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Chisels
A five-piece bevel-edge chisel set for joinery, paring and fitting parts, chosen from independent tests and reviews.
Our picks
Bevel-edge chisel set
Narex Richter bevel-edge chisel set, 5 pieces
Our pick for a chisel set: five common widths with thin side bevels that reach into dovetail corners.
Product images are from each maker’s product page or the product’s store listing, as listed under Photo credits on this page, and are shown only to identify the products. The makers and stores haven’t reviewed, sponsored or endorsed this page. If you own an image here and want it removed, email hello@sawdustsmart.com.
Photo credits
- Narex Richter bevel-edge chisel set, 5 pieces: Image: Narex product image, via the Woodcraft listing
Each price is the one we saw at that store on the date beside it. Prices change, so check the store before you buy.
What to look for in chisels
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Bevel-edge bench chisels first. Beveled sides let one set pare, chop light mortises and clean up joints. Thin side bevels reach into dovetail corners (Fine Woodworking; Rockler).
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Common widths. A set of 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 in. covers most joints in our plans.
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Steel you can sharpen. Harder steel holds an edge longer but takes longer to sharpen (Fine Woodworking; Wood and Shop).
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Flat backs. The back near the edge must be flat to take a sharp edge. Expect to lap the back on any new chisel (Fine Woodworking).
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A sharpening setup. Chisels need regular honing; see our tips on hand-cut dovetails and mortise and tenon by hand for how they’re used.
How we picked
We didn't hands-on test these. We picked it by reading independent tests and reviews (Fine Woodworking, Popular Woodworking and Wood and Shop), checking the spec listing at Rockler, and checking prices at Rockler and Woodcraft. Every pick has at least three independent sources from at least two different outlets, including at least one independent test or review. They're all linked with the pick, along with what each one found. Popular Woodworking's edge test is from 2020 and Fine Woodworking's review from 2022. We also searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database on Oct 22, 2026 and found no recall for these chisels. Prices, review counts and links were last checked on ; prices and stock change, so check the store before you buy.
No paid links. Every link on this page is a plain link: no affiliate codes or tracking, and no company paid or asked to be listed (disclosure). Links open in a new tab.
Some outlets we cite get review samples from tool makers; we don't use pieces a maker paid for or sponsored.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.