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Craft Wood Effortlessly with the Leading Carving Chisels

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By Woodsmith Review Team
Last updated: 6 Jun 2022

The carving chisel is a vital tool for the DIY or professional woodworker. They are used generally to file down wooden surfaces and to smooth over areas that have already been cut to leave a neat, professional finish. Our guide is designed to help you save money and choose the best carving chisels in 2022.

Chisels have been around for thousands of years. They have stood the test of time as one of the most versatile hand tools available. Carving chisels can shave off excess wood, carve out custom designs, and make intricate wood joints. As a necessity for making fine furniture, every serious woodworker needs a quality set of carving chisels at their disposal.

Since it’s impossible to make fine furniture without woodworking chisels, many woodworkers have lost their money buying low-quality chisels that do not work quite so well. As useful as these tools are, it is very easy to spend a lot of money on the wrong type of chisel. To help you avoid this fate, we’re here to guide you through the process of finding the best carving chisels for your needs. 

We’ve listed the best carving chisels in 2022 for you below.

Best Overall
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Schaaf Full Size Wood Carving Chisel
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Runner Up
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VonHaus 16pc Wood Carving Chisel
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Honorable Mention
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PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Carving Chisel
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Contender
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MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel
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Also Consider
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WAYCOM 24PCS Wood Carving Chisel
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Also Consider
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Chiyuehe Professional Wood Carving Chisel
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Also Consider
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IMOTECHOM Woodworking Wood Carving Chisel
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Show contents
Our Picks for the Best Carving Chisel
  • 1 Schaaf Full Size Wood Carving Chisel
  • 2 VonHaus 16pc Wood Carving Chisel
  • 3 PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Carving Chisel
  • 4 MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel
  • 5 WAYCOM 24PCS Wood Carving Chisel
  • 6 Chiyuehe Professional Wood Carving Chisel
  • 7 IMOTECHOM Woodworking Wood Carving Chisel

Best Carving Chisels Buying Guide

The carving chisel is an invaluable tool in the woodworker's arsenal and has been for a long time. They are usually used by woodworkers for fine detail work that requires a small span. With a carving chisel, it’s easier to envision what each movement of the carving chisel will accomplish relative to the state of your wood.

There are different types and things to consider when buying a carving chisel. You need to find the best carving chisel for the tasks that you are going to be working on. Our buyer’s guide examines the features you need to consider to assist you to make the right choice of the best carving chisel you can buy. 

Things To Consider When Buying the Best Carving Chisels

There are some main features that you should know about when buying a carving chisel. These features help you work out what to expect and what to avoid when buying a wood chisel.

The handle

The handle part of your chisel is very important for both usability and also the durability of your tool. If you want your chisel to last, you need to choose a chisel handle that is made of strong wood, metal, or plastic and rubber. A rubber handle is not as durable as a metal handle but is soft to touch and would allow you to work for longer before starting to feel the ache in your hands. A compromise that implements the best of both worlds would be a chisel that has a metal handle with a rubber finish over the top – this combination gives you a strong and durable handle, along with the comfort to work for as long as you need. 

The blade

The blade of your carving chisel is just as important as the handle. Without the chisel blade, you have no chisel! It is very important to look for a carving chisel that has a good quality blade that is going to be appropriate for the types of tasks you want to use the chisel for.

A thinner blade will be easier to work with and will be able to get into smaller areas that you are working on. Longer blades are more awkward to work with if you are new to working with wood chisels. They can cover a larger area and get into tighter spaces than short blades might be able to reach.

It is important to also consider the material that your blade is made of. A badly designed blade made of poor-quality material will only end up costing you more money in the long run. Poor blades will wear a lot faster and take longer to get the job done. For more durable blades, check for blades that are manufactured with chrome steel with high amounts of carbon. A carving chisel made of specially hardened steel will stay sharp for a very long period.

Also, always look at the shape of the blade on the chisel you plan to buy, they usually come in a lot of different designs. A wider blade surface will enable you to work on more material at a time. Tapered blades on the other hand give you a more precise finish.

The size

When looking for the right carving chisel for you it is important to think about the size that you are going to need. They usually come in a range of sizes from around ¼ inch up to 1 ½ inch. Small-sized chisels are better for delicate and detailed jobs. Larger chisels are more fitting if you have big areas to work with.

Even though it would increase your cost, we would recommend purchasing more than one wood chisel. It will save you a lot of future hours if you have more than one size of carving chisels. It will also assist you to complete your woodworking jobs quickly and with much ease.

What Are Carving Chisel Sets?

There are a lot of carving chisel sets available on the market that may be a better choice for you than buying individual chisels. Carving chisel sets are sets of chisels sold together that usually come in sets of between 4 and 8 – offering carving chisels of different sizes so that you can switch between them depending on what task you are performing.

Even though it is more expensive to buy multiple chisels in one go, they are perfect for beginners to woodwork. They usually come in cases that protect and accommodate your chisels till the moment you need them. These sets will also usually come in handy cases that will keep your precious chisels safe and reduce the chance of them going missing.

Tips for Buying and Using Carving Chisels

Here are some additional tips to assist you to choose the best chisel for your tasks; 

  • Buy your chisel based on your experience level. Are you a beginner, an intermediate, or an advanced woodworker? Be honest about where you reside on the spectrum of experience and this will help you make the wisest choice for you.
  • Always keep the purpose of why you are getting your chisel in mind. Choosing your chisel based on its intended use is the best way to avoid wasting your time and money.
  • If you need to make lots of specific joints your carving chisels won’t produce, you should consider more specialized chisels (like the mortise and paring). Try starting with a general-purpose set of bevel-edged bench chisels of varying sizes (especially ¼ inch, ½ inch, ¾ inch, and 1 inch)
  • You should select a blade material based on how hard the wood is and how often you’re willing to sharpen it.
  • Keep your eyes out for blades that can be sharpened easily.  Chisels that are easy to sharpen have much better value for money as they will last so much longer.

If you are a beginner woodworker, you may benefit from some extra tips and tricks. Wood and Shop has a great video for rookies who want to learn more about this awesome pastime:

Our Picks for the Best Carving Chisel

1

Schaaf Full Size Wood Carving Chisel

– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP

SCHAAF full-size wood carving tool set comes with everything you need to start chiseling. SCHAAF carving toolset accommodates everyone and allows beginners to get started carving, intermediate carvers to add to their collection, and professionals to have a set to grind at a different level.

Key Features
  • SCHAAF full-size wood carving tool set contains 12 chisels of various sizes and functions.
  • Each tool is made from alloy chromium-vanadium steel and hardened to Rockwell C60 so blades will hold an edge for a long time and won’t dull quickly with repeated use; 
  • The handles of the carving set are European-style octagonal handles made from hardwood ash. They are 14 cm in length.
Pros
  • The steel is of excellent quality.
  • They are perfect for beginners.
  • The set is versatile to different purposes.
Cons
  • They don’t come sharpened.
2

VonHaus 16pc Wood Carving Chisel

– Runner Up
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THE SCOOP

The VonHaus 16-piece wood carving Chisel Set is a great introductory set for beginners in woodworking. It features all the essentials needed to tackle intricate and demanding jobs. If you are a novice sculptor or carpenter determined to purchase a set of chisels, these are the set for you.

Key Features
  • The VonHaus 16-piece wood carving Chisel Set includes 5 x Short Palm Wood Knives 7 x Long Shaft Carving Tools 2 x Files 1 x Sharpening Stone 1 x Mallet.
  • It has easy-grip octagonal wood handles for superior handling 
  • It comes in a black canvas carry case and has individual elastic holders to keep tools neat, organized, and safe for transportation.
  • It is made from heat-treated, chrome vanadium steel alloy blades with a ground finish and narrow side bevels.
  • It comes with a sharpening stone and mallet for precise performance. Chisels will need sharpening to maintain their accuracy
Pros
  • It is great for beginners.
  • It has a good grip.
  • It is budget friendly.
Cons
  • The edges come a bit dull and will need sharpening.
3

PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 Wood Carving Chisel

– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP

PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 wood lathe chisel set was made to satisfy the majority of your wood carving needs. This chisel set is suitable for turners of all skill levels. This is the ideal kit for turning pens or much larger projects on lathes of any size.

Key Features
  • PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 wood lathe chisel set includes 8 different chisel specifications. 
  • Each chisel measures 16-1/4″ in length with a 6-1/4″ M2 High-Speed Steel blade and 10″ beautifully turned hardwood handles. 
  • It is the ideal kit for turning small pens, spindles, bowls, and larger projects.
  • Includes wooden case for storage and carrying.
Pros
  • They are comfortable to use and perfect for turning projects.
  • Great quality out the box.
  • It comes as a versatile turning set.
Cons
  • It dulls a bit too quickly.
4

MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel

– Contender
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THE SCOOP

MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set is perfect for anyone just starting into woodworking or wood carving. This wood carving set is both affordable and a great starter set for anyone getting into carving.

Key Features
  • MARKETTY Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set is a 12-piece set of 8” carving chisels
  • It works great for wood carving and woodwork.  
  • The wood carving tools are made from quality carbon steel to last for years. 
  • It comes with an easy carry solution for easy transportation of the tools.
Pros
  • They are sturdy and of great quality.
  • They are great for the price.
  • They are great for beginners.
Cons
  • They need sharpening upon arrival.
5

WAYCOM 24PCS Wood Carving Chisel

– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP

WAYCOM 24PCS Wood Knife Kit Set is perfect for professionals and amateurs in the woodworking field. They are especially suitable for beginners, and they nurture baby potentials and talents to mastery.

Key Features
  • WAYCOM 24PCS wood knife kit set is a complete set for virtually every woodworking requirement.
  • It is made of high-quality carbon steel.
  • They are great for doing detailed work on the smaller wood lathes.
  • Its wooden handles are well made and sturdy with smooth handing for a comfortable grip.
Pros
  • The tools are strong and durable.
  • It has a great grip.
  • The chisels are excellent for detail work.
Cons
  • It has a slight learning curve.
6

Chiyuehe Professional Wood Carving Chisel

– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP

Chiyuehe Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set is a great set for the beginner and professional carver. The toolset features a nice combination of carving tools for different designs or effects and chisels for more aggressive removal of materials.

Key Features
  • Chiyuehe Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set is perfect for anyone just starting into woodworking or wood carving. 
  • It is made from high-quality carbon steel to last for years. 
  • It comes with tips in 12 different sizes
  • This carving chisel set includes a carrying case for easy carrying.
Pros
  • They are of great quality
  • Works great for beginners whether it’s kids or adults.
Cons
  • They come pretty dull.
7

IMOTECHOM Woodworking Wood Carving Chisel

– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP

IMOTECHOM 12-Pieces woodworking wood carving chisel set features all the tools you need to start your carving project. These hand-selected chisels are ready to use and work well for woodworkers of all experience levels.

Key Features
  • IMOTECHOM 12-Pieces woodworking wood carving chisel set is a durable carving set that comes with a variety of chisel options.
  • The blades are Chrome-Vanadium blades and will last very long. 
  • It has a walnut wooden handle that is harder and comfortable for using. 
  • It comes with a wooden box to store the tools and keep them in good working condition.
Pros
  • They are quite strong and durable.
  • They have a good grip.
Cons
  • Poorly sharpened out the box.

People Also Asked

Q: How do I sharpen my carving chisel?

A: Your chisel will quickly become ineffective if you do not learn how to sharpen it. You can use a sharpening stone, sandpaper, or a bench grinder to sharpen your wood chisel. To use a sharpening stone, you simply have to work the chisel back and forth against the stone to sharpen it.

Q: How do you store wooden chisels?

A: Your chisels can be stored in a pouch, a case, a storage rack, or a magnetic tool holder.

Q: How do you chisel wood for a door hinge?

A: First, you should mark out where the hinge will go. Next, use an adequately sharp chisel to carve out the cuts to the same depth of the hinge. Follow this up with horizontal slices to remove the notched-out section.

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By Woodsmith Review Team
The Woodsmith Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. The content is created by The Woodsmith Review Team. Woodsmith’s editorial staff is not involved. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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