A great chisel is essential to carving wood and learning the art of wood carving. Wood carving is a difficult skill to master, requiring fine motor skills, knowledge of the wood grain, and a delicate hand. Without the right tools, wood carving can be frustrating, but with the right tools, you can master the art!
A wood chisel is unique to wood carving and different from the tools you'd usually use to sculpt a block of metal, stone, or glass. A wood chisel consists of several parts:
The Blade – The sharp end of the chisel blade penetrates the wood piece and has a square end that keeps consistent, clean cuts. The Cap – The other end of the chisel blade comes to a sharp, flat end called a cap. The cap prevents anything from getting caught in the blade when you are pushing the chisel through the wood. The Shank – The shank of the chisel is the body of the tool that allows you to grip the chisel firmly and handle the tool with precision while you carve.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Narex 6 pc Set 6 mm | Best Overall |  |
| Stanley 16-150 150 Series Short Blade 3-Piece Wood Chisel Set | Budget Pick |  |
| STANLEY Sweetheart Chisels Set | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Narex 6 pc Set 6 mm
Pros:
- Comes with a set of durable well-made chisels
- Made of carbon steel with a plastic coating
- A fantastic starter set for woodworkers interested in learning how to chisel small pieces
- Wood chisels are of good quality and reasonably priced
- Lightweight design for easy handling
Cons:
- An adequate tool for basic woodwork
- Extremely top heavy and susceptible to falling over easily
- Wood can dull the chisel edge, which means you need to be extra careful
Wood chisels are one of the oldest tools for shaping wood pieces for furniture, wooden toys, and even household items. Just like other woodworking tools, purchasing chisels can be quite confusing as there is quite a wide variety available.
One of the most important factors to take into consideration while purchasing a set of chisels is the shape of the blades. Unlike a wood plane that has flat blade surfaces ideal for slicing through large pieces of wood, a chisel operates more on a curve or hollow ground shape. Chisels are usually used to carve intricate designs into wooden pieces for building furniture, toys and other home project. When shopping for a chisel, the most important thing is to buy a set that includes a variety of sizes for various uses.
2. IRWIN Marples Chisel Set
Pros:
- Carbon steel blades
- Six pieces in total
- Attractive red finish
- Premium price
- Quality brand
- Wide range of sizes
3. Narex
Pros:
- Great quality
- Very sharp
- Comfortable grip
- Very little tear out of the wood
- Flat area for the thumb
- Great balance
- Stylish look
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Be careful while sharpening, otherwise you will ruin the chisel
- Sometimes, the handle loosens
Narex 4 piece chisel set is one of the best wood chisels because of its quality. It comes in a wooden box with a plastic tray. The chisels are hand-forged and well connected to the handles. The chisels’ blades are made from high-carbon steel and comes sharp enough to use. The package comes with 4 types of chisels – 6mm (1/4"), 12 mm (1/2"), 20 mm (3/4") and 26 mm (1 1/16").
The chisels have a flat area for the thumb and the handles are made of Japanese lignum vitae. The breath of the chisel (the distance between the blade and the edge of the cut) is medium. So, these chisels work best for woodcarvers, model-builders, and woodworkers.
4. WORKPRO 3-piece Wood Chisel Set
Pros:
- Reasonably affordable
- Handles fit comfortably
- Comfortable grip
- Cushion feel
- Can be used for different purposes
Cons:
- Wood chisel set comes without handles
- Not as sturdy as some other brands
- Not a great choice for beginners
Sculpting, Drawing.
The set of 3 chisels is a great value for money if you're looking for something basic and reliable for a reasonable price. It's a great option for the price although you may want to consider something a little more expensive for a long-lasting option if you plan on doing frequent wood work.
The chisels are also a great choice for artists who need to do detailed wood work such as sculpting or wood carving. Although it lacks some of the more important features which makes it not the absolute best option it still gets a 5 stars as a great tool for the price.
5. VonHaus 8 pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel Set
Pros:
- Anti-slip handle
- Ideal for small or large projects
- Contains a well-built and sturdy case
- Built-in sharpener, honing stone, and storage case
- Reasonably priced for a chisel set
- Safe due to the anti-slip handle
- Razor sharp and very well tempered
- Great quality and the price is right
- Fits comfortably in the hand
- The case makes it easy to keep the chisels organized and protected
The VonHaus 8 piece chisel set is a great tool for woodworkers and carvers alike. It is made from Carbon Steel that is razor sharp and well tempered. The chisels contain different variations in heights for different uses, allowing you to achieve a variety of results.
Since it’s lightweight and portable, it won’t take up room during transport. This is ideal for workshops or places that require you to travel. It would be better if you have a case for added protection. The chisels themselves come in a chisel sleeve for added protection.
6. Stanley 16-150 150 Series Short Blade 3-Piece Wood Chisel Set
Pros:
- Ergonomically designed for comfort and control
- Solid steel construction
- Designed for homeowner woodworking and DIY projects
- Works great with many types of wood
- Good price
- One of the most popular and widely used wood chisels
Cons:
- Edges dull quickly
- The handle may break, particularly if you overtighten it
- You can break the blade quite easily if you overtighten
Wicked Woodworking has a great review of this product, which is why we include it in our list. Bessey's 3-piece steel wood chisel set is also included, as we've had high praise from users across the board. This set is designed for general wood chipping, scraping, or cutting tasks when you're working on woodwork, wood carving, remodeling, or some DIY projects at home.
It's compact and comes in a small, wooden box for convenient storage when you're not using it. The chisels are made from high-grade steel, so they're extremely durable and will last for a long time. The steel blades are also corrosion-resistant, so they won't rust.
7. DEWALT 3 pc Side Strike Wood Chisel S
Pros:
- Good design
- Sharp and durable
- Ergonomically designed handles
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- Might be too small for large hands
- Cleaning might be a hassle
When it comes to woodworking projects, the DEWALT 3 pc side strike wood chisel sash set will be a handy addition to your tool collection. This set includes two chisel sashes and one chisel shoe with one end sharper than the other.
The chisels are sharp enough to tackle most easily accessible wood materials like trim, laminate, and drywall. The sashes are of strong steel construction and an ergonomic design which makes them quite comfortable to use over an extended period of time.
They're also lightweight which makes it easy to work with them for a long stretch of time, and they’re durable enough to withstand repeated beating. They’re corrosion resistant also so you won’t have to worry about them rusting when left in your tool box.
8. STANLEY Sweetheart Chisels Set
Pros:
- Solid, durable construction
- Comfortable, ergonomic handles
- Cutting edge stays sharp
- Easy to maintain
- Wide range of sizes
- Manufacturer offers quick replacements for defective items
- Vibration reduction design
Recently Saws&Saws has reviewed one of most beautiful and efficient woodworking chisels, STANLEY Sweetheart Chisels. The set comes with 4 pieces of chisels of the following sizes – 1 inches, 1-1/4 inch, 1-3/4 inches, and 2 inches, which is a good bang for the buck.
The high-quality abrasive resistant steel material cuts smoothly and stays sharp. The chisels incorporate a vibration-reduction technology to minimize hand fatigue. Unlike other chisels the high-carbon steel doesn’t easily warp or chip.
Stanley backs this set up with a lifetime warranty. So, if you do have any problems with any of these woodworking chisels, the manufacturer will send replacements.
9. DEWALT DWHT16063 Short Blade Wood Chisel 4piece set
Pros:
- Set includes several different sizes of wood chisels
- Engineered for clean and accurate cuts using wood or metal
- Great value for the price
- Built to last
Cons:
- Wood chisels are generally not for beginners
- Set does not include a case or storage for the chisels
If you are looking for the best wood chisels, the set from DeWALT is a good choice, and it’s the perfect kit for any woodworker or handyman. This chisel set includes several different sizes of wood chisels, from 1/8 to 1 inch in both straight and curved shapes.
The wood chisels have a sharp edge and are made out of carbon steel with a non-slip grip. They have an engineered cutting angle to ensure clean and accurate cuts. The handle is made out of foam, making it extra comfortable and durable. The steel shaft is long enough to improve leverage for smoother cutting. The balance point of the chisel is optimal for increased comfort and precision.
10. Stanley 16-401 Bailey Chisel Set
Pros:
- Resharpenable and replaceable blades
- Angled blades for getting into tight spots
- Incredibly durable
Cons:
- Not for left handers
- Stanley branding is not for everyone
For ease of use, we scored this Stanley chisel set high. The set includes five chisels with worn-resistant steel blades. The blades can be re-polished after years of use, and each of the blades has its own channel to prevent clogging.
Stanley has earned a notable reputation for its high-quality wood chisels, and the Stanley’s 16-401 Bailey set is no exception. After doing our research, we’ve listed this SAE chisel set among our favorites due to its high-quality blades that remain sharp for years of use.
The Stanley chisel set comes with six Bailey chisels – 1/2-inch, 13/16-inch, 3/4-inch, 11/16-inch, 13/32 inch, and 7/8 inch. It also comes with a leather edge protector for keeping your hand and the surface you’re working with protected. The edges are incredibly durable and hold their edge very well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best quality wood chisels?
For a high-quality wood chisel, you need to focus on the material top quality steel and handles made of wood. For the most part, any quality wood chisel will make any woodworking project a lot easier. A number of woodworking professionals recommend Rabbet planes for the best quality wood chisel.
The main advantage of using these chisels is that you can access hard to reach spaces. You can only use a chisel on flat surfaces, which can prove to be a challenge at times.
What are the different types of wood chisels?
The chisel is commonly known to be a tool used by carpenters and woodworkers to carve out wood, usually in solid slabs for furniture, molding, cabinets, etc. The three types of chisel are:
Flat: These chisels are used to remove a large chunk of wood and, as such, have a wider striking surface that’s also flat.
Round: Round chisels are used to shape wood and are usually smaller in diameter compared to flat chisels with a tapered blade.
Oblique: Also called bevel-edge chisels or scrub chisels, oblique chisels have a beveled edge, which is used to fine-tune woodwork.
Other tools like spoke shaves, scrapers, and rounding chisels are also commonly used in woodworking and usually follow the types of chisels mentioned.
Are VonHaus chisels any good?
Yes, VonHaus Chisels are decent; with the 16-ounce model being among the best. We love how comfortable the handle feels. It’s just the right size.
They are also heavy enough to allow for sufficient force to drive the chisel without feeling like it’s tiring your hands and wrists, causing blisters or extreme pain. We also love that these chisels have a perfectly good lifetime warranty.
Conclusion
Wood chisels have been used in woodworking for hundreds of years, and they are still as necessary as ever. The key thing to remember when buying wood chisels is that they are primarily for softwoods. This means you’re better off using a metal chisel for any kind of joinery with hardwoods. Keep in mind the type of wood you work with most often as you make your selection for the best wood chisel for you.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Narex 6 pc Set 6 mm | Best Overall | |
| Stanley 16-150 150 Series Short Blade 3-Piece Wood Chisel Set | Budget Pick | |
| STANLEY Sweetheart Chisels Set | Upgrade Pick | |