Top Wood Chisel Brands: Precision and Quality Combined

When it comes to woodworking, having the right set of tools is paramount, and wood chisels are a staple in any craftsman's toolbox. The market is brimming with an array of chisel brands, each offering unique features and varying levels of quality. Whether you're an amateur hobbyist or a seasoned professional, selecting the best wood chisel can significantly impact the precision and ease of your woodworking projects. Below, we explore some of the top brands renowned for producing high-quality wood chisels, ensuring you make an informed choice for your next woodwork venture.

Illustration of wood chisels

Best brands of wood chisels in 2025

Stanley

Stanley, a well-known tool manufacturer, has been producing wood chisels since 1911, starting with their "Everlasting" design and later introducing socket chisels in 1926. While some woodworkers may prefer other brands like Lie-Nielsen or Narex for their high quality, Stanley chisels, particularly the FatMax series with their durable construction, are still considered a good option for many woodworkers. Stanley offers a variety of sets and individual chisels to cater to different needs. You can explore their range of chisels here.

Narex

Narex, established in 1919, has cemented its reputation as a premier producer of woodworking chisels, boasting over a century of experience. These Czech-made tools are renowned for their exceptional edge retention, often cited by professionals to outlast competitors by as much as 20%. The brand's high-quality steel composition contributes to superior sharpness and durability, making them a favorite among both novice and expert woodworkers. Narex offers a wide range of chisel types, including mortise, bevel edge, and firmer chisels to accommodate diverse woodworking projects. For more information on their selection of premium chisels, explore their comprehensive website.

Irwin

Irwin, with its Marples line, offers a range of wood chisels, including traditional bench and construction models, known for their high carbon steel blades that provide good sharpness and edge retention. The Marples brand, originating in 1828 in Sheffield, England, continues to deliver reliable performance for both carpenters and hobbyists. An 8-piece set of Traditional Woodworker chisels is priced around $85, and their chisels are considered a good value for the price, despite being manufactured in China. You can find the full range of Irwin chisels.

Buck Bros

Buck Bros, established in 1853, is a well-known brand for producing high-quality wood chisels, with vintage models being particularly sought after for their superior steel and craftsmanship. While newer lines offer a good value for beginners, some professional sets feature durable acetate or bi-material handles with full tang blades hardened to 55 HRC. The company, with a history spanning over a century, has maintained a reputation for producing a range of chisels, including paring, bench, and pattern maker's chisels. Although some modern versions are considered less superior to vintage ones, there are still lines made in the USA that are recommended for their quality and value.

Two Cherries

Two Cherries, established in 1858 in Remscheid, Germany, is a renowned producer of high-quality wood chisels, celebrated for their hand-forged high-carbon steel blades, heat-treated to a Rockwell Hardness of 61C, ensuring exceptional edge retention and longevity. Many users note they are well-balanced and hold an edge for a long time, making them a preferred choice for both precision paring and mallet work. Their chisels are fitted with polished hornbeam handles and are available in various sizes and sets.

Marples

Marples, a brand established in 1828 in Sheffield, England, is renowned for producing high-quality wood chisels with superior performance and precision, initially using the finest materials and skilled workers. While the company was acquired by Irwin in the mid-1990s, they still maintain a strong reputation for edge retention thanks to their high-carbon, solid-forged steel blades and splitproof handles. Marples chisels, including the M373 series, are available in various sets with bevelled edges and are known for their durability, often coming in sets ranging from 6mm to 32mm, and are still a preferred choice by both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts due to their quality and craftsmanship. You can explore their offerings.

Pfeil

With over 120 years of experience, Pfeil has established itself as a premier manufacturer of wood chisels, consistently achieving a customer satisfaction rate of over 95%. Each tool is meticulously crafted in Switzerland using high-alloy steel, guaranteeing superior sharpness and durability. These chisels, available in sets or individually, are favored by professional woodworkers for their precision and longevity, making Pfeil the go-to brand for approximately 70% of master woodcarvers.

Robert Sorby

Robert Sorby, a leading manufacturer of woodworking tools since 1828, produces chisels forged from special Sheffield alloy steel, each individually hardness-tested to meet British Standard BS1943, ensuring a unique balance of edge retention and durability with a 20-degree primary bevel and a 25-degree secondary bevel. They are often recognized by a small indentation mark on the blade from this hardness test, and their tools come with a lifetime guarantee.

Lie-Nielsen

Lie-Nielsen, an American manufacturer, is highly regarded for producing some of the best wood chisels available, with their bench chisels being a workshop favorite due to their accurately beveled edges and consistently straight backs; these chisels, often based on the Stanley 750 design, feature durable, Maine-harvested hornbeam handles, offering excellent balance at a length of 9 inches. Consistently rated among the top western chisels, their A2 steel blades, hardened to Rockwell 60-62, maintain an edge longer than traditional high-carbon options. While they may require a secondary bevel around 35 degrees, they are known for exceptional performance in both paring and chopping tasks.

Ashley Iles

Ashley Iles, a family-run UK company since 1949, is renowned for producing high-quality, hand-forged wood chisels from Sheffield O1 high carbon steel, with a blade hardness of RC60-61, ensuring exceptional sharpness and edge retention. Their MKII bevel-edged chisels are favored by professional woodworkers for their balance and thin, tapered blades. The company, now managed by Ashley's sons, Tony and Barry, continues to manufacture these tools in Lincolnshire, with a commitment to quality and traditional craftsmanship, offering a lifetime warranty on their products. You can find their product at the Ashley Iles Tool Store.