The Best Chisel Ever Made Short and Sweet Version

The Great chisel test! 42 chisels placed head to head with actual testing on 6 different variables. with this data, you can find out what the best chisel is for you personally not just what a talking head likes.

Chisels Tested:
Aldi : no longer avalable
HF Wooden: Only in stores

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[jurikristjouw]

2:51 is a Nooitgedagt chisel. It is a brand from the Netherlands (IJlst in Friesland) who made tools first (from Berg steel, which is a Swedish brand if I remember correct) and ice skates later on and got pretty famous for it. I own a few Nooitgedagt woodworking items and are really proud as a Dutch man to see you having one :-)

[kenthomas]

I invested in a great set of Lie-Nielsen socket chisels years ago, and EVERY TIME I use them I lose my mind because they simply do not remain socketed. I’ve tried every trick in the book and set them every time, but they just fall apart in my hand. Im sure it’s me, not the chisels themselves — the quality is excellent, but I give up. Socket is not for me.

I just ordered a new set of Narex Richter tang chisels - this video helped me make my final selection. Thanks!!!

[brooklynpaul]

Exhausted just watching the video, but now I know where to go when I need a good chisel. Thank, James.

[glynluff]

Yes but from the U.K. let’s get this straight. Most people buy a chisel buy whatever they can obtain at the time which is often old cast steel. The rest is modern but moderate on price. These will be sharpened by the average owner to entirely the wrong angle which is why you have your channel, which we all enjoy, to rectify! Alternatively you might persuade some to buy a sharpening aid which they will ruin their stone with because they will roll it back and forth we know this walking around flea markets! Now you have finished roaring with laughter and reaching for a can of beer realise we have all enjoyed your discourse.

[williamadams-rste]

Appreciate the work involved making this test along with the spreadsheet. I bought a set of the Stanley SH from Home Depot on a special promotion a few years back, $16.00 to the door, I rank them #1 for the sandwich $$ spent. haha

[zacharyohare]

Thank you ! As a new interest in the craft, I want to start with something cheap enough that I won't be heartbroken if I screw it up or something, but not something so poor it makes things difficult or I spend way more time sharpening than I'd like. I'm a bit disappointed that the Irwin Marples didn't do better- as they're available very reasonably in my local stores. I suppose I'll be looking at the Narex or some of the Japanese chisels. Good to see some of the mid pack options are pretty widely available as well.

[alexanderguestguitars]

Can't speak for all the chisels, but I have a set of Kirschen chisels which are excellent. I have a set of Narex chisels but I bought the wrong handled ones. The handles are the ones which are waisted in the middle. 'Orrible shape. Doesn't feel at all right in the hand. I've since realised just how good the London pattern handles are. I also have a set of German MHG chisels I bought from an online tool shop in Berlin. They are really good. But one thing I should mention about Robert Sorby chisels; I bought an inch chisel once to use as my main bench chisel. It was FANTASTIC. But there was a catch. As I used it and sharpened it, it inevitably wore down in length. Over the course of the 18 months I was using it, I sharpened it enough where the little 6mm piece of hardened steel they add-on to the end of the chisel, like a little shim for the cutting edge, was ground almost completely away. In fact the remnant just chipped off as I was using it. What was left was just the softer steel of the shank of the blade. And I believe all Robert Sorby chisels are made the same way. So for a set you use rarely, they are great, but frequent sharpening will wear out the hardened steel cutting edge which is only 6mm deep (long). So for your main 'benchie' you use every day, best get another brand, or calculate in having to replace it once or twice.

[OswaldoAgurto]

What a new year gift! You did it again. Thank you once again for sharing your time, passion and ultimately, your life with all of us. The best to you this new year!

[MintStiles]

Any even (very) moderately priced chisels are fine TBH. They have different properties and you should really choose the one for your job and have the appropriate sharpening for that job. You are simply not gonna use a paring chisels to chop mortises, nor are you going to sharpen a mortise chisel as you would one you use to clean dovetails. I think the feeling is much more important. I like the Bergs, but am fully aware that even a relatively new Marples blue chip can do the job pretty okay. There isn't magic really.

[SwitchAndLever]

Glad I could help! This is a great video James, interesting conclusions for sure. I am a devout EA Berg collector and user, but you do raise some great points about hardening having good days and bad days so to speak back in those days. However, steel back then was also simpler, nowadays we see a lot more exotic steel alloys in knives and chisels which we didn't do then. This also means hardening was a bit of a simpler task, even industrially. There also were different collections of EA Berg chisels, even during the post-war red plastic handle phase. I don't know if there is a difference, beyond just the handle, between plastic and wooden handled chisels of contemporary age. Unlike you I love socketed chisels though, not a huge fan of tangs, but socketed chisels are hard to come by here.

Will be checking out the longer video when I get a chance, but really good to see this summary video as well 🙂

[MartinPaulsen]

Thank you for making this extensive test. I have been waiting for the video. Looking forward to seeing the lengthy version. Happy new years!

[dr.christianrapp]

Thank you for that great market analysis, review!
Two comments: The Aldi chisels, advocated by Paul Sellers were made my MHG Tools in Eastern Germany as far as I know. They have a series of very defined chisels for a competitive price (nearly ready for use, thin sides good for dovetails). I like the company being a small family run one. I am using their refined chisels and a set of 6 was around 100 Euro I think. Paul has some recent blog posts on the MHG chisels.
The Narex Chisels are cheaper in Germany it seems (Fine Tools, Meyer Tools). Around 30 Euro per chisel the premium ones.

[sc]

Nooitgedagt, it's a former Dutch ice skate company which also made very good chisels with E.A. Berg steel. They once were the leading company for chisels and other woodworking tools. The old chisels were one of the best you could buy, but sadly enough, they didn't proceed with this high quality steel. I've collected a complete set of those old quality chisels from 5mm to 70mm over the years, and I love working with them.

[brianmoore]

Another great chisel review. Bought a set of Richters based on your reviews and have not regretted it.

[grepora]

If you only use a chisel once in a while or need a "beater" chisel, the 4-pack of Harbor Freight chisels on sale for $4 is hard to beat (no pun intended).

[kevholmes]

Interesting results I’ve a set of the new pfiel and wasn’t at all impressed with first use but have been more so over time I’ve also used the Narex and just not been pleased at all
The sorbys you rated way down at 28 and I love them for durability on hardwoods I guess how you feel about your chisels is not so much scientific as subjective to your own uses I pick up one’s I’m comfortable with for different jobs
But as usual loved the vid and presentation

[jimmylovesbikes]

Hardness / Durability / Chipping / Rolling over ... so satisfying to hear you speak about this. Thank you so much for you efforts, amazing work.

[plakor]

I gotta speak up for the cheapie cheapie roll-over chisels. I use mine all the time, for unspeakably abusive tasks. They are very handy for those jobs that will ruin a good chisel. So they have their place. As long as you have some better ones for more careful work.

[sgsax]

I've had a set of those Craftsman chisels forever and never been happy with them. I've only recently learned how to get a decent edge on them, so that helps, but they're still not great. I've been eyeing the Narex for a while now. I may need to treat myself this year to something that's actually enjoyable to use. Happy New Year and thanks for sharing!

[arvana]

I bought a set of Narex Richter after watching your first chisel comparison video. They are definitely an excellent value. Now I'm curious to try some of the other top choices!