While at AWFS this past weekend, I got to try out one of the new Lie Nielson
chisel prototypes. Sweet. Very well balanced. Basic bench chisel design,
with bevelled blades. They are making them from A2, with all the cryogenic
hardening and all that. Rockwell 60-62. They aren't shiny like the plane
blades, but more of a matte gray, except where they have been honed. The
one I held was about a half inch, and cut end grain on cherry like it wasn't
there (which merely means they know how to sharpen). I was very impressed.
These should be out by the end of the year.
Cheers,
Eric