on Carve Your Creation.
Both Stanley Bailey and Stanley Sweetheart chisels have sought to emulate Lie-Nielsen chisels, which are considered to be the market standard. They are both comfortable to use while working on paring, chopping mortises, and other such work.
In the case of the Stanley Baileys, the rust proof coating tends to come off when beaten with a mallet, which can present a problem during complex operation. The quality check also does not seem to be very well done on the Stanley Bailey series as can be seen from the markings on the blades.
The Stanley Sweetheart series chisels look and feel great, and offer great value for money.
While both the Stanley Bailey and the Stanley Sweetheart are good mid-range options, they do need a lot of prepping before you can start using them.
These chisels do offer good value for money, and are of certainly better quality than cheaper Asian varieties.
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| Stanley Bailey (left), Stanley Sweetheart (right) |
So, should you choose a Stanley Bailey Chisel or a Sweetheart? Here’s a small guide to help you decide.
Initial Setup
When it comes to prepping the tool for first time use, both chisels will need some amount of work.
These chisels do not come with a flat back, so they will need to be adjusted for the handles to fit better. Flatten the back with an abrasive, and sharpen and polish.
Price
Between the two, the Stanley Bailey is a cheaper option than the Stanley Sweetheart.
While both sets of chisels are considered to be in the mid-price range region, the Bailey is a winner for anyone who is looking to save on some $20 when choosing a brand-new chiseling set. If cost isn't an issue, go for the Sweetheart.
As an aside, you could supplement your chisel work with precise cutting work with the help of a CNC machine, as seen on Carve Your Creation.
Working
Both Stanley Bailey and Stanley Sweetheart chisels have sought to emulate Lie-Nielsen chisels, which are considered to be the market standard. They are both comfortable to use while working on paring, chopping mortises, and other such work.
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| Lie-Nielsen chisel |
In the case of the Stanley Baileys, the rust proof coating tends to come off when beaten with a mallet, which can present a problem during complex operation. The quality check also does not seem to be very well done on the Stanley Bailey series as can be seen from the markings on the blades.
The Stanley Sweetheart series chisels look and feel great, and offer great value for money.
Conclusion
While both the Stanley Bailey and the Stanley Sweetheart are good mid-range options, they do need a lot of prepping before you can start using them.
These chisels do offer good value for money, and are of certainly better quality than cheaper Asian varieties.
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