October 9, 2020

5 Best Wood Carving Chisels For Any Budget [UPDATED]

A chisel is a knife used to carve or cut hard material such as stone or metal but is mainly used for wood. It is a beautiful hobby that many people gladly allow to take up their time. For others, it is a fulfilling profession that generates income for them and their family. People can create life-like wooden models of everyday things, and you can sell art like this for large sums of money.ย 

ImageNameLink
VonHaus 10 pc Premium Chisel Set for Woodworking with Honing Guide, Sharpening Stone and Wooden Storage CaseVonHaus 10 pc Premium Chisel Set for Woodworking with Honing Guide, Sharpening Stone and Wooden Storage CaseCHECK THE BEST PRICE
GREBSTK Professional Wood Chisel Tool Sets Sturdy Chrome Vanadium Steel Chisel Beech Handles Woodworking Tools, 4PCS, 1/4-inch,1/2-inch,3/4-inch,1 inchGREBSTK Professional Wood Chisel Tool Sets Sturdy Chrome Vanadium Steel Chisel Beech Handles Woodworking Tools, 4PCS, 1/4-inch,1/2-inch,3/4-inch,1 inchCHECK THE BEST PRICE
Alikeke 8 Piece Set Wood Carving Hand Chisel Tool Carving ToolsAlikeke 8 Piece Set Wood Carving Hand Chisel Tool Carving ToolsCHECK THE BEST PRICE
VonHaus 8 pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel SetVonHaus 8 pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel SetCHECK THE BEST PRICE
MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set
MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel SetCHECK THE BEST PRICE

Getting into this craft/profession requires a set of chiseling knives. These knives are essential to your wood chiseling journey; hence, picking the right ones is critical. There are many different options available in the market distinguished between their quality and quantity.

Are more knives a great bargain, or is it better to get fewer knives of a higher quality? Which kind of steel is the strongest when it comes to these knives? Is a wooden or rubber grip good for people who sweat easily? If you want answers to these questions, then stick around.

During this articleโ€™s flight, we shall ransack through 5 sets of chiseling knives to find out their deepest darkest secrets to help you decide whether you should buy them. We shall look at the good and the bad of every product to build a comparison between them. As this is money coming out of your pocket, I am sure you would prefer it to be money well spent.ย 

So, let me help you chisel out a decision.

Our Top Pick

Our Winner!

On the cheaper side of the equation, we have this option. It comes in a wooden brown finish with only four pieces of the same chisel knife, just in smaller versions. The blades are not very versatile, made only for trimming down wood. It is appropriate to say that they were not designed to be very versatile but are designed to do one job well.

GREBSTK Professional Wood Chisel Tool Sets Sturdy Chrome Vanadium Steel Chisel Beech Handles Woodworking Tools, 4PCS, 1/4-inch,1/2-inch,3/4-inch,1 inch
check the price banner

Round Up of Best Wood Carving Chisels

VonHaus 10 pc Premium Chisel Set

VonHaus 10 pc Premium Chisel Set for Woodworking with Honing Guide, Sharpening Stone and Wooden Storage Case

Check The Best Price

This is the most expensive product among all the ones listed here. It is priced higher because it is said to be a premium version of what offerits competitors offer, and to a large extent, this is true.

These chisels boast lovely versatility with ten different chiseling knives, a honing guide, a sharpening stone, and a light and well-designed wooden carry case with their eye-catching bright orange color. The blades are made with heat-treated chrome vanadium steel ensuring durability and sharpness are emphasized.

The rubberized handles on the product ensure that your grip does not get loose, owing to your hands getting sweaty as you work. When you need to dig a little deeper and hit the knives with a hammer, metal strike caps have been added at the knivesโ€™ top. This product goes over and beyond to cater to domestic and professional users.

Prosย 

  • Chrome vanadium heated steel for durability and sharpness.
  • Well-designed rubber handle for a secure grip.
  • Multi-purpose chisel knives are included in the set.
  • Good selection of accessories, not short-changing the consumer.
  • Elegant and tidy wooden carry case with a slot for every knife.

Consย 

  • Require sharpening on arrival.ย 
  • Quite heavy

GREBSTK Professional Wood Chisel Tool Sets

GREBSTK Professional Wood Chisel Tool Sets Sturdy Chrome Vanadium Steel Chisel Beech Handles Woodworking Tools, 4PCS, 1/4-inch,1/2-inch,3/4-inch,1 inch

Check The Best Price

On the cheaper side of the equation, we have this option. It comes in a wooden brown finish with only four pieces of the same chisel knife, just in smaller versions. The blades are not very versatile, made only for trimming down wood. It is appropriate to say that they were not designed to be very versatile but are designed to do one job well.

The blades are durable and sharp, from the same chrome vanadium steel as the premium knives are. They come with handles made from admittedly attractive beech wood and bear more impact when you are protecting your hands.

They are also covered in an anti-corrosion finishing oil to ensure they last longer. This product is cheap because itโ€™s only valid for a few things. However, it is not cheap because of its quality which stands up quite well among the other knives. It would be suitable for someone who only wants to trim wood and not many different jobs.

Pros

  • Made from premium chrome vanadium steel, ensuring they are durable
  • Handles have an anti-corrosion oil finish to ensure that wear & tear is down to a minimal
  • Packaged very well for someone to receive as a gift.
  • It comes with a black plastic edge over the tips to protect the edges
  • Very affordable in comparison to the other options.

Consย 

  • Not very versatile, it can only trim wood.
  • Do not come with any added accessories.

Alikeke 8 Piece Set Wood Carving Hand Chisel Tool Carving Tools

Alikeke 8 Piece Set Wood Carving Hand Chisel Tool Carving Tools

Check The Best Price

These are the mid-entry chisel knives among the group. Coming as a set of 8, the blades are made from durable Manganese steel that does not easily rust. They have a wooden handle with lines carved for added grip, although the wood is not very high quality. The handles have chrome-plated ferrules that increase their durability when hammered into wood.

These knives are mildly priced and try to compete with the premium sets to provide everything you will need. Although the materials used are not premium, it will get the job done. They are suitable for entry-level wood carpenters or people who do not have the money to improve, but I would not recommend them as a long-term solution.

Pros

  • The blades are made from durable Manganese steel.
  • Blades come honed, buffed, and ready to use.
  • Chrome-plated ferrules provide added durability to handle.
  • Multiple tools for chiseling.
  • Handles offer stability and control.

Consย 

  • This product does not come with any extra accessories
  • The product does not come with a carry case

VonHaus 8 pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel Set

VonHaus 8 pc Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel Set

Check The Best Price

This is a very nice option marginally cheaper than the most expensive premium set available on this list. If your budget barely doesnโ€™t allow you to get the best option on this list, I would advise getting this one.

It has everything that the first option does except that it has two fewer pieces and is also cheaper. It comes with the same heat-treated chrome vanadium steel blades. It also comes with a well-designed, light, and rubberized grip.

These knives are suitable for professional and domestic use. These knives are suitable for professional and domestic use. The matt black and orange color finish is well applied and gives life to the tools. They also come with all the accessories you would need, including a honing guide, sharpening stone, and a blow-molded carry case which deserves a thumbs up.

Prosย 

  • Chrome vanadium steel provides durability.
  • Includes necessary accessories and a blow-molded carry case for extra strength and style.
  • It has a rubberized grip to ensure that you can still work even if your hands begin to sweat.
  • Cheap and effective alternative to more expensive options.
  • Narrow side bevels allow for more effective sharpening.

Consย 

  • Has fewer knives than premium option 1.
  • Requires sharpening before initial use.

MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set

MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set

Check The Best Price

This set of chisel knives is marketed to be for beginners,, and looking at its price. I think itโ€™s an appropriate option for those only looking to start. The set comes with 12 knives that are already sharpened, honed, and ready for immediate use.

MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set is not anything special but will do the job of allowing you to learn this craft and decide whether it is for you or not. The blades are made of carbon steel that has been hardened, and although it is not chrome vanadium, it will likely be durable and last you considerable time. It comes with a wooden handle that is light brown and has a steel ring around it for added grip.ย 

Prosย 

  • It comes with 12 knives which allow for variety and is commendable at this price.
  • High-quality carbon steel.
  • Comes with a carrying case.
  • Handles have steel rings for added grip.
  • It comes honed, sharpened, and ready to use.

Consย 

  • No added accessories.
  • Blades are not heat-pressed, so they may not stay sharp for long.

Buyerโ€™s Guide

To sum it up, these knives mainly depend on what you are looking for, but I would recommend the GREBSTK Professional Wood Chisel Tool Set if you can afford them. It is the second most expensive product on the list, and I recommend it because I can see no difference between it and its more expensive counterpart. They both have all the same features except for a difference in 2 knives.ย 

Therefore, I feel that getting this option will save you money, and you will not feel the difference between them as they are both premium chisel sets.ย 

Can you use a chisel on plywood?

No. There is no such thing as a chisel that you can use on plywood. Chisels are meant to be cut into the wood, and plywood does not have the texture of wood, so it is impossible to use this tool. You would require a saw for this type of material.

What kind of hammer do you use for a wood chisel?

The best hammer for a wood chisel is the claw or clawhammer. You can also use a regular hammer if you are not spry enough to do the job with only one tool. However, you should choose two different hammers if one of the tools breaks down on you.

Why are mushroomed chisel heads dangerous?

The mushroomed chisel head is one of the most dangerous forms of a chisel head. This happens when you try to force the chisel into something that cannot cut through. It might end up damaging your piece rather than cutting through it. This can lead to a person getting hurt and breaking your tool if you keep doing this and forcing the head beyond its limit.

What determines the size of a chisel?

The size of your wood chisel is determined by the thickness of the material you want to cut. Your material could be as thin as a credit card or as thick as 2x4s, so you need one chisel to cover all the sizes until you decide to purchase a new one.

Why are Japanese chisels hollow?

Japanese chisels are hollow because the Japanese people habit putting a lot of concave and convex in their woodworking equipment. This allows the user to get better control over the tool. They can also pound and chisel into pines and other hardwood without any concerns about damaging their pieces by hammering them from the outside in.

What is a mortise chisel?

A mortise chisel is used to remove wood from a joint in a large piece of furniture or woodworking. It is sometimes called a mortising chisel or router chisel since various shapes are used for this purpose.

How do you tell if a chisel is sharp?

You can check the spine of your chisel. If the spine is thick and straight, it is sharp because it has no kinks. If there is a kink in it, it is not sharp anymore because you will need to sharpen it again. Therefore, if you notice that your chisel has got a kink in its spine, you should not use it anymore until you get a new one.

What is the difference between a firmer chisel and a mortise chisel?

Firmer chisels are used to remove wood from a joint in a large piece of furniture or woodworking. Mortise chisels are used to make mortises. They have various shapes that are meant for this purpose.

How can I tell if a chisel is of good quality?

A chisel has to be able to withstand the work that you put into it. There are certain qualities like sharpness and balance that you should look for to find a quality tool.

If you are a beginner and only get into this craft, I would recommend the MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set, which is lower quality, making it affordable. It comes with more pieces allowing you to truly experience wood chiseling as you like and decide if it is for you or not.

David D. Hughes

Leave a Reply