5 Best Woodworking Chisels Reviews in 2024 with Buying Guide

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by John Patterson

Woodworking had been one of those ancient professions that had seen tons of turns and twists.

A complete revolution has occurred in woodworking tools in the last few decades.

But, in this emerging reign of electric tools, a few hand tools are still equally valuable for carpenters.

And wood chisel is one of the top ones.

In this article, we’ve got a sole mission to provide hands-on best woodworking chisel reviews, where we’d explain every excellent feature of the dominating woodworking chisel models of the market.

Hop on the wagon, and let’s start-

Best Woodworking Chisels Reviews in 2024

#1. Stanley 16-791 Sweetheart 750 Series Socket Chisel Set Review

Stanely had been a trusted name for carpenters and woodworkers for quite a few decades now. And all of their brand excellence resembles this #1 ranked best woodworking chisel, namely Stanley 16-791 Sweetheart 750 Series Socket Chisel Set.

It’s a classic Stanely-style set of the best wood chisel with a thin but powerfully built blade. The hornbeam wooden handle is promised to be durable, and that is what every woodworker, carpenter, and DIYer looks for.

Let’s read the Stanley sweetheart chisel review and go through the facts that have combined earned the #1 rank (best overall) for this wood chisel.

Features and Benefits

It’s Made of Strong, Hardened High Carbon Steel
The best part of this wood chisel is, of course, it’s the blade. The blade is made of high-carbon steel. In addition, the bevel sides of it are made to be tapered for better cutting ability.

It comes with a Thin Blade
The blade dimension comes to be thinner than most of the similar wood chisel models. And as you know, a thin blade always cuts better. And as long as it’s made of hardened material, the chance of getting bent overpressure is almost zero.

A Protective Bag
To keep the wood chisels perfect and safe in order, there comes a bag that you can carry with you anywhere. And if you talk about the quality of the bag, users are pretty happy with that as well.

The Classic Stanely Style
Over the years, hand tools from the inventory of Stanely had been able to hold their position as a unique touch of smoothness. And with this high-quality wood chisel, Stanely has once again done that. The classic Stanely style that this brand has portrayed in this wood chisel is entirely off the mark. And no need to mention that woodworkers love it.

4 Piece and 8 Piece Design
It’s true that you can’t get enough of your woodwork just with one wood chisel, and you need multiple of them. But when providing multiple wood chisel sets, brands are likely to stick to either four or six pieces sets. But Stanely had come up with two sets of 4 and 8 pieces consecutively.

Verdict
Hopefully, you’ve got enough reasons from our reviews and placed them on your buying shortlist. If you desire a blend of price and quality from a set of wood chisels, this is the go-to pick for you.

#2. Narex (Made in the Czech Republic) Premium 8 pc set

This is the first product on this list from the brand of Narex. If you have not heard of the brand before, you might be new to the world of woodworking.

This Narex (Made in the Czech Republic) Premium 8 pc set is for accurate professional woodworking, and both handle and blade are made to be premium. The sharp and sleek cutting blade is perfect for both softwood and hardwood.

Read more detail about Narex wood Chisels Reviews.

Let’s take you through more of its features and benefits; hopefully, it will leave you with a lasting impression.

Features and Benefits

Fine-Grained Blade
Like any other Narex Wood Chisel, the best part of this high-quality wood chisel is the blade. If you look closely at the blade, you will see how the blade is made of grained and tempered metal. The metal is known as manganese chrome steel. And to add more shades of excellence, the blade is hardened to RC 59.

8 Different Sizes, Combined in One Box
The set of this wood chisel contains eight different units, each of a different size. Starting from ¼ inches, there are 1.25 inches sizes available. No matter whether it’s a random joint creation or detailing on a wood surface, these settings should contain all you need.

25 Degree Bevel Ground
For every woodworker, the bevel degree plays an important role, and this model would satisfy you to the fullest. The bevel degree is 25 in this wood chisel, which seems sufficient.

Super Hard Hornbeam-made Handle
The materialistic property of the handle should be another critical factor when it comes to choosing the best wood chisel. You will be happy to know that this handle is made of super-hard European hornbeam. And the lovely texture that the handle comes with is another plus point.

Verdict
This might not be the ideal suggestion when you are up for hammering this wood chisel with a metal hammer or mallet because the handle-head isn’t flat. In addition, the price point is also over the average range.

But as long as brand value and product quality are concerned, this high-quality wood chisel is one of the finest ones that we could find in the market. Hopefully, you’ll be okay with that.

#3. Narex Premium 5 Piece Set Paring Chisels

As the second peak of this list, we have got a product from an international brand. Narex has been producing import-class tools for quite some years now.

The wood chisel is called Narex Premium 5 Piece Set Paring Wood Chisels and is quite a hardened model. For both woodworking and metalworking, this should be a perfect fit.

Below, we are talking about every detail of this product and giving you a first idea about the features and their benefits-

Features and Benefits

Chrome Manganese Blades
The blade is the most crucial part, and all the actions happen with a high-quality wood chisel. In the case of this product, the wood chisel blade is made of Chrome Manganese. And the whole blade is well-grained and nicely tempered. To last to 100 operations, the blade is also made to be complicated.

A handful of sizes
One fixed size of the best wood chisel is not always enough. For different kinds of woodwork, you need a reasonable variation in the size of the wood chisels. Keeping that in mind, Narex provided four variations in this model. The sizes are ¼ inches, ½ inches, ¾ inches, and 1.25 inches.

Super hard handle
The handle is an essential part of the wood chisel that every woodworking looks for. In the case of this model, the handle is made of highly stained and super hard European hornbeam. Regarding length, the handle is 5 3/4 inches long.

An excellent Edge with the perfect cross-section
The edge of this wood chisel with the blade is quite firmly fitted on the handle. They are correctly grounded, and the blade’s cross-section is what every woodworker would prefer.

It requires less Sharpening.
As we have told before, the material quality of this high-quality wood chisel is quite good.  And the blade itself is adequately hardened. So the frequency of sharpening is relatively less compared to other conventional models.

Verdict
We all know that woodworkers don’t have to deal with metals quite often. So if you are a regular woodworker, this high-quality wood chisel should be a good fit for all your woodworking projects.

#4. Irwin Tools Marples Woodworking Chisel Set

If you have been in the woodworking profession for quite some years now, you should hear of Irwin, the brand. When it comes to manufacturing hand tools, they are one of the industry leaders.

This time we have got a six-piece set of woodworking chisels; indeed, this wood chisel has already been quite familiar. Its significant popularity is that it’s super easy to control and create a precise cut. Instead of only cutting and shaping, woodworkers are used to using such kinds of chisels to create a design on wooden objects.

If you are a professional woodworker, we think you should have a look at the features below-

Features and Benefits

It is built to use with hand or palms
In many of the available models in the market, you can see that they are instructed to be used with hammers. But this one is an exceptional exception that can be used with hands or palms only. If you want, you can use a wooden mallet for extra force. But a metal mallet hammer is not recommended with this wood chisel.

High Carbon Steel Blade
A good quality blade is what a woodworker is looking for in any wood chisel. This time Irwin Tools will bring a smile to your face. Because the blade of the wood chisel is made of high-quality Carbon Steel. On top of that, it hardened to the 58-HRC level. The benefit of such a hardened blade is that it will be way better regarding edge retention when you compare this one with any other convenient wood chisel on the market.

It’s a perfect tool for traditional woodworking.
A few moments ago, we mentioned that this kind of wood chisel is quite beautiful when creating designs on wood pieces. Also, if we have to do traditional woodworking, this is the ideal model you should choose.

A set of 6 different sizes
Although this is not a unique feature, we appreciate the way Irwin maintained to help you with these different sizes of wood chisels. The sizes are 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″, and 1″. You can do with almost any kind of wood in applications with so many sizes in hands.

A wooden case to protect the Chisels
For any work, you have to carry all 6 of the wood chisels with you. You will be given a wooden case to keep them safe and out of the risk of getting lost.

Sharpening tools and combination square
The models we picked up for you contain only the chisel set. But if you want, you can avail of a set of sharpening tools and a combination square. The costs will be higher, per the price of the sharpening tools and the combination square.

Verdict
It’s not always when you use the best wood chisel only to create hollow passages or joints. You often have to use a wood chisel to find art designs on the wood pieces. If that’s your scenario, Irwin Tools Marple’s high-quality Woodworking Chisel Set Is a perfect two for you.

#5. WORKPRO 3-piece Wood Chisel Set

We are eventually at the 5th best pick on this list, and this is the last. At this point, we decided to pick up the best within a low budget. As you know, the usual wood chisel sets come with either 4 or higher wood chisel models. But that’s not always the case.

The wood chisel set we are talking about is a three-piece set, and the name is WORKPRO 3-piece best Wood Chisel Set. The material of the blade is Chrome vanadium, and the durability of the blade is overwhelming. The bi-material soft handle is also quite an exception.

It has some more features that we want to draw your attention at-

Features and Benefits

Drop Forged Chrome Steel
Like any other wood chisel, the blade quality is the first and foremost part to look at. In the case of this chisel, the blade is made of Chrome Vanadium steel. On top of that, it is further heat-treated to prevent edge retention.

It’s A Perfect Fit for Both Hardwood and Softwood
Many wood chisels seem perfect for softwood but are not a good fit for hardwood. And vice versa. But this is one of those few models that is a good fit for hardwood and softwood. On top of that, even laminated woods are a good fit for working with this wood chisel.

It’s ready for Heavy Pounding.
Not many wood chisels are prepared for heavy hammering when you need to work on hardwoods. But the construction of the but of this wood chisel is an exception. The steel-made butt is ready to take any pounding with a mallet or hammer.

Three Different Sizes at One Pace
As we have told you before, this pack contains a set of three different sizes of wood chisels. The sizes are ½ inches, ¾ inches, and 1 inch. The blades of all three models are full-sized. Also, you have a blade guard for safe operation.

Bi-material Durable Handle
The handle of this wood chisel is one of the most beautiful parts of its feature. As you can see in the picture, the materials are combined into two, and it feels too comfortable to work with this tool. Especially when your hand is wet or sweaty, you won’t face any issues handling the wood chisel.

Verdict
That was the last product on the list, but if you’re stuck with a low-end budget, this should be at the top of your priority list. Although you will not be overwhelmed with a good variety of sizes, for semi-professional woodworking, that seems not to be a problem.

High-Quality Wood Chisels Buyer’s Guide

To end up with a good high-quality woodworking chisel, you need to know every buying aspect of the product. As there are so many brands and products in the market, it would be tough to make a final choice.

However, we have come up with a list of buying a guide you need to consider. Go through the list below-

The Blade

As you already know, the blade is a part of a wood chisel where all the actions will take place. To deal with all kinds of woods, you need a sleek and thin blade made of hard metal. The most common metal that is used to prepare blades is steel. In some of the wood chisels, the blade is forged and heat-treated. For long-lasting performance, we prefer that kind of blade.

The handle

The blade is placed on the handle, and that’s where you must grab the wood chisel.  To work with metal mallets or heavy hammers, the end of the handle should be flat. Also, make sure that the handle can undergo heavy hammering.

The safety

Working with wood chisels often can leave you with slip-offs, which can eventually turn into injuries. Some brands are likely to be aware of the situation and used to provide safety guards along with the blade. If you don’t have years of experience in woodworking, we prefer you to start with such blades.

The size

As you can see in our list, 5 out of 5 of the models come with a set of wood chisel size variations.  This is because, for different kinds of operations and woodwork pieces, you will need a different size of the wood chisel.  Some models come with three dimensions, four sizes, six sizes, and even eight sizes.  Based on the variety of uses, you need to choose this number.

The comfort

When dealing with a wood chisel, you must always grab the handle with your hands. If the handle is likely to slip off, that’s not the situation you want. We prefer you to have a model that is not so slippery or smooth. Also, keep the comfort issue in mind.

The Price-Quality Ratio

Of course, you care about the number of dollars you pay for the wood chisel, and it’s worth it. For good quality material, it’s OK to be a few bucks more.

The Carrying Bag

Some of the models we have discussed come with a carrying case or a carrying bag, which is also essential. Professional woodworkers are likely to carry their tools around and need to ensure that the tools are in a safe condition.  A carrying case is a must to have the item in this regard.

Wood chisels Use

Wood chisels are one of the vastly used carpentry tools around the globe. However, there has been a significant revolution regarding technology and tactics. But some vintage tools like high-quality woodworking chisels have still been able to claim their importance.

However, the usage of these tools in woodworking is noted down below-

Cutting

The most common uses of wood chisels refer to removing wood from any workpiece. The work area can be large or small, but how we rough out space with a chisel is almost the same.

Chopping

Sometimes, wood chisels are used to remove a chunk of wood from a particular part of a wooden surface. And then, we cut across the workpiece. The use of chopping mainly had been in creating joints.

Paring

Paring indicates jobs where you have to shave or trim a particular wood portion. In the case of the conjunction of lightweight and intricate wood pieces, paring is widely used. Also, paring is widely used in the case of the hinge joint, finishing, or sculpting.

Scraping

If the workpiece has unwanted coatings, scraping with wood chisels is what we do. For this sort of job, a very sharp kind of wooden chisel is required.

Creating Joints

One of the most familiar works in carpentry is forming joints. And wood chisels are the most widely used tool for that purpose.

Let’s have a look at what type of joints you can create with the help of wood chisels-

Mortise and Tenon Joints

To hold two pieces of wood together at an angle of 90 degrees, mortise and tenon joints are used. You have to measure and create a dead-end hole to make the joint.

Dovetail Joints

Dovetail joints usually hold on two pieces of wood together at an angle of 90 degrees. You must create a set of pins and tails to strengthen the joint.

Housing Joints

Carpenters also call these types of joints ‘Dado’ joints. In this process, a slot is cut into a wooden piece, which houses the second piece of wood. You may find such joints in bookshelves or showcases.

Butterfly Joints

Butterfly joints are created and used to join two pieces of flat wood. A joint between the edges is formed, and the flat joint looks like a butterfly.

Woodworking Chisels Sharpening Techniques

With regular use of the chisel, the cutting edge gets dull. The only option you have left out is to sharpen them properly. At this point in this article, we will show you the exact steps.

Before getting into the steps, here is the list of items that you need-

#1. A honing guide.
#2. A sharpening stone.
#3. A Nagura stone.

Step 1: Setup the honing guide and keep the angle facing down. You must ensure that the honing guide is tight enough to hold the chisel correctly.

Step 2: Take the sharpening stone out of the water and place it where it won’t slide all over. Now set your chisel onto the stone,  and apply pressure with your thumbs.

Step 3: After 5 or 6 passes, white out the blade. It should be visible in the contact places where it had been sharpened. If you find any area of the chisel blade, repeat step 2 for that area.

Step 4: Observe your progress and check whether there is any groove.  Once you have a beautiful and sharp chisel blade, we are done with sharpening the best wood chisel.

Japanese Chisels vs. Western

Japanese bench serial is made complex and usually designed to be used with a steel-headed hammer. If you want to use it by hand, you can somehow do it. But you won’t get the best result. Regarding materialistic quality, Japanese chisels are pretty good.

Western chisels are what we can see daily in any carpentry. They usually come with a wooden handle and a metal blade. Not only in the western best woodworking, chisels of used in metal works as well. But if you ask me about the durability of western chisels, the School will be relatively less than the Japanese chisels.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. What are the best woodcarvings chisels?

Answer:  It is hard to answer that question in one word.  For wood carving chisels, we would advise you to grab the one with a nice blade, comfortable handle, and a reasonable size variation.  Based on whether you are using them to create joints or to create a design on workpieces, the size requirement may vary from woodworker to woodworker. We recommend Stanley 16-793 Sweetheart 750 Series Socket Chisel 8 Piece Set.

#2. What does a chisel look like?

Answer: A chisel looks like a metal blade placed on a wooden handle.  The size, material, and design may vary a lot in the blade and handle of the case.

#3. How to bevel wood by hand?

Answer: To bevel a wood by your hand, I need to take a chisel perfect for operating with a plastic hammer or mallet.  Once you have the right size, pounding the serial with the mallet with your hands will do the job fine.

#4. What are the best chisels for carpentry?

Answer: Carpenters have to deal with wood workpieces and sometimes with metal workpieces as well.  So we would recommend any carpenter get a chisel capable of taking a heavy hammering. Our choices are:

#1. Stanley 16-150 150 Series Short Blade 3-Piece Wood Chisel Set.
#2. VonHaus 8 pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel Set.

#5. What is a socket chisel?

Answer: Socket chisels are one particular kind of chisel, which are used to create a butterfly joint.  If you don’t know what a butterfly joint is, go to one of our previous sections in this article when we have explained it.

#6. Who are the Japanese chisel makers?

Answer: Japanese chisels are nothing but a particular chisel with a different blade and handle design.  In ancient days, Japanese chisels used to be prepared in Japan only.  But now, many American manufacturers are preparing industry-grade Japanese chisels.

#7. What is a firmer chisel used for?

Answer: Firmer chisels are one of the particular kinds created and used in woodworking detailing.  What I mean is when you have to create a specific design on any wooden surface, this kind of chisel will be used.

#8. How to chisel wood?

Answer: Read our step-by-step guide to know the detail about properly chiseling wood.

Final Verdict

Thanks for being to the very bottom of this article.

Hopefully, we have been able to deliver you every information you need throughout our Best woodworking chisel reviews.

To make a final choice, the remaining buying factors are in your hands.

Apart from the brand value, don’t forget to build a perfect bridge between the work you need to do with a chisel and what the chisel delivers to you.