All about carpentry chisels: types, characteristics, subtleties of choice

Expert: Andrey Nikolaevich Kuznetsov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

In every woodworking workshop, a tool such as a chisel plays an important role. It is designed for cutting wood, both manually and using machines. The chisel consists of two components, the cutting part and the handle. There is a wide range of this tool on sale, so a novice joiner or carpenter cannot do without expert advice.

Chisel: what is it and what is it for?

Chisels are hand tools. Despite the simplicity of their design, they are indispensable when processing wood, ideal for rough and fine work.

The tool is universal and suitable for chamfering, cleaning grooves, filling recesses, applying relief and contour patterns. In addition, a chisel is used for precision work when it is necessary to remove a thin layer from the surface being treated. Electric chisels, which combine a woodworking machine and a manual device, are also popular.

Sharpening procedure

A sharp blade on any tool is much safer than a dull one. Such tools include a chisel. The frequency of sharpening depends on the frequency of operation of the tool, but in any case, the chisel must be sharpened at least twice a year.

Even a purchased chisel is not sharp enough to perform woodworking. Therefore, before starting work, it must be sharpened.

Used chisels develop irregularities and burrs on the chamfer, which are corrected on a grinding wheel. The damaged chamfer is held near the circle, thereby removing irregularities, chips and rust. The sharpening stone, which has three levels, allows you to achieve maximum sharpness of the chisel.

Types, material of manufacture, main characteristics

Depending on the type of work performed, there are two types of mallets:

• manual – processing of the material occurs due to pressure;
• impact - the work is performed using targeted impacts. Tools of this type are characterized by the presence of a special metal ring, which prevents the appearance of cracks in the wood.

According to the methods of manufacturing the canvas, chisels are divided into the following three types:

• stamped;
• forged - for working with hard materials;
• punching – for precise processing of the product.

The handles of classic chisels are made of tough wood: maple, ash, oak, hornbeam. In addition, impact-resistant plastic or similar material is used.

The mallet handle can be two-component or three-component. Impact models are equipped with a special butt plate made of strong metal.

Types of chisels by purpose:

• carpentry;
• carpentry;
• turning;

The shape of the longitudinal section of the mallet divides chisels into the following three types:

• straight – straight blade and blade;
• curved - bending of the blade and blade;
• cranberry - a sharp bend of the blade located almost at the end of a straight mallet. When the blade is sharpened on the opposite side, the corresponding classifying word is added to the name of the tool. For example, reverse cranberry. With such a chisel you can cut out semicircular parts of products.

Klukarza:

The cross section of the chisel blade divides the models into six types:

• flat - depending on the parameters of the canvas, it can be wide, narrow, thick or thin;
• oblique - a flat blade with a cutting edge and a bevel perpendicular to it;
• corner - with a transverse profile in the shape of the letter V;
• radius - the second name for such a mallet is a semicircular chisel, because it has a semicircular cross-section;
• box-shaped or bracketed - a straight blade with sides of different heights and different angles between them;
• cerasic - in parameters it resembles a semicircular model, but much thinner. Used for artistic carving.

Chisels are used not only for processing wood, but also for working with stone, metal, concrete, etc.

Attention! To avoid mistakes when choosing, you should pay special attention to the manufacturer’s mark on the blade of the chisel - a kind of guarantor of quality. The inscription “Hardened steel” should not be trusted: most likely, the tool is a fake or made of poor quality.

Cut and design

When purchasing certain bits, the offer from Narex Bystřice, for example, will serve as a guide. The products of this brand refer to chisels, the quality of which is assessed by a number of professional craftsmen on various discussion forums on the Internet.

You can choose from several ranges and price levels.

• For example, the premium Wood Line Plus chisel is described by the manufacturer as an innovative wood chisel with a blade cross-section that minimizes resistance to penetration through wood.
• Thanks to the ground edges and thin side surfaces, the chisel has excellent cutting properties. The ergonomic handle made of hornbeam wood is very resistant to strong hammer blows.
• There can be no talk of even an original design, combining a dark stain, a brass rod and a special blade shape. Such a chisel will be a small decoration in carpentry equipment, but especially when creating the handle, the requirement of high-quality ergonomics came first.

Chisels in this series are intended to be used frequently or even daily.

From the same series, it is worth paying attention to the oblique chisel, which is a special tool with a left or right bevel. Chisels of this type are suitable for cleaning work in corners, in hills or in hard-to-reach places where it is impossible to work with standard chisels.

In addition to the basic equipment, you can also purchase a cleaning chisel specifically designed for finishing work and detailed removal of material around joints.

Other types of chisels

Along with the usual chisels, the following types of tools are used in various industries:

• electric chisel. Other names for such a universal unit are renovator, electric chisel, multi-cutter, electric scraper. The working element here is a special attachment in the form of a mallet, and it is selected depending on what type of work is being performed. Due to the high performance of the unit, it can be used to apply small and precise patterns. This type of tool can be either mains-powered or battery-powered;
• surgical – made of surgical steel and used in medicine;
• apiary - for the daily work of beekeepers;
• for hinges - the special design of such a tool allows you to quickly knock out the rounded corners of the seat for the door hinge;
• plastic or chisel-scraper - for tire fitting: leveling the surface of the tire, removing burrs;
• pocket - folding mallet;
• mini chisel – suitable for making fine carvings on soft materials;
• beweiler or beveller - a tool with a flat blade for cutting skin at the folds. Other names: edge cutter, French chisel;
• chisel-chisel - to remove unnecessary parts of the material being processed;
• chisel-jamb or sculptural knife - for applying relief patterns.

Surgical instruments:

Electric chisel

In addition to the familiar appearance of this tool, recently an electric chisel has become increasingly popular, which is practically a portable woodworking machine reduced to the convenient size of a hand tool.

This is a universal device, which is an electric motor that drives the nozzles. The attachments are replaceable and selected based on the task at hand. Compared to a conventional chisel, the electric version shows higher productivity and accuracy. Many advantages make such devices very popular at the moment. For greater convenience, models have been developed that are equipped with batteries and can work without being connected to the network.

How to choose the best tool?

The main parameters of chisels that you should pay attention to when choosing a tool:

• the blade must be hardened, free from rust and other defects;
• the best material for the handle is wood or rubberized plastic;
• price – too low a price for a tool indicates that it is not made with high quality.

The following in the review presents ratings of the best and most popular models of manual and electric chisels in 2022, as well as tool sets.

Set 6 pcs. STAYER 1832-H6

Photo: https://pokupki.market.yandex.ru

A set of figure cutters with a wooden handle Stayer 1832-H6 is suitable for performing professional carving work in carpentry workshops or production areas. The presented tools have various forms of working profiles. They allow you to easily and conveniently perform figured cutting and ordinary turning in parts and blanks made of wood and plastic.

Set 6 pcs. STAYER 1832-H6

Advantages:

• quality
• reliability
• convenience
• comfort
• safety

Top 5 hand chisels

Hart HCC32

5th place

The all-metal construction makes the tool durable and strong. Thanks to special heat treatment, the chisel combines a hard blade and a fairly soft handle. It is suitable not only for cutting and planing, but also for hollowing out niches. Due to the impact blade, the tool can be used like a metal hammer.

Hart HCC32

Advantages:

• wide canvas;
• comfortable all-metal handle;
• blade sharpness;
• In reviews, users speak of the Hart HCC32 as a universal and reliable tool.

Flaws:

• overpriced;
• weight;
• no warranty;
• Among the shortcomings, users note the duration of sharpening.

DYNAGRIP Stanley 0-16-890

4th place

When it becomes necessary to remove a thin layer from a workpiece, DYNAGRIP Stanley 0-16-890 will cope with this task perfectly.

The blade is made of high carbon steel. The blade, sharpened on one side, ensures reliable operation and withstands shock loads well.

The rubberized handle, with a steel cap at the end, prevents slipping and at the same time, will withstand even blows with a hammer.

DYNAGRIP Stanley 0-16-890

Advantages:

• presence of a protective cap on the handle;
• wear resistance;
• convenient blade sharpening angle;
• affordable price;
• 24 month warranty;
• weight.

Flaws:

• Users complain that the blade becomes dull quickly.

MATRIX Tiger Eye 24503

3rd place

MATRIX Tiger's Eye is ideal for craftsmen engaged in figurative carving.

The narrow blade of the chisel and the rubberized handle, which fits comfortably in the hand, will ensure comfortable work even for a novice carver.

Do not be afraid of such a low cost of the tool - the chisel is assembled in China, but this does not affect the quality. Not suitable for processing workpieces.

MATRIX Tiger Eye 24503

Advantages:

• affordable price;
• weight;
• comfortable two-component handle;
• solid, high-quality fabric;
• steel protective cap on the handle;
• wear resistance;
• 24 month warranty;
• long lasting blade sharpness after sharpening.

Flaws:

• narrow scope.

NAREX SUPER 2009 LINE PROFI

2nd place

This professional semi-circular chisel is very popular among master carpenters.

The blade, made of special chrome-manganese steel, is wear-resistant, and the blade remains sharp for a long time after sharpening.

The presence of a steel impact tip at the end of the two-component handle allows you to work with both a mallet and a hammer.

NAREX SUPER 2009 LINE PROFI

Advantages:

• weight;
• wear resistance;
• steel protective cap on the handle;
• long lasting blade sharpness after sharpening.

Flaws:

• high price;
• no warranty.

BAHCO Polypropylene 414

1 place

The special hardening of the BAHCO Polypropylene 414 blade ensures the wear resistance of the tool and the long-term sharpness of the blade after sharpening.

The cutting part does not rust and is not subject to corrosive processes. Suitable for processing any type of wood.

The set includes a special case for storing and transporting the chisel.

BAHCO Polypropylene 414

Advantages:

• comfortable impact-resistant polypropylene handle;
• long lasting blade sharpness after sharpening;
• the presence of a cover for storage and transportation;
• trusted manufacturer;
• wear resistance and durability;
• guarantee;
• the ability to process any type of wood;
• special hardening of the blade;
• weight.

Flaws:

• high price.

Which hand chisel did you like best?

Main selection criteria

Remember 3 important qualities that a chisel must meet:

• durable tool
• resistant sharpening,
• reliable handle.

The durable chisel is made of high-quality steel and a high-quality handle, which are carefully processed and connected to each other.

Durable sharpening and cutting quality depend on the grade of steel from which the blade is made and on proper sharpening.

The steel must be hard and tough, preferably chrome vanadium alloy steel (chrome vanadium or CrV; ХВГ; or С105W2). Carbon steel (labeled U7 or U8) is cheaper, but it is very brittle and breaks quickly. Sometimes such marks are also on fakes, but if you are careful, you will recognize them by their low price and the absence of the manufacturer’s address.

The handle of the chisel should be strong and have a steel cap at the end, which you will hit with a mallet or hammer. These strong impacts often cause the wood of the handle to fall apart. Therefore, it is better to buy a chisel with a handle made of viscous plastic.

Of course, on the modern market there are also electric chisels with interchangeable attachments of different shapes. They are used to remove large masses of wood, speeding up and facilitating the work process.

You shouldn’t shell out money for overly expensive chisels, because very often, purely by accident, you will hit metal objects with them, such as nails, screws, staples, and this will damage the blade. Choose inexpensive but high quality tools. The main thing is not to forget to sharpen them on time and keep them in order. But first of all, learn how to use them correctly, without harming your health and the integrity of the instruments.

Top 5 renovators

Enkor MFE 400E

5th place

Enkor MFE 400E is a budget-friendly, convenient and easy-to-use unit that can handle repair work and process wood, plastic and even soft non-ferrous metals.

The kit includes a hex wrench, a spatula, a mallet for woodworking, a soleplate for securing sanding sheets, and sanding sheets.

Enkor MFE 400E

Advantages:

• vibration frequency adjustment;
• engine overheat protection;
• case for storage and transportation;
• multifunctionality;
• presence of a soft start function;
• affordable price.

Flaws:

• short cable;
• in reviews, users complain about the noise of the unit and the inconvenient start button;
• high cost of additional attachments.

Skil Masters 1490 NA

4th place

With a device such as the Skil Masters 1490 NA, you can cut plastic, metal, wood and drywall in a corner or niche without much difficulty.

The presence of replaceable attachments allows you to clean or polish workpieces of complex shapes.

The basic package includes a set of blades, a platform for sanding, a set of sanding paper, an adapter for a vacuum cleaner, and a hex key for replacing equipment.

Skil Masters 1490 NA

Advantages:

• soft start function;
• adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner;
• fixing the start button;
• weight;
• affordable price;
• special bag for storage and transportation;
• ability to process various materials;
• vibration frequency adjustment;
• long cable;
• comfortable two-component handle.

Flaws:

• not found.

Ryobi RMT200S

3rd place

The body of this renovator model is equipped with two massive rubberized inserts and does not weigh much, which ensures comfortable work on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

There is a special screw at the bottom of the case for more reliable fixation of the equipment. This is a big plus for novice craftsmen, since there is no chance of the mallet or sanding platform slipping.

The unit is suitable for processing wood, concrete, plastic, and metal.

Ryobi RMT200S

Advantages:

• additional rubberized inserts on the body;
• guarantee;
• weight;
• rotation speed adjustment on the rear handle;
• a special adapter that allows the use of Bosch and Dremel accessories;
• 9 replacement blades, a sanding pad and a set of sanding paper;
• bag for storage and transportation;
• average price.

Flaws:

• short cable;
• lack of soft start;
• There is no adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner.

Black&Decker MT 300 KA

2nd place

Convenient button placement and anti-slip inserts ensure ease of use and durability of this multi-tool.

Particular attention should be paid to the presence of a dust removal system on the body and keyless replacement of attachments.

Black&Decker MT 300 KA

Advantages:

• fixing the start button;
• replacement of equipment without a key, using a special lever;
• body with anti-slip inserts;
• universal adapter, allowing the use of attachments from Bosch, Makita;
• case or suitcase for storage and transportation;
• sanding platform and set of sanding paper;
• adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner;
• durability;
• adjustment of the rotation speed of the working element;
• engine overheat protection.

Flaws:

• lack of soft start;
• high price;
• in reviews, users complain that the tool heats up;
• it is difficult to find original replacement equipment.

AEG OMNI 300 -KIT1

1 place

The first place in the ranking of universal electric chisels is occupied by the AEG OMNI 300 -KIT1 - a reliable and high-quality unit, equipped with a backlight, thirteen interchangeable attachments and one vibrating one.

By changing the equipment, the multitool can be used as a drill, screwdriver, jigsaw, or grinder.

AEG OMNI 300 -KIT1

Advantages:

• adjustment of the rotation speed of the working element;
• reliability and wear resistance;
• LED lights;
• three adapters for using equipment from third-party manufacturers;
• a set of consumables and 13 additional attachments;
• bag for transportation and storage;
• 6 year warranty;
• long cable.

Flaws:

• high price;
• lack of soft start function.

Which renovator did you like?

Classification

By method of use

Impact chisels

Immersion is ensured by light blows on the end part. The handles are equipped with metal rings on the back. It prevents the handle from breaking.

Hand chisels

Immersion into the tree is done by hand effort.

According to production method

1. Stamped.
2. Forged, having a thickened blade.
3. Cutting, from less hard and dense steel.

By shape

The purpose and appearance are determined by the name:

Among classifications, national traditions can be taken as a criterion. For example, Japanese craftsmen proposed their own unique form of chisel. It is equipped with a shorter blade with a thick, long cone-shaped neck. This makes the tool comfortable, easier to hold and control while carving.

Thanks to a special recess on the back side, sharpening is more economical and faster. The combination of the shank and the conical cup makes the connection to the handle the most durable.

Thanks to two layers of the metal part (soft iron and high-strength steel), the sharpness is maintained for a long time, the blade is easily and quickly sharpened.

According to work purpose

• Plotnitsky . Allows rough processing of workpieces of different types.
• Carpentry . Used for neat, delicate work. Suitable for carving linden, spruce and poplar.
• Lathes . Cutters used for working on a lathe.
• Klukarzy . Thanks to the curved working part, they allow material to be removed from deep grooves.
• Multifunctional . Combines a nail puller and a frame lifting device. It's called "European".
• Looped . They have a special device. Used for rounding corners, preparing hinges and locks.
• Scrapers . Made from plastic. Needed for cleaning irregularities, repairing wheels, removing burrs and protrusions.
• Pocket . They have a folding blade.
• Mini chisels . Purpose: fine thread. These include rivets (miniature models with a narrow blade similar to a sharp leaf, allowing you to create a neat, high-precision design), marigolds (designed for cutting out thin elements with rounded shapes).
• Chisels . Used when knocking out unnecessary elements in the material.
• Shoals . Cutters equipped with an oblique blade for decorative work on relief. Used for sculptural carving.
• Shtiheli . They are distinguished by mushroom-shaped handles and an oblique cutter. Used for preparing grooves.

By type of longitudinal section

• Direct . The most common. The blade and blade are completely smooth.
• Curved . A special feature is the noticeable bend of the blade and blade.
• Klukarzy . They are distinguished by a sharply curved blade along the entire length. Used for punching wide pieces of wood.
• Reverse . The presence of sharpening on the other side of the blade and a notch on it allows you to create relief elements above the main surface. Such specimens are called “reverse cranberries.”

By cross section type

• 
  Flat

  . The difference is the straight profile. Available in many sizes.
• Angular cerasics . The cross section resembles the letter "V". Its angle is 60-90 degrees. Convenient for three-dimensional carvings, for example, images of hair.
• Radial . The cross section resembles a semicircle. Allows you to carefully and smoothly bury the tool into the wood. Used for contour carving. The working part can be sloping or flat.
• Bracketed . The smooth cutting part is equipped with sides of various sizes, placed at certain angles. Gives a narrow, even sample.
• Cerasics are round . Similar to the radius version, with a smaller thickness. Purpose – figured carving.

According to the shape of the working part

• Straight (the blade is perpendicular to the blade, used for rough processing in even stripes).
• Oblique (the beveled blade makes it easier to penetrate the wood).

Top 5 chisel sets

NAREX WOOD LINE PLUS

5th place

The set includes four flat chisels made of chrome-manganese steel in widths of 6, 12, 20 and 26 mm. These tools are suitable for working with wood: carving, gouging holes.

NAREX WOOD LINE PLUS

Advantages:

• strength;
• solid, high-quality fabric;
• wear resistance;
• long lasting blade sharpness after sharpening.

Flaws:

• the kit is sold in a cardboard box;
• lack of a protective tip at the end of the handle;
• no warranty from the manufacturer;
• In reviews, users complain about the protective, difficult-to-remove varnish coating on the tools.

NAREX SUPER 2009 LINE PROFI (flat)

4th place

The set includes four flat chisels 8, 10, 16 and 32 mm, designed for processing wooden surfaces: gouging out grooves and sockets, applying carvings, etc.

The blades are made of chrome-manganese steel, which ensures long-lasting sharpness after sharpening and durability of the mallets.

NAREX SUPER 2009 LINE PROFI (flat)

Advantages:

• long-term sharpness of the cutting part;
• quality steel;
• weight;
• protective cap on the handles;
• affordable price;
• wear resistance.

Flaws:

• lack of a case;
• no warranty from the manufacturer.

NAREX SUPER 2009 LINE PROFI (semicircular)

3rd place

The set consists of four semicircular chisels: 8, 10, 16 and 26 mm, which are ideal for processing wooden products. The blades are made of heat-treated chrome-manganese steel and fully comply with the requirements of DIN 513.

NAREX SUPER 2009 LINE PROFI (semicircular)

Advantages:

• quality steel;
• strength and durability;
• protective cap on the handles.

Flaws:

• high price;
• lack of a case;
• no warranty from the manufacturer.

COBALT 245-671

2nd place

Specially designed for fine work on wood, plastic and other soft materials, these chisels are ideal for even the novice craftsman.

The width of the canvases is 6, 12, 18 and 24 m. - the most popular sizes. The tools are packed in a blister.

COBALT 245-671

Advantages:

• comfortable rubberized handle;
• protective cap on the handle;
• the ability to process various types of materials;
• quality steel;
• affordable price;
• wear resistance.

Flaws:

• the manufacturer does not provide a warranty for this type of tool;
• lack of a case;
• In reviews, users complain that the blade quickly becomes dull.

Making blanks on a machine

Turning chisels are divided according to their functionality into the following groups:

• Rough processing. The chisel has 2 cutting blades located at an angle relative to each other.
• Meisel finishing treatment. Meisel is a smooth flat cutter with an angular sharpening on one side.
• Semicircular chisel for processing non-standard products.
• Cutting blade for removing excess wood when making patterns.
• Round chisel for processing round parts. Its blade can be either smooth or serrated.
• A file that processes the ends of workpieces.
• Cutter limiter that regulates the turning depth.

Work surface and vice

Wood carving tools should be within easy reach. The desktop must have a perfectly flat, horizontally leveled surface. At least one vise must be firmly fixed to the workbench.

A metal corner, a level, clamps, and wood glue must be purchased immediately, and they should always be at hand.

Auxiliary equipment is a sharpening machine, a hand-held circular saw with the possibility of stationary installation, a grinding machine, and an electric jigsaw. A hand jigsaw, a set of needle files and files will come in handy.

Additional equipment and tools are not associated with wood cutting, but without this you will have to spend time doing auxiliary work elsewhere.

A good master should have everything at hand.

Lessons from a recognized master

Meeting an experienced carver is a rare success. Just one visit to a professional carver’s workshop leaves a lasting impression on a beginner. The workshop has everything: from the smell of wood to a clear understanding of what tools are needed for wood carving. The first impression falls on the subconscious, and the beginning carver “already knows” what and when he should purchase or make.

A professional does not use standard sets of tools. He prefers to make his own instruments. This point is important to keep in mind. No manufacturer will make what you need. Any tool on the market is a tribute to established traditions, the shape of blades, handles, and accessories.

If you have a chance to become an apprentice to an experienced carver, this is a rare success. You can learn not only the technique of wood carving, but also the logic of making a tool, and master important rules for sharpening and using it.

The beginning of time

The woodworking master begins with a wooden block, which for an unexpected and incomprehensible reason attracted his attention, and a sharp kitchen knife. The situations can be very different:

• needed a spice rack in the kitchen;
• the door fell off the closet in the bedroom;
• you need to make a rack for children's toys;
• decorate a jewelry box with an ornament;
• you need to put a lock on the front door, etc.

Such tasks are not wood carving, but you will have to cut, drill, saw, sand, etc. If the result is in demand and it has captured the attention of the beginner, then a new star lights up in the sky, and the young master begins his journey of transforming wood into unique and practical products.

Bogorodsk knife “Tatyanka”

The name “Tatyanka” and the Bogorodsk knife were formed historically. They are associated with carving with only one cutter by hand. This knife works on soft wood for cutting small sculptures and figure cutting.

Bogorodskaya carving came out of peasant craft. Her most recognizable scene is "man and bear", and her carving technique is often called power. One knife, one workpiece. A carver of this style is a unique master. He doesn't wonder what tools are needed for wood carving. He just takes his knife and makes unique things with it.

There are many options for making a Bogorodsk knife. There are many options on the market, even a folding product. The best will always be your own.

Power carving with one knife is creativity, and creativity never fits into the framework of a standard manufacturer. When a beginner decides to devote himself to Bogorodsk carving, he will not have a question about what tools are needed for wood carving, he will not have a desire to purchase them, but he will have a clear understanding of how to make his own version of a knife.

Children's room and bedroom

The surfaces of shelves, cabinets, tables, chairs are smooth and even. This does not apply to legs, arms or ornaments. As a rule, artistic cutting can be applied along the edge of the surface of a table or bedside table, but most often it consists of making additional elements.

A carved handle for a cabinet door, a carved leg for a table or a horse chair for a child will require a simple tool. For example, a set of chisels of various shapes can be used to mark a horse’s mane or make a tail.

Types of tools and wood carving for household use is a technique of personal creativity. A person does not set himself the goal of creating a masterpiece. In his opinion, a masterpiece will be a children's room in which his child will feel comfortable; a set of simple wooden toys that will develop motor skills and imagination. The bedroom will be decorated with a unique lamp made from a tree stump modified with a Bogorodsk knife or a book shelf with a light ornament.

Wood cutting for the interior of a living space is significantly different from cutting figurines, sculptures or artistic paintings. Everything here is simple and easy to use: the most affordable materials and tools. Wood carving in everyday life is the art of designating, clarifying, and decorating.

For a beginner, “household cutting” is an excellent school of skill.