Best Wood Chisel Reviews: Our Favorite Hand Tools

The versatility of the best wood chisels for woodworking should not be underestimated. You know how frustrating it is to work with tools that aren’t quite right.

Good chisels hold an edge, take a mallet blow and stay comfortable in the hand, so you are not shopping for new ones every year.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top recommendation is the VonHaus 8 Pc Wood Chisel Set. This wood chisel set comes with eight different pieces, providing you with a variety of chisels to work with. The handles are also ergonomically designed to increase comfort while using them. It comes with a honing guide and sharpening stone. The blades are of high quality and they have great edge retention capabilities.

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The Best Wood Chisels Are:

Product	Details
1. VonHaus 8 Pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel	1. VonHaus 8 Pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel Top Pick	- Material: Steel - No. of Pieces: 8 - Weight: 5.95 pounds	Check Current Price
2. Narex 863010 4 Pc Set 6mm Woodworking Chisels	2. Narex 863010 4 Pc Set 6mm Woodworking Chisels	- Material: Steel and wood - No. of Pieces: 4 - Weight: 1.55 pounds	Check Current Price
3. Dewalt DWHT16063 Short Blade Wood Chisel 4 Pc Set	3. Dewalt DWHT16063 Short Blade Wood Chisel 4 Pc Set	- Material: Steel - No. of Pieces: 4 - Weight: 1.3 pounds	Check Current Price
4. IRWIN Tools Marples M444S4N 4-Piece Woodworking Chisel Set	4. IRWIN Tools Marples M444S4N 4-Piece Woodworking Chisel Set	- Material: Carbon Steel - No. of Pieces: 4-Piece - Weight: 1.5 pounds	Check Current Price
5. Stanley 16-401 Bailey Chisel Set, 5-Piece	5. Stanley 16-401 Bailey Chisel Set, 5-Piece	- Material: Steel - No. of Pieces: 5 - Weight: 3 pounds	Check Current Price

1. VonHaus 8 Pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel: Best Chisel Set

This 8-piece chisel set is perfect for the beginning woodworker or for those who need to replace or upgrade their current equipment. The steel alloy blades keep their edge quite well and the ergonomic handles allow you to maintain your grip with ease.

You will also receive a sharpening stone and honing guide. The chisels can handle a blow from your hammer, yet have the versatility for hand-chiseling when needed. You will not be disappointed by this affordable set.

This is an 8-piece chisel set that includes 6x chisels 38mm, 32mm, 25mm, 19mm, 13mm, 6mm, 1x sharpening stone, and 1x honing guide. The chisels come with an ergonomically designed handle to provide you with more comfort and control when using them. The blades are also heat-treated and they offer narrow side bevels.

The narrow side bevels let the chisels reach into tight corners, such as dovetail sockets.

If you are looking for the best woodworking chisels that you can use to handle a wide range of woodworking jobs, this is the right chisel set for you. This unit also comes in a blow-molded plastic storage case, making it very easy to store and transport.

Specs

• Material: Steel
• of Pieces: 8
• Weight: 5.95 pounds

Pros

• It comes with all the pieces you use frequently
• Ergonomically designed handles for increased comfort and control
• It comes with a highly durable storage case
• The blades are made from rugged and highly durable vanadium steel alloy
• It includes a sharpening stone and honing guide

Cons

• Susceptible to corrosion and rust if you not stored very well

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2. Narex 863010 4 Pc Set 6mm Woodworking Chisels

These chisels are surprisingly versatile and strong. They are made from chrome-manganese steel hardened to about RC59.

Sizes range from 6-26 millimeters and each features a bevel that has been ground at 25 degrees. The handles are what really stand out with this set, as each has been handcrafted from European Beechwood.

The natural grip and the overall size of each chisel give you the leverage you need to create consistently and successfully.

Narex is a tool maker based in the Czech Republic. This 4-piece set consists of chisels with 1-1/32 inches, 13/16 inches, ½ inches, and 1/4 inches blade sizes.

The four sizes cover most bench work in hardwood and softwood.

The beech handles are about 5.5 inches long, and a ferrule helps keep them from splitting under mallet taps.

The only downside with these chisels is that you need to sharpen them regularly, as they get blunt pretty fast. Besides that, they are good to go!

Specs

• Material: Steel and wood
• of Pieces: 4
• Weight: 1.55 pounds

Pros

• Highly durable and sharp blades
• Ergonomic handle for increase comfort
• They come in a shrink-wrapped retail box
• They are designed to prevent splitting

Cons

• They do not hold an edge for long, so you have to sharpen them frequently.

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3. Dewalt DWHT16063 Short Blade Wood Chisel 4 Pc Set

It is difficult to discuss the best chisels on the market today without bringing up at least one set by this manufacturer. This 4-piece set gives you the hardened and tempered chrome carbon-steel blades that give you a superior edge.

The strike cap is hardened to take mallet blows, and each blade is lacquered to resist rust. The set comes with a case for storage.

If you are looking for the best chisels to increase your collection of hand tools or replace your old chisels, then the Dewalt DWHT16063 is one of the best options to consider.

Unlike the product we reviewed above, these chisels from Dewalt have an impressive edge retention ability, thanks to the construction material. The handles of these chisels are made from a blend of two long-lasting and ultra-strong materials.

This helps to provide you with all the comfort and durability you need. The handles can also withstand impacts from different kinds of mallets, thanks to their sturdy construction.

The sizes of chisels in this set are 1-inch, 3/4 inches, 1/2 inches, and 1/4 inches. This set contains all the basic and essential chisels you need to handle a wide range of wood carving projects.

The downside to this unit is that it does not come with a honing guide, which means you have to purchase it separately in order to maintain the sharpness of your chisels.

Specs

• Material: Steel
• of Pieces: 4
• Weight: 1.3 pounds

Pros

• It has great edge retention ability
• It comes with the basic chisels
• The blades are resistant to rust and corrosion
• Compact and lightweight

Cons

• It does not come with a honing guide
• It is on the higher end of the price spectrum.

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4. IRWIN Tools Marples M444S4N 4-Piece Woodworking Chisel Set

These long blade chisels make quick work of your woodworking chores. Although the polypropylene handle can get a little slick with continued use, the forged steel blades do provide consistent results.

The edge is retained quite well with these chisels and they withstand mallet work remarkably well. Each tool is backed by a full lifetime guarantee in defects from materials or craftsmanship.

The longest chisel is 11 inches in length, while the shortest is 9.5 inches, so you will have plenty of leverage to get your work done with this set.

The longer blades give extra reach and leverage for paring and chopping.

The handles are comfortable for long sessions, and the blades hold up to hard use.

Strike them with a wooden or plastic mallet, not a steel hammer. A steel hammer can crack the handle and send pieces flying.

This is a reliable all-purpose set for a wide range of projects.

Specs

• Material: Carbon Steel
• of Pieces: 4-Piece
• Weight: 1.5 pounds

Pros

• It features a great build quality
• It does a great job of retaining edge
• It is an all-purpose woodworking chisel set
• Highly durable

Cons

• It does not come with a storage case

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5. Stanley 16-401 Bailey Chisel Set, 5-Piece

These precision-ground chisels come with a good edge out of the box. They are lacquered to prevent corrosion, with the hardwood handle providing the user with a solid grip that remains comfortable without fatigue.

The impact resistance thanks to the end cap is solid as well, so the carbon-chrome steel blades can continue to work consistently whenever there is a project to complete. A leather storage pouch comes with this set to further protect the product.

This is a practical all-purpose set for light to heavy work, and the blades hold their edge well.

All five chisels have hardwood handles that give a firm grip.

Specs

• Material: Steel
• of Pieces: 5
• Weight: 3 pounds

Pros

• It offers an exceptionally strong grip
• Long-lasting and highly durable chisels
• It comes with all the basic and essential chisels you need for any kind of project
• It is ideal for light-duty to heavy-duty woodworking jobs
• Great edge retention capabilities

Cons

• It is a bit difficult to flatten back

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What Are The Different Types Of Wood Chisels?

If you are new to Woodwork Nation, then you will notice that chisels can come in different shapes. There are three different types of wood chisels that you will want to consider owning.

Bench Chisels

This is a general-purpose chisel with a medium-length blade and beveled sides. Bench chisels are traditionally ground to 25 degrees, and a 5-degree microbevel (30 degrees total) makes the edge last longer.

Mortise Chisels

These chisels have thick blades built to take heavy mallet blows and lever out waste when you cut mortise joints. Popular Woodworking suggests a steeper grind of about 35 degrees for mortise chisels.

Paring Chisels

This chisel features a blade that is long and thin for finishing work. Push it by hand; never strike it with a mallet. Paring chisels are usually ground at a low angle of about 20 to 25 degrees.

Each chisel is designed with either a socket-style or a tang-style grip. Socket chisels tend to provide more stability because the handle goes into the base of the chisel.

Tang-style chisels can also be useful, but they have more weakness at the grip point because the chisel is fitting into the handle.

Chisels also come with a variety of handle materials that you will need to consider. The cheapest chisels tend to come with a high-quality plastic handle, which can sometimes make them a little top-heavy.

Wooden handles tend to balance better, but they wear faster than synthetic handles.

Whatever you buy, keep the edge sharp. A sharp chisel needs less force and is less likely to slip. Keep both hands behind the cutting edge and cut away from your body.

Things To Consider When Looking For The Best Chisels

Here are the main things to consider when looking for the best wood chisel set:

Size

Smaller sized chisels provide you with flexibility and freedom to make smaller details when working on smaller woods. On the other hand, if you are working on larger projects or larger spaces, then longer chisels are ideal as they offer more leverage in such situations.

Match the sizes to the joints you cut most.

Purpose

You should also consider your purpose for the tool before venturing into the market. There are different types of chisels designed for purposes and use cases.

However, many DIYers and woodworkers get started by using a standard chisel for virtually everything. Some of the different types of chisels we have on the market are Mortising chisel, Skew chisel, Crank-Neck Chisel, Bench Chisel, and Japanese Chisel.

All these chisels are designed to make certain types of tasks very easy. Some of them allow you to make square corners better, while others have their areas of specialties.

The Quality Of The Blade

One of the most important things, if not the most important, to consider is the quality of the blade. While you can forgive many faults if the chisel has a great blade, the reverse is not the case.

As such, you should make sure that the blade is highly durable and strong. It should also have a great edge retention capability so maintenance can be kept at a minimum.

What Will It Cost Me To Buy The Best Woodworking Chisels?

Prices change often, so check current listings. Budget sets like the VonHaus cost less than one premium chisel, while professional sets cost several times more.

Paying more usually buys better steel and flatter backs, which means less prep and longer edge life.

Conclusion

The best chisels help you work faster and cleaner.

Our top pick for the best wood chisel set is the VonHaus 8 Pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel because it comes with 8 different pieces, providing you with all the essential chisels you need. It also comes with ergonomic handles, making it comfortable and easy to use.

The blades are also of high quality.

Sources

• Sharpening Chisels, Popular Woodworking
• Q & A: Chisel Sharpening Angles, Popular Woodworking