Jonathan Salisbury looks at another batch of accessories and jigs from Wood Workers Workshop, the first of which includes this set of handy silicone chisel guards from AUKTools.
The Woodworker & Good Woodworking
We’re all familiar with the rigid plastic guards that are supplied with new chisels. They seem to last long enough to protect you from coming into contact with the sharp edge before they begin to split, crack or disappear.
If you have a tool storage board or cupboard, the chances are that it doesn’t matter too much whether or not chisel edges are uncovered, even after hours of grinding, honing and polishing. If, however, they are kept in a box because you’re tight for space and/or move them around a lot, as I do, then it’s no bad thing to place something over the end – even if to prevent inadvertent, accidental damage.
Flexible & easy to use
It’s possible to buy replacement rigid plastic covers, but why swap like for like if there’s a better alternative? And there is, in the AUKTools silicone chisel guards. Formally available under the WoodRiver brand, these bright red silicone caps are flexible enough to stretch and grip the chisel end: simply squeeze the sides to open them up, carefully slide the tool in – the window allows you to check progress – and then let go. Once in place, they stay in place.
Available in five sizes, they’re suitable for the most common bevel-edge chisels: size 1 – for 3-7mm; size 2 – for 9-13mm; size 3 – for 15-20mm; size 4 – for 22-27mm; and size 5 – for 27-33mm. Because they stretch in all directions, the guards can also be pushed onto almost all types of chisels and gouges, router cutters, plough plane irons, marking knives, centre punches, awls… I even used one on the end of a rasp to protect my fingers.
Conclusion
I really like these: chisels do occasionally fall off the bench, or get knocked by other tools, and it’s always a good idea to cover edges if they’re being transported with other tools. The only downside I can think of is that they can’t be bought individually, and I need more of sizes 1 to 3 than 4 or 5. Also, the £12.95 price tag seems high, although if you think of it as just under £1.30 per guard, this doesn’t seem so bad! The only alternatives available on sale are just like the originals – and not much cheaper – or a lot smaller and unlikely to be as secure; I know which ones I’d prefer to have.
The Verdict
- Pros: Flexible enough for a tight fit on most chisels and gouges; provides protection when not in use; safer and easier to use than the originals.
- Cons: Only available as a set of 10
- Performance Rating: 5 out of 5
- Value Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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