The Best Wood Chisels for 2022
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Best Wood Chisels
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The versatility of these tools makes them indispensable for do-it-yourselfers, contractors, remodelers, and more. The ability to quickly and efficiently remove wood makes them suitable for a range of different applications. I use mine for everything around the house including door hinge and jam adjustments. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best wood chisels currently available.
UPDATED: April 28, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the DEWALT 3-Piece Side Strike set because it features a versatile side cutting edge and a durable hardened strike cap.
What is a chisel?
A chisel is a tool with a shaped blade on its end, for carving or cutting a hard material such as wood. The handles are typically made of wood or polypropylene. Chiseling involves forcing the blade into some material to cut it. They offer a variety of DIY uses, I find them extremely helpful when installing door hardware to get a perfect fit on the strike plate.
Rockwell Scale
Some models may mention “HRC” or “RC” with a number or range of numbers. This refers to the Rockwell Scale which is a measure of steel hardness. For example, HRC 58 means the hardness is 58 on the Rockwell Scale C. The higher the number the harder the steel and the lower the number the softer the steel. Most blades have a hardness of around 60 which provides a balance between being too brittle (high HRC) and too soft (low HRC). What is Rockwell Hardness and What Does it Actually Mean?
Handle Types
The handle is what provides the driving force either by hand, mallet, or hammer. Handles were traditionally constructed from wood however modern chisels feature handles made from rigid plastics, PVC, or hybrid materials. These materials offer several benefits over wood such as no risk of splitting and increased grip. That being said, wooden handles are still very popular and can typically be replaced if they break, which is not an option for most modern materials. Some handles feature a metal strike cap or plate at the back to reduce wear from a hammer or mallet.
Hammer vs. Mallet
Using a mallet over a hammer is beneficial because the mallet (typically made of wood, urethane, or rubber) allows for a larger striking area. This larger area allows you to focus on the cutting edge and less on where the mallet is hitting. It also reduces the risk of missing the end and hitting your hand, as can happen with a traditional hammer.
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Side Strike
In addition to the primary cutting blade at the end of the chisel, some models are equipped with a second cutting edge located on the side. This can be used for scraping edges or as a wider cutting tool when hit from the side. You can see a demonstration of this in the DEWALT video below.
Case
Most sets come with a case that helps to keep them organized. You can just grab the case and bring it to the site or the project and pick the chisel size as you are working. Also, if they are just rolling around in a drawer it would increase the risk of the cutting edges becoming dulled, which a case helps to prevent.
Woodworking
Woodworking chisels range from small hand tools for tiny details, to large chisels used to remove big sections of wood, in 'roughing out' the shape of a pattern or design. Also, it is helpful for making finishing touches after using a wood router.
Typically, in woodcarving, one starts with a larger tool, in some cases, even a wood axe is used and gradually progresses to smaller tools to finish the detail.
Note that the standard wood chisel or “bench chisel” is different than a turning tool used for a wood lathe. Typically a lathe chisel has a longer tang length for strength, for turning wood at high speed.
Now, on to the individual products. I’ve compiled a list of the top models available from well-known manufacturers including DEWALT, Irwin Tools, and more. Each set has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection.
So here is my list of The Best Wood Chisels for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: DEWALT 3-Piece Side Strike Wood Chisels
The DEWALT three-piece side strike chisel set features 1/4", 3/4", and 1" blades.
Equipped with a cutting edge on side of the blade for demolition work and for use as a scraper.
Features a hardened strike cap and large side strike surface for durability.
Includes hardened, tempered carbon chrome steel blades for edge retention.
Features a serrated cutting edge for added convenience.
Equipped with a curved, bi-material handle for comfort.
Check out this video overview of the DEWALT Side Strike Chisels Set:
Runner-up: Irwin Tools 6-Piece Marples Wood Chisels
The IRWIN Marples chisels are constructed from high carbon, hardened steel for sharpness and performance.
Features an edge that is sharpened to 58-61 HRC.
Retain an edge and stay sharper longer than previous IRWIN Marples chisels.
Equipped with a slim handle for increased comfort and control when in use.
Offer the ability to be used with a mallet or the palm of the hand.
Includes 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", and 1" chisels.
Comes with a wooden carrying case.
Best for Professionals: Narex 4-Piece Wood Chisels
The Narex blades are made from fine-grained, nicely tempered chrome-manganese steel and hardened to RC 59.
Comes with four chisels with the following sizes:
6 mm (1/4"), 12 mm (1/2"), 20 mm (13/16") and 26 mm (1 1/32").
Features tips that are ground at a 25-degree bevel.
Includes blades that are 4 3/4" to 5 1/2" long.
Features handles that are made from lacquered European Beech and are 5 1/2” long.
Features an overall length from 10 1/8" to 11".
Equipped with steel tangs and each handle has two ferrules for durability.
Must-have Accessory:
Don’t forget the mallet.
Best Kit: VonHaus 8-Piece Wood Chisels
The VonHaus 8 Piece Chisel Set features chrome vanadium steel alloy blades that are heat treated for long-lasting durability.
Equipped with ergonomically designed handles for comfort and control.
Features side bevels that are narrow to make it easier to sharpen.
Includes eight different common chisel sizes for a range of applications:
1/4", 1/2", 13/16", 1", 1-1/4", and 1-1/2".
Comes with a honing guide and aluminum oxide sharpening stone (120/200 grit).
Includes a storage case for easy transport and storage.
Best Value: Amazon Basics Wood Chisels
The Amazon Basics 4-piece chisel set features blades constructed from heat-treated, chrome vanadium steel alloy.
Equipped with a metal strike plate to reduce wear on the handles.
Includes the following chisel sizes*:
1/2 inch (13mm), 3/4 inch (19mm), 1 inch (25mm), and 1-1/4 inch (32mm).
Comes with a storage pouch to protect the blades.
*There is also another set available with chisels in the 1/4” to 1” size range.
Best for Beginners: Hurricane 4-Piece Wood Chisels
The Hurricane chisel set is designed for a range of DIY and woodworking tasks in the workshop or home.
Equipped with drop forged chrome vanadium steel blades for sharpness.
Includes four sizes: 1/4", 1/2'', 3/4'', and 1'' for a variety of applications.
Features a heat-treated cutting edge with narrow side bevels.
Features PVC transparent handles for durability when using a mallet or hammer.
Includes protective edge caps for safety and edge protection when in storage or transport.
Best Grip: DEWALT DWHT16063 4-Piece Wood Chisels
The DeWalt chisels are equipped with hardened, tempered chrome carbon-steel blades for edge retention.
Includes two-part grip with an ergonomically designed handle for comfort and control.
Equipped with a hardened strike cap for durability when using a hammer or mallet.
Features a lacquered coated blade for corrosion and rust resistance.
Feature a tip style designed for wood.
Best Premium Option: Stanley 16-791 4-Piece Wood Chisels
The Stanley Sweetheart line socket chisels are based on the classic 750 design.
Features blades constructed from high carbon steel for durability.
Equipped with narrow side bevels that make it easier to work on a project confined areas.
Feature a wide handle end that makes hitting it with a mallet safer and more efficient.
Set includes the following sizes: 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", and 1".
Comes with a leather pouch for safe storage and transport.
WORKPRO 3-Piece Wood Chisels
The Workpro chisels feature durable chrome vanadium blades with heat treatment for edge retention.
Equipped with bi-material handles that offer comfort and slip resistance.
Features a steel butt end on the handle to resist deformation from a hammer or mallet.
Features a bevel edge that is designed for a variety of DIY and carving uses.
Comes with three standard blade widths: 3/4", 1/2", 1".
Includes the chisel sizes etched on the blade for easy reference.
Best Budge Option: Stanley 16-150 3-Piece Wood Chisels
The Stanley 16-150 set features carbon-steel blades for durability and strength.
Equipped with black polypropylene handles to resist deformation from a mallet.
Features handles that absorb the shock from hammering.
Features durable precision ground cutting edges.
Equipped with heat tempered steel blades for long-lasting durability.
Features blades that are coated in lacquer to resist corrosion and rust.
Includes three common sizes: 1/2" (12mm), 3/4" (18mm), and 1" (25mm).
I hope this list of the best wood chisels was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
