Top tools: Chisels
Our pick for a bevel-edge chisel set
Narex Richter bevel-edge chisel set, 5 pieces
Model 853600
Why we picked it
- Our pick for a chisel set: five common widths with thin side bevels that reach into dovetail corners.
- Fine Woodworking's reviewer, a professional furniture maker, found them ready to use out of the box, slower to sharpen on waterstones but long-lasting once sharp, with side bevels thin enough to pare dovetails without bruising them.
- In Popular Woodworking's edge test in white oak end grain, a Richter chisel was still slicing paper cleanly at 280 cuts, when the test wood ran out; a Stanley 750 began to dull at about 200.
- Wood and Shop's chisel guide names the Richter its pick among new chisels, for an edge that holds without being too hard to sharpen.
Specs (from the maker)
- Widths: 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 and 1 in.
- Chrome-vanadium steel, cryogenically treated, at least 62 HRC
- Polished European ash handles
- Solid stainless steel ferrules and leather washers
Keep in mind
- It's a premium set ($239.99 at Rockler and $249.99 at Woodcraft, checked Oct 22, 2026), and Wood and Shop suggests old chisels as a cheaper route.
Where to buy
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Photo credits
- Narex Richter bevel-edge chisel set, 5 pieces: Image: Narex product image, via the Woodcraft listing
More on Narex Richter bevel-edge chisel set, 5 pieces
Keep in mind
- The hard steel takes longer to sharpen on waterstones, Fine Woodworking found.
- Fine Woodworking's set had backs with a slight lengthwise curve. The reviewer found it no problem, but readers commenting on the review reported backs that took time to flatten.
- Wood and Shop notes that the round ash handles don't offer much grip.
What the sources found
- Fine Woodworking: Review, Narex Richter chisels (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent review, Nov 10, 2022 (issue #300, Tools & Shops 2023); checked ): Chris Gochnour found a 24° factory bevel with a slight microbevel, ready to use; at least 62 HRc steel that took extra time on waterstones but stayed sharp a long time; thin side bevels for dovetails; and a slight bow along the backs that didn't affect use. Reader comments below the review report convex or rounded backs that took time to flatten.
- Popular Woodworking: Narex's new state-of-the-art chisel, part 3 (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Jul 13, 2020; checked ): Yoav Liberman sliced white oak end grain, checking the edge on paper every ten cuts. The Stanley 750 began to dull at about 200 slices; the Richter was still sharp at 280, when he ran out of wood. The page says it may receive a commission from affiliate links.
- Wood and Shop: Woodworking chisels buying guide (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent guide, Updated Mar 2, 2026; checked ): Names the Narex Richter its pick among new chisels: Cr-V steel, cryogenically treated to at least 62 HRc, with thin sides, an edge that holds well and ash handles that don't offer much grip. It also suggests piecing together antique chisels to save money. The site discloses affiliate commissions.
- Rockler: Narex Richter 5-piece bevel edge chisel set (external site, opens in a new tab) (retailer listing; checked ): Lists the five widths, cryogenically treated steel at a minimum of 62 HRC, ultra-thin sides for dovetail corners, polished European ash handles, and solid stainless steel ferrules with leather washers.
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.