A good set of chisels is one of the most versatile investments you can make as a woodworker. Whether you're cutting dovetails, paring joints, chopping mortices or carving detail, there's a chisel designed for the job.
But with so many types and sizes available, knowing where to start can be daunting.
This guide breaks down the main types of wood chisel, what each one is used for, and how to choose the right chisel — or set — for your needs and budget.
Types of Wood Chisel
Bevel Edge Chisels
The most common type and the best starting point for most woodworkers. The angled edges allow you to get into tight corners and undercut dovetail joints.
Available in sizes from 6mm to 50mm, a set of four to six bevel edge chisels will cover the vast majority of woodworking tasks.
Best for: general joinery, dovetails, paring, furniture making
Mortice Chisels
Thicker and heavier than bevel edge chisels, mortice chisels are designed to be driven hard with a mallet and to lever out waste from deep mortice joints.
The extra mass and strength prevents them from flexing or breaking under heavy use.
Best for: cutting mortice and tenon joints, heavy chopping work
Butt Chisels
A shorter version of the bevel edge chisel, butt chisels are ideal for working in confined spaces — fitting hinges, locks and hardware where a longer chisel would be awkward to control.
Best for: fitting door hinges, hardware installation, confined spaces
Wood Carving Chisels and Gouges
Carving chisels come in a wide variety of profiles — straight, curved, V-shaped and more. Gouges have a curved blade for scooping and shaping, while straight carving chisels are used for detail and relief work.
Best for: wood carving, relief carving, decorative detail work
Bolster and Cold Chisels
These are not woodworking chisels — they're masonry tools designed for cutting brick, stone and metal. Made from hardened steel and struck with a club hammer, they're a staple of building and construction work.
Best for: cutting bricks, splitting stone, trimming masonry
What Size Chisels Do I Need?
For general woodworking, a starter set of four bevel edge chisels in 6mm, 12mm, 19mm and 25mm will handle most tasks. If you're doing a lot of dovetail work, add a 3mm or 4mm chisel for cleaning out the narrow pins. For mortice work, a dedicated mortice chisel in 6mm, 8mm or 10mm is worth adding to your kit.
What to Look for When Buying Chisels
Steel quality — Look for chisels made from chrome vanadium (Cr-V) or high carbon steel. These hold a sharp edge longer and are easier to resharpen than cheaper alloys.
Handle material — Hardwood handles (beech, ash, hornbeam) are traditional and comfortable. High-impact plastic handles are more durable if you're striking with a metal hammer rather than a mallet.
Tang vs socket construction — Most modern chisels use a tang (a pointed spike that fits into the handle). Socket chisels have a hollow socket that the handle fits into — generally stronger under heavy mallet use.
Brand — For reliable quality at a fair price, brands like Irwin Marples, Spear & Jackson, Eclipse Professional and Faithfull are all well-regarded in the UK market.
Recommended Chisels from Cherry Tree Tools
- Irwin Marples MS500 5-Piece Chisel Set — a classic choice for serious woodworkers, with premium steel and comfortable handles
- Eclipse Professional 4-Piece Bevel Edge Chisel Set — a solid, affordable starter set for beginners
- Spear & Jackson Heritage 5-Piece Wood Chisel Set — handcrafted in Sheffield, ideal for those who appreciate traditional British toolmaking
- MHG 4-Piece Wood Carving Chisel Set — German-made carving chisels for detail and chip carving work
- Faithfull 4-Piece Butt Chisel Set — compact and precise for hardware fitting and confined spaces
How to Keep Your Chisels Sharp
A sharp chisel is a safe chisel — and a pleasure to use. Even the best chisel will need sharpening before first use and regularly thereafter.
A simple sharpening setup of a coarse and fine waterstone (or oilstone) and a leather strop will keep your chisels in excellent condition.
We'll cover sharpening in detail in a future guide.
Conclusion
Choosing the right chisel comes down to the work you're doing. For most beginners, a quality set of four to six bevel edge chisels is the ideal starting point. As your skills and projects develop, you can add mortice chisels, carving tools and specialist sizes to your kit.
Browse our full range of chisels and wood carving tools at Cherry Tree Tools — and if you're not sure which chisel is right for your project, feel free to get in touch.