Best Wood Chisels

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 14, 2024
With the help of any of these woodworking chisels, you will be able to easily cut large sections of wood. The seemingly simple tools have a lot to offer and any self-respecting DIY enthusiast or professional carpenter should always have a few of these instruments at hand. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Package
Size
Blade
Handle
Warranty
 
PROS

The massive steel ferrules and hoops will make it a lot easier to work with a mallet. Even after years of professional use, these things will look good as new. The handles look absolutely fantastic. Featuring 5 and a half inches in length, they will prove to be particularly convenient for all kinds of people. 

CONS

Handles made of wood are more demanding in terms of maintenance than their PP or plastic counterparts.

OUR VERDICT

The Narex 853053 will give you arguably the best wood chisels on the market today. Aside from the excellent quality of the tools themselves, the wooden presentation box looks fancier than any other toolbox. The product isn't cheap but it makes for a great present for serious DIY enthusiasts or professional carpenters.

detailed parameters
Package

6 chisels, wooden case

Size

1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 13/16", 1 1/16"

Blade

Cr-Mn steel

Beveled edges

Grounded at a 25-degree bevel

Handle

Stained European beech ergonomic grip handles

Steel ferrule and hoop

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The narrow side bevels will allow you to flatten and sharpen with quickness and precision. In addition to the chisels and the case, you'll get a sharpening stone and a honing guide. The stone will allow you to sharpen the tools at a 25- and 30-degree angle, so it can be used not just for wood chisels but also for plane irons.

CONS

Some users report that the wooden case is mediocre at best. 

OUR VERDICT

The VonHaus 15/085 presents easily the most complete set of instruments and accessories. Using the 8 different wood chisels that come with the case, there isn't a woodworking task out there that you wouldn't be equipped to tackle. A professional craftsman will definitely appreciate all of the extra options.

detailed parameters
Package

8 chisels, honing guide, sharpening stone, wooden case

Size

1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 2"

Blade

Cr-Mn steel

Beveled edges

Grounded at a 25-degree bevel

Handle

Rubberized PP ergonomic grip handles

Metal strike caps

Warranty

1 year

PROS

These wood chisels incorporate a 25-degree bevel. This kind of angle makes it a lot easier to carve into the wood. The handles are made of polypropylene, a material that, among other things, doesn't get deformed that easily. They're also rubberized, providing that comfortable yet firm grip to help you with your carpentry projects.

CONS

The metal is prone to rust, so you will have to avoid damp environments. 

OUR VERDICT

The Stanley 16-150 is more of an introductory set that will definitely help the aspiring woodworkers get the gist of the craft. You won't have to waste your time honing and sharpening the blades. The instruments are great at carving into softwood.

detailed parameters
Package

3 chisels

Size

1/2", 3/4", 1"

Blade

Cr-Mn steel

Beveled edges

Grounded at a 25-degree bevel

Handle

Rubberized PP ergonomic grip handles

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The handles are really slim and contoured. A form like that gives you more control and precision and, once you get used to it, it might even prove to be more comfortable than the standard handle. The nozzle caps will keep the blades sharp for a long time and they will also prevent any accidental cutting scenarios.

CONS

The handles aren't rubberized. 

OUR VERDICT

If you already have some experience with carpentry under your belt and are looking to get a new set of woodworking essentials, we would recommend giving this Irwin Tools product a shot. The extra accessories provide additional longevity to these instruments, so you won't have to replace them in the foreseeable future.

detailed parameters
Package

6 chisels, wooden case

Size

1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1"

Blade

High-carbon steel

Beveled edges

Grounded at a 25-degree bevel

Handle

PP ergonomic grip handles

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The blades incorporate a serrated cutting edge, a design solution that will allow you to carve and cut different shapes and figures. The handles come equipped with metal caps, a built-in accessory that will keep your fingers safe. The curved form of the handles makes them easier to use for an extended period of time. 

CONS

You will have to sharpen and hone the blade more often than you'd like. 

OUR VERDICT

This 3-piece set from DeWalt is far more versatile than any other option on our list. The cutting edge on the side of the blades can be used for scraping and demolition purposes. The overall design of the chisels will allow you to tackle a wider variety of woodworking projects.

detailed parameters
Package

3 chisels

Size

3/4", 1", 1 1/4"

Blade

Carbon chrome steel

Beveled edge with a serrated area

Grounded at a 25-degree bevel

Handle

Rubberized PP ergonomic grip handles

Metal strike caps

Warranty

Limited lifetime

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Narex 853053

The Quality to Match

The Narex 853053 is a high-quality 6-piece set of wood chisels that we could easily recommend to beginners and professionals alike. Sure, it isn't the cheapest option, especially for someone who is just getting into woodworking, but we would say that the overall quality makes this product worth the price.

The said quality is present in everything here. First comes the blades. More precisely, the fine-grained and nicely tempered chrome-manganese steel blades, the sort of blades that will cut through wood like a knife through butter. Add to that the massive steel ferrules and hoops and you have yourself the sort of chisels that can you can always pair with a mallet. Even after years of professional use, these things will look good as new.

The handles, comprised of stained European beech wood, look absolutely fantastic. Featuring 5 and a half inches in length, the long handles will prove to be particularly convenient and will keep your fingers safe. The only real downside of these handles is that, unlike their PP or plastic counterparts, they do demand more as far as maintenance goes, but that's a small price to pay for their quality.

In short, the Narex 853053 will give you arguably the best wood chisels on the market today. Aside from the excellent quality of the tools themselves, the wooden presentation box looks fancier than any other toolbox. The product isn't cheap but it makes a great present for serious DIY enthusiasts or professional carpenters.

Review of Narex 853053 6 pc Woodworking Chisel Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $99.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0165WKKY2

 

VonHaus 15/085

A Complete Set

The VonHaus 15/085 is the sort of wood chisel set that really puts an emphasis on the "set" part. The price may not seem that modest but keep in mind that you will get 8 different chisels, a honing guide, a sharpening case, and a wooden case for storage and transportation. Considering what you're getting in return, we would say that the manufacturers aren't asking for a whole lot here.

Though the number of tools and extra accessories is definitely the most attractive thing about this model, it isn't like the quality of these instruments isn't up to par either. The heat-treated, chrome vanadium steel alloy blades with narrow side bevels will cut right through any type of wood and should be able to withstand some serious abuse. The said narrow side bevels will allow you to flatten and sharp with quickness and precision.

The same can be said about the handles. Made of rubberized polypropylene, these handles provide a comfortable and firm grip, so you'll be able to work with the chisels for hours without getting blisters or worrying about one slipping from your hand.

The sharpening stone deserves some appreciation too. The stone will allow you to sharpen the tools at a 25- and 30-degree angle, so it can be used not just for wood chisels but also for plane irons.

To sum it up, the VonHaus 15/085 presents easily the most complete set of instruments and accessories. Using the 8 different wood chisels that come with the case, there isn't a woodworking task out there that you wouldn't be equipped to tackle. A professional craftsman will definitely appreciate all of the extra options.

Review of VonHaus 15/085 10 pc Woodworking Chisel Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $49.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B015Y15U2M

 

Stanley 16-150

Aspiring Woodworker's Tools

The Stanley 16-150 is more of an introductory set that will definitely help the aspiring woodworkers to get the gist of the craft. The blades already come sharpened, honed, and uniformly hardened, so you can put them to use straight out of the box.

The said blades are made of heat-tempered steel. They feature a lacquer coating that helps prevent rust. Having said that, the blades are still relatively prone to rust, so you might want to avoid storing them in damp environments.

Just like the majority of similar tools, these wood chisels incorporate a 25-degree bevel. This kind of angle makes it a lot easier to carve into the wood.

Of course, the blades are only half of the deal and the handle is always just as important as the blade. Fortunately, in this case, the handles of these carving chisels are pretty great.

They're made of polypropylene, a material that, among other things, doesn't get deformed that easily. As per usual, the handles are also rubberized, providing that comfortable yet firm grip to help you with your carpentry projects.

To sum it up, what we have here is a great 3-piece set for basic woodworking projects. You won't have to waste your time honing and sharpening the blades. The instruments are great at carving into softwood.

Review of Stanley 16-150 3 pc Short Blade Wood Chisel Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $16.45
Stock In stock
ASIN B00002X1YO

 

Irwin Tools M444SB6N

A Better Offer

This set from Irwin Tools is a suitable option for people who have some experience with the woodworking department of the whole DIY shtick. Featuring 6 socket chisels, the product includes just about everything you would want out from a set of woodworking essentials.

Now, we aren't saying that this is a bad option for beginners either. The only real issue we have with these tools is that the handles aren't rubberized, so you will be feeling every hit of the mallet and you will have to keep your grip firm, something that might prove to be a tad difficult for beginners.

But, other than that, these are good quality instruments. And the handles themselves aren't too bad either. Sure, they aren't rubberized, but they're really slim and contoured. A form like that gives you more control and precision and, once you get used to it, it might even prove to be more comfortable than the standard handle.

The blades are no joke either. Comprised of high-carbon steel and hardened to 58-HRC, these blades feature improved edge retention, meaning that they will serve you longer than the usual blades.

The one seemingly small thing that we really liked about this set is that, in addition to the tools and the case, you get 6 nozzle caps, 1 for each chisel. They will keep the blades sharp for a long time and they will also prevent any accidental cutting scenarios.

To rephrase our earlier point, if you already have some carpentry experience under your belt and are looking to get a new set of woodworking essentials, we would recommend giving this Irwin Tools product a shot. The extra accessories provide additional longevity to these instruments, so you won't have to replace them in the foreseeable future.

Review of Irwin Tools M444SB6N 6 pc Woodworking Chisel Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $80.92
Stock In stock
ASIN B000RG2Y56

 

DEWALT DWHT16148

Tackle any Project

You can always count on DeWalt to help you with your DIY projects or to assist a professional in his trade. And these wood chisels are no exception to this rule. As it is always the case with DeWalt, it isn't some huge changes but the small things that make enough of a difference and ensure a better overall experience.

Take blades, for example. Not dissimilar to the majority of chisels, they're made of hardened and tempered high-carbon steel. They also feature a grounded at a 25-degree bevel.

But, unlike those chisels, the instruments in question incorporate a serrated cutting edge. A solution like that adds extra versatility, expanding the range of your woodworking possibilities and the potential carpentry projects that you'll be able to tackle.

Now, with blades out of the way, it is up to handles to keep their end of the bargain. And we can't say that they fail to deliver on their premise. First, they're rubberized, the classic design solution that softens the literal blow from the mallet.

They're also curved, another design solution that makes the handles just a tad more comfortable. Finally, the handles come equipped with metal caps, a built-in accessory that will keep your fingers safe.

All in all, this 3-piece set from DeWalt is far more versatile than any other option on our list. The cutting edge on the side of the blades can be used for scraping and demolition purposes. The overall design of the chisels will allow you to tackle a wider variety of woodworking projects.

Review of DEWALT DWHT16148 3 pc Chisel Set

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $24.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00LP49LG4

 

What Is a Wood Chisel?

As you would imagine, a wood chisel is exactly what it sounds like. Often referred to simply as a chisel, a tool like that is used for cutting or carving wood. It is characterized by its cutting edge, with a shape that makes it easier for the person using the instrument to force the blade into the wood. Of course, what we have here isn't a selection of single tools but rather sets that include a different number of chisels. The difference between these sets usually boils down to the number of tools and the type of case.

Though the chisels themselves do feature certain differences as well. There's always the difference in size. There's also the material of the blade. Every chisel has a different handle and every handle has its little advantages and disadvantages. Some provide a more comfortable grip while others are more firm than comfortable. But, at the end of the day, it is mostly about your preferences and which specific applications you have in mind.

That said, if you feel like picking up woodworking as a hobby, a wood chisel is just the beginning. Once you get into it, make sure to come back for our reviews of wood lathes and wood routers, the machines that are familiar to any professional carpenter.

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Publish Date: 2018-10-18 13:16:11