7 Best Wood Chisels to Enjoy Today | Buyer’s Guide

However, nobody is to blame here. There is a wide variety of alternatives in the market, but there isn't enough buyer information out there that helps in telling a good chisel kit from a bad one. 

That's why we've enlisted some of the best wood chisel kits you'll find in the market these days, with a detailed breakdown of their core strengths and areas of improvement. Also, we've added a brief buyer's guide so that you know which criteria to consider while buying a wood chisel kit.

So, let's get into it, shall we?

Best Wood Chisels

Here's the list of the 7 best wood chisels to enjoy today—avoid wasting your investment and find the perfect chisel with our expert recommendations and buyer's guide.

1. Stanley 16-401 Bailey Woodworking Chisel Set - Best for Professional Woodcutting

When it comes to safety and accuracy in woodcutting, the brand that the masses trust is none other than Stanley Tools Inc. We've recently had the opportunity to test the Stanley 16-401 chisel set, and we can't wait to share the deets with you. Apart from its sassy looks, this unit also promises impressive durability and performance.

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STANLEY Chisel Set, 5-Piece (16-401)

• Micro-precision grind for superior sharpness out of the box
• Blade lacquered for corrosion protection Hardwood handle for...

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Why did we like it?

To be honest, if it weren't for the VonHaus unit, this would have been our first recommendation for you. That being said, the most significant advantage that this product has over the VonHaus chisel kit is that these blades arrive at you pre-sharpened, which saves you from all the hard work before the actual woodcutting job.

Furthermore, these blades arrive protected with a temporary high-quality lacquer coating, which prevents them from being damaged from corrosion, or while being transported. In terms of usability, these blades are quite efficient and durable. 

Now, although the VonHaus kit comes with a wooden case, this product comes with a leather pouch for storage. So more or less, it gives decent competition to our previous suggestion and makes an ideal chisel kit.

What could have been better?

To begin with, we found this device a little pricey for a 5 pc chisel kit as VonHaus is already offering a 10 pc kit at a much lower price. Furthermore, it upsets us that the blades need to be sharpened too often. Unluckily, the package does not come along with a sharpener, which makes the job a little harder. 

2. Narex 4-pc Wood Chisel Set 863010 - Best for Durability and Efficiency

We don't expect everyone to be familiar with Narex, as this brand hasn't been one of the most famous names in the market. However, if you care less about brands and more about durability and efficiency, you have to give the Narex 4 pc Wood Chisel kit a try. 

Not only does this unit assure you professional-level strength and accuracy, but it is also one of the best-looking blades we've come across till now.

Narex Czech Steel 4 piece set 6 mm (1/4"), 12 mm (1/2"), 20...

• Made by a small tool manufacturer in the Czech Republic
• Blades are made from fine-grained, nicely tempered...

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Why did we like it?

For those who aren't ready to settle for anything less than premium-quality chisels, the Narex 4 pc Wood Chisel set stands out as a significant option to consider. These blades are built with industrial-grade chrome manganese steel, which speaks for the durability of this product.

We were warned that we might need to sharpen the blades, but luckily the blades came to us pre-sharpened with a magnificent edge. This was a rather surprising situation for us, as the manufacturers advertise the blades to be otherwise. Nonetheless, it's a delight that there are such exceptions with this particular unit.

Now coming to the design, it's pretty ergonomic and comes with a wooden handle that lessens the risk of hurting yourself while using the blades. So, although it isn't the best chisel kit out there, it's good enough to satisfy your basic needs.

What could have been better?

What good is a kit without a decent storage space? Yes, the biggest inconvenience of this product is that it doesn’t come with a storage case, unlike our previous recommendations. This way, storing the blades becomes a hassle. Who knows, you may even lose a few in the course if you're not careful enough.

3. Stanley 16-150 3-pc Wood Chisel Combo Kit - Best Value for Money

After testing the Stanley 16-150 3 pc chisel kit, we were quite eager to test the 16-150 kit. We believe that it's safe to say this product is every bargain hunter's delight. So, if you're looking for the best value products for a while, you should consider trying this product.

STANLEY Chisel Set, 150 Series, Short Blade, Wood, 3-Piece...

• Mpn: 16-150
• Country of manufacture: China

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Why did we like it?

First things first, it is nearly impossible to find a chisel kit as efficient as the 16-150 unit within such a low budget. Due to its low budget, we won't mislead you into believing that this kit would last you a lifetime. However, it is a good option to consider if you're searching for chisels for a short-term project or two. 

Frankly, the Stanley 16-150 is more or less the compact version of their 16-401 unit. The biggest similarity that we've noticed is just like the 16-401 unit; the 16-150 unit also comes with a lacquer coating for temporary protection.

This product comes with polypropylene handles, which is apparently due to its lower budgetary constraints. Although it isn't as durable as wood, it's good enough for short-term work. The blade is also built with good-quality metal that allows us to sharpen this blade up to its hilt. 

What could have been better?

As we know that this product is seriously cheap, it's somewhat futile to expect any fancy features from it. However, after using this product, we've noticed that the chisels are not the best at holding an edge. We're guessing maybe that's why the manufacturers have allowed the blades to be sharpened up to the hilt. 

4. Marketty 12-pc Professional Chisel Kit

For those who are always intrigued by the best value products, the Marketty 12 pc Professional Chisel Kit is an efficient unit that comes under a very reasonable price range. This chisel kit comes packed as an ideal option for professional woodcutters, considering how versatile it is.

MARKETTY Wood Carving Chisels Sets - 12 Pcs, DIY Wood...

• {Creative gift for children and family} As a gift for...
• {Low-cost starter set} Chisel length: 9cm, chisel thickness:...

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Why did we like it?

The Marketty chisel kit is unarguably one of the most versatile professional kits you'll find under a considerably low price range. For starters, this kit comes with 12 different chisels, which guarantees higher versatility than our topmost recommendation, the VonHaus 10 pc kit.

Coming directly to its nitty-gritty, this chisel kit arrives at you with a sharpened factory edge. The product is also considerably durable, thanks to its high-quality carbon steel build material. Overall, it's guaranteed that despite its low price, this product will last you for a long time.

As a bonus, unlike the Narex 4 pc chisel kit, this unit comes with a carrying case for storage. Now we wouldn't say that it's the best-looking case we've across yet; but on the bright side, it's not disappointing either. 

What could have been better?

We've noticed that although the kit comes with a pre-sharpened edge, it is not sharp enough to get the job done with precision. Ultimately, we had to sharpen it on our own to have the blades working at its best. On top of that, the product comes with very short handles, which makes it difficult to hold and use for a long time. 

5. Irwin Tools Marples Woodworking Chisel Kit

Irwin Tools, one of the best-selling global manufacturers of carpentry tools, has recently launched its Marples Woodworking chisel kit. After having the opportunity to test this unit personally, we can say that it's one of the most versatile tools in the market right now. 

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IRWIN Marples Chisel Set for Woodworking, 6-Piece...

• Slim, contoured handle for added control, precision and...
• Design for use with a wooden mallet or the palm of the hand

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Why did we like it?

To begin with, this kit offers a wide range of blades that altogether assures us of high precision and convenience. This way, you can easily make shape tenons or mortises or make dovetails with this product.

We've noticed that the robust structure of this unit allows it to withstand the force of hammers or mallets, making it more convenient for woodcutting jobs. Furthermore, this product is built with carbon steel, which gives it decent strength and lengthens your durability by a great deal.

What we've loved the most about this product is how much user control it provides us, every time. The blades are also not very hard to sharpen, which is unfortunately not the case with most of its competitors.

What could have been better?

The main disadvantage of this product is that although the handles make this product quite ergonomic, it needs to be tuned too often. Otherwise, it creates inconvenience while the chisel is being used.

6. WorkPro 3-pc Wood Chisel Kit

Nobody understands the essentials of craftsmanship better than WorkPro Tools. The brand has recently launched its new 3 pc compact wood chisel kit, which is already competing with the major players in the market. So, what exactly makes this product so demanding these days?

Let's find out.

HANYWIL 3-piece Wood Chisel Set, Cr-V Construction,...

• Drop forged chrome-vanadium steel blade for durability and...
• Bevel Edge for woodworking carving multi-purpose use,...

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Why did we like it?

Not all of us are professional woodcutters. Some of us are just looking for low-budget tools that can be useful for completing our tasks in a short time. This product stands out as a potential option for personal use. However, just like the Irwin Tools kit, we do not recommend this product for professional use.

The tool is heat-tempered, which is instrumental in maintaining the blade's sharpness by assuring that the bevel edges are adequately inclined. On top of that, we are also quite impressed with the materials that this blade is built with. The proper mix of vanadium steel and chrome makes this unit one of the sturdiest blades we've tested by far. 

We've found one more similarity between the Irwin tools kit and this unit, i.e., these blades can also withstand the driving force of hammers. That being said, convenience is undoubtedly the USP of this product. If you have basic expectations and a medium budget, go for this product. 

What could have been better?

The first thing that we expect when we buy anything is durability. However, the WorkPro unit thumbs its nose in this elementary criterion. It’s because the product doesn't come along with protective caps to safeguard the blades. Neither does this product come with a carrying case, which is a little disappointing.

7. REXBETI 10-pc Premium Wood Chisel Kit

The penultimate recommendation of our list, the REXBETI 10 pc Premium unit, is one of the most preferred wood chisel kits by professional woodcutters. It offers a wide array of features under a reasonable budget, which gives it a higher advantage against most of its competing products in the market.

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REXBETI 10pcs Premium Wood Chisel Set, 6pcs Wood Chisel with...

• 6 piece wood chisel set - Contains: 1/4in (6mm), 1/2in...
• CR-V steel blade - Heat-treated, chrome vanadium steel alloy...

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Why did we like it?

The REXBETI Chisel kit, one of the highest-rated products in the market, features a set of 10 versatile blades and tools that come quite handy for professionals. The blades are built with industrial vanadium steel, which is one of the highest-quality steels in the market. 

We've tested the chisels on the toughest of wooden materials we could find, and we're delighted with how the blades cut through them with precision. Furthermore, the blades also come with bevel edges that make trimming a lot quicker and simpler. Overall, the chisel kit offers a very satisfying user experience.

Now, the most important similarity that this product shares with the VonHaus 10 pc chisel kit is that these tools can also be hit with hammers or mallets. Just to be sure that it doesn't inflict any damage to the blades, a durable metal cap has been added for protection. Overall, if we compare, this kit is the stiffest competition the VonHaus 10 pc Chisel Kit could face in the market.

What could have been better?

The main reason why the product can't beat the VonHaus kit is that although both feature a sharpening stone, it is challenging to use the stone that this kit offers. This way, it becomes harder to restore the sleek sharpness of the blade, which is a little disappointing.

Best Chisel Kits Comparison Table

Buying Guide For The Best Chisel Kit

We've created this buyer's guide for your convenience so that you can take note of the most important factors to consider before you select a chisel kit. 

We'll be starting with the purpose of using a wood chisel kit, followed by a brief breakdown of its essential features. So, grab a pen and a pad quickly!

Purpose of a Wood Chisel Kit

We'd start by reminding you that woodcutting is one of the most versatile jobs one can find, and it requires different tools to address specific tasks with precision. On that note, let's not generalize wood chisels as a standard tool, as there are levels to it.

Bench Chisel

Before getting into the complex ones, let us introduce you to the standard chisel, aka the bench chisel. These come in handy at more or less every type of work. However, it may appear a little big for small-scale woodcutting jobs.

Butt Chisel

These are compact versions of the standard bench chisels. However, they are nothing less efficient. These are rather more comfortable to use for completing small projects. 

Chopping chisel

A chopping drill is what you'd call a portable alternative for an electric drill or a mortise machine. As the name itself implies, these chisels are used to make chopping wood easier and quicker.

Corner chisel

Now, a chopping chisel cannot be used to smoothen out the square corners of a wooden showpiece. This sounds like a job for, you guessed it right, a corner chisel. Although they aren't our best recommendation for heavy-duty tasks, they come pretty handily while adding subtle finishing touches.

Crank-Neck Chisel

This is a unique sort of chisel that, although it isn't recommended for either cutting or trimming, is useful for getting rid of excess materials from wooden surfaces. Moreover, it removes the excess materials pretty quickly in comparison with the other chisels, due to which it is a must-have item in every kit.

Skew Chisel

The truly passionate and determined woodcutters mainly use this one. The USP of this type of chisel is its angled blade, which helps it in reaching smaller and tighter areas to highlight the details and add finesse to your project. Also, these types of chisel can be further divided into two types, i.e., left-sided and right-sided skew chisels. 

Now, let's have a look at the main features that make an efficient wood chisel kit.

Size

First things first, the size of the blades is essential, as you'd be needing different sizes for different purposes. If you're working on smaller woodcutting/carving projects, you must not go for large-sized chisels and vice versa. Overall, the significance of size is best recognized while working on small and large-scale projects.

Quality of the blade

As evident as it is, a chisel kit shouldn't be worth your attention if it doesn't offer you high-quality blades. Mind you, when we speak of quality, we are not only referring to its build material. It is also crucial for the chisel to have a non-slip handle grip as well. 

Although, it's also imperative for the blades to be built with good-quality steel material so that it lasts for a longer time.

Edge

Fundamentally, the blades need to provide and, most importantly, hold a proper edge. If the chisel fails to excel at these essential criteria, its overall efficiency value drops by a great deal in an instant. I mean, what good is a blade that fails at being sharp?

Conclusion

Woodcutting isn't an easy job, and it requires a ton of patience and skills. However, your skills won’t be of any use if you don't have the right equipment to practice your talent. This is why owning a great wood chisel kit is very important.

From our detailed exploration of the seven best wood chisels, here are the top three expert recommendations:

Our first recommendation, the Stanley 16-401 Bailey Woodworking Chisel Set, is a remarkable choice for professional woodcutting. Despite a higher price tag and the need to sharpen the blades regularly, its robust build and ergonomic design set it apart. Arriving pre-sharpened with a high-quality lacquer coating, the Stanley 16-401 Bailey is an ideal option for those wanting to strike a balance between aesthetics, durability, and performance.

Next, we advocate for the Narex 4-pc Wood Chisel Set 863010, especially for those seeking durability and efficiency. Made of industrial-grade chrome manganese steel, these blades made a great impression with their strength, accuracy, and ergonomic design. Even though it lacks a storage case, Narex 4-pc Wood Chisel Set is a good option for anyone prioritizing endurance and efficacy before anything else.

Finally, the Stanley 16-150 3-pc Wood Chisel Combo Kit provides excellent value for money. It may not be the most durable chisel kit you'll find, but its affordable price point makes it perfect for short-term projects. Other noteworthy features include uniform blade hardening and a lacquer coating. Despite its inability to hold a proper edge, Stanley 16-150 is the right choice for anyone on a tight budget who doesn't want to compromise on quality.

In selecting a wood chisel, one must consider various factors such as usage, material quality, price, and personal preference. Whether you are a professional carpenter or a DIY enthusiast, having the right tool for the job can make all the difference in the world. Each chisel in this article is unique in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, but they all offer excellent quality, performance, and value for money. May this article serve as a starting point and guidepost in your journey of choosing the best wood chisel for you.

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