Ashley Iles
Ashley Iles Ltd is a family run hand tool maker that manufactures its tools in Lincolnshire, UK.
Classic Hand Tools sell the Ashley Iles range of bench chisels and pole lathe turning tools.
Read more about Ashley Iles
The Ashley Iles story began in the autumn of 1949 when a pattern maker named Ashley Iles gave up his day job and set out on his own to make and sell tools.
Ashley began by renting a small workshop in Sheffield for 5 shillings a week, that'll be 5 bob bor! (or 25 pence in decimalised equivalence and about £9 a week in 2020!). He ended up with a factory making carving and woodturning tools with a brand that is known worldwide.
Today the company is run by two of Ashley's sons, Tony and Barry in a rural location in Lincolnshire which is in the East of England.
Ashley Iles MKII Bench Chisels
These Ashley Iles MKII bench chisels are so attractively priced - how do they do it? These MKII chisels are a great improvement upon the original MKI's.
Hardened O1 high carbon steel with slim tapered blades which gives you access to tight spaces. The backs are also ever so slightly concave (a few thousands of an inch!) This is designed to help with sharpening.
Newtonia handles with brass...
Ashley Iles MKII Butt Chisels
Butt or American Pattern Bevel Edge Chisels are a shorter version of the standard length. Used where the chisel is pushed rather than struck with a mallet, the shorter handle fitting snugly into the palm of the hand.
Hardened O1 Carbon Steel. Padauk handles.
Set of 5 includes 1/4" (6mm), 3/8" (9mm), 1/2" (12mm), 3/4" (19mm) and 1" (25mm).
Ashley Iles Dovetail Chisels
These Ashley Iles Dovetail Chisels have the same O1 oil hardened blades as their ever popular bench chisels, the difference being that these chisels are designed pretty much exclusively for dovetails. This is because they have an oval shaped top section which gives you a very minimal edge along the sides and therefore gives you access into even the tightest of spots for cleaning out dovetails.
Available...
Ashley Iles Skew Fishtail Chisels (Pair)
A pair of 1/4" (6mm) right and left hand Ashley Iles skew fishtail chisels. Designed to fit into awkward spaces when cleaning out dovetails and alike.
Single bevel.
Hardened O1 high carbon steel.
Padauk handles with brass ferules.
Ashley Iles Corner Chisels
Ashley Iles corner chisels are available in 3/8" (9mm) and 1/2" (12mm).
Ashley Iles Pole Lathe Tools - Set of 6
A set of 6 of the most popular pole lathe tools from Ashley Iles. These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So these chisels and gouges are designed...
Ashley Iles 1 1/4'' Deeper Roughing Out Gouge
31mm 1¼" handled deeper pole roughing gouge by Ashley Iles.
These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So this roughing gouge is...
Ashley Iles 1 1/2'' Shallow Roughing Out Gouge
37mm 1½" handled shallow pole roughing gouge by Ashley Iles.
These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So this roughing gouge...
Ashley Iles 2'' Flat Chisel
50mm 2" handled pole chisel by Ashley Iles.
These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So this chisel is designed with the pole lathe...
Ashley Iles 3/4' Skew Chisel
19mm 3/4" handled skew chisel by Ashley Iles.
These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So this skew chisel is designed with the pole...
Ashley Iles 3/8' Spindle Gouge
9mm 3/8" Handled spindle gouge by Ashley Iles.
These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So this spindle gouge is designed with the pole...
Ashley Iles Ferret (Handled)
A fibre extracting and ring release tool. Universal - works left and right handed.
These tools have carbon steel blades, not HSS that you would find in the turning tools we offer from the likes of Hamlet and Robert Sorby. Carbon steel is preferable on a pole lathe because it will give you a finer edge, but more critically it is easier to sharpen if you are away from the power grid. So this ferret...