Bench Chisel Selection Guide

We’re frequently asked for advise on bench chisel selection. Making a sound decision on an investment in chisels can be difficult when trying to compare online offerings.

• Lets start with where to go for advise. A good place to start is to actually try the chisels before buying in order to get a sense of how they feel in your hand doing some practise cuts.
• It’s also useful to read reviews in woodworking magazines which feature articles involving hand tools such as Woodwork, Fine Woodworking etc. Local woodworking instructors and experienced woodworkers are another good choice.
• Online reviews in News Groups and woodworking web sites can be useful “if” you know the qualifications of the contributor - We often hear comments from customers voicing their confusion and frustration after reading conflicting reviews containing little substantive information about why a tool was good or bad.

OK, now you’ve done your homework and are ready to buy chisels. It’s just a matter of settling on the set - Right?

• Well, unless you are very confident of your selection, we recommend buying a single chisel in a size you would use often and try it out at your leisure.
• Flatten the back of the chisel, sharpen the bevel and put it to work. How does it feel in your hand doing paring work? …now use it with a hammer or mallet. How well does it hold an edge? If you’re satisfied, then proceed to get a set, or select a few more chisels in sizes to round out a set for your current needs.
• If it didn’t work out, you’re only out the price of a single chisel and there are always those odd jobs which require a chisel, but not one of the really good ones.

Here’s a table we created to compare characteristics of the
chisels we offer at Craftsman Studio:

Chisel characteristic notes:

1. Steel - There are a variety of high carbon tool steels available which perform similarly. A2 Tool steel used by Lie-Nielsen Toolworks differs in that during the heat treating process, this steel benefits from thermal cycling (cryogenic treatment) which makes the cutting edge more long lasting.
2. Handle sized to blade - This feature is nice where there are a large range of blade widths.
3. Blade design - Tang blades have a tapered point created during the forging process which extends into the handle. Chisels of the socket design have the handle extend down into the body of the chisel. This makes it easy to replace a handle and produces a stronger chisel, but is a more costly design to produce due to the machining involved.
4. Sharpening of Japanese chisels requires the use waterstones (non-powered) and a bit more finesse because of their laminated construction. It’s better to learn on less expensive chisels, then graduate to these fine tools.
5. Suggested Skill Level - This is intended as a rough guide for those selecting chisels as a gift.

- Bill Kohr

Originally posted Sunday, December 10th, 2006