Blue Spruce Optima dovetail chisels?

[Aram]

Does anyone have experience with Blue Spruce Optima chisels, especially the dovetail ones? "Anyone" probably meaning Derek... 

[Derek Cohen]

Aram, I have not heard of these referred to as Optima before now. When did this begin? I know them simply as dovetail chisels.



This is taken from my recent Underbench Cabinet build …

The lower tray house Blue Spruce dovetail/detail chisels. This was the first set of premium chisels I purchased. Dave Jeske had just begun making them, and I was one of the first to order. In fact, the 3/4" (which is the largest size here) was the first made. I asked Dave for a 3/4". He had made 2, one for another order, and sent me the spare. I sent it back. His idea at the time was to make the steel thicker as the chisels became wider, and the one he sent was 3/16" thick. It felt heavy and clumsy. I requested 1/8", and that is what he then made for me.

My one concern about the chisels, prior to purchase, was that they are A2 steel, and that, for paring, a 30 degree bevel might not be ideal. Then it dawned on me that all the Japanese chisels I had were 30 degrees ... These blades get very sharp. They do not hold an edge as long as PM-V11, and need to be honed more frequently. But that does not detract from the absolute pleasure in using them.

These are light blades in beautiful African Blackwood handles. Sized 1/8", 3/16" and up to 3/4". There are two 1/4" skew chisels. I nagged Dave to make a fishtail, but he was skeptical there was an advantage over the skews (there is indeed a big advantage when cleaning out socket corners). Later he did make them, and I chanced on a sale of tools at a deceased estate in Oz. They had not been used, which brought me some sadness for the previous owner. 

The BS are a pleasure to use. Light, nimble, stronger than they appear (used with gentle taps from a plastic-headed hammer). They sharpen up to a razor edge, have never chipped, and simply require sensible use as they are not for heavy work, but the gentle art of joinery in smaller pieces.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Aram]

Aram, I have not heard of these referred to as Optima before now. When did this begin? I know them simply as dovetail chisels.

...

Derek

Hi Derek, Thanks, I had read that write-up previously. I think the Optima chisels are new.

[SteveS]

A little more polishing and new marketing is all the difference I see.

I'm glad Derek got Dave to make the fishtails. Those were the first ones I bought from them with Afzelia burl handles from stock I had.

[AHill]

A little more polishing and new marketing is all the difference I see.

I'm glad Derek got Dave to make the fishtails. Those were the first ones I bought from them with Afzelia burl handles from stock I had.

Agreed.  When I read about "Optima" I see the same handles, same ferrules, same steel, and same bevel angle.  The only thing that's changed that I can tell is getting them with flatter backs.  Several years ago, Dave Jeske sold Blue Spruce to Woodpeckers.  Dave still works, but I think they wanted to take advantage of some of the machining capabilities and higher capacity at Woodpeckers.  I think when Lee Valley released their PM-V11 chisels, it probably put a bit of a dent in the Blue Spruce lineup.  Blue Spruce makes top notch chisels for sure.  I have a set of his paring chisels and I love them.  But there's more competition out there and consumers today seem to be more cost conscious than they were 10 years ago.