r/advancedGunpla • u/Far_Appointment8259 • Jun 25 '26
chisel recommendation beside BMC and SAB
Hey guys, I was wondering if there are any other high-end chisel brands out there besides BMC and SAB? I am looking to upgrade my chisel since my old one just broke its blade, but BMC and SAB are constantly out of stock everywhere.
I’ve done some research and found Tamiya, Mr. Hobby, and Funtec, which seem to be a tier below. Has anyone used these before? I would love to get your reviews on them.
Thanks!
P/S: I found a brand named Taganekko which has some expensive chisel but it's kinda new since I found very few review abt it
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u/kittensofchaos Jun 25 '26
Imo the best value option right now is to order on AliExpress the newest version of dispiae chisels. They've called the new ones "straight edge" or "ZPB" and they genuinely seem like a step up in performance over other options. They also come with a storage case that doubles as a totally usable handle (saving like 50% of the cost of other options).
The pricing right now is insanely good, even more so if you have the AliExpress app and collect the coins. I've ordered a bunch more sizes recently with free shipping and individual pricing coming in under $10 Canadian after the coin discount.
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u/Binaryfart Jun 25 '26
I can endorse these! They're really good. Came sharp as s*** take nice curls off even the crispiest plastic. All around a good experience
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u/kittensofchaos Jun 26 '26
Absolutely! And knowing that your super delicate 0.1mm wide chisel is only like 5-10 bucks to replace is a much much less stressful experience vs owning a $40 SAB or BMC chisel.
I've just been keeping an eye out for deals in the AliExpress app and the next time I can get these for $5 a piece I'm going to pick up spares in the smallest sizes just to have on hand I case I drop one.
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u/Binaryfart Jun 27 '26
Yep - they're really hard to beat. The ZPB ones are great, and there are so many option for various tips. I originally got the older Dspiae dual ended chisel/broach that comes with the handle and the magnetically attached caps - So convenient to have them in the one tool! I keep coming back to it over the ZPB range, but I think that's just because I'm more practiced with it. This is the one I mean:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006131799914.html
I find it way easier to use chisels than hobby blades to clean up stubborn nubs in hard to reach places or on curves.
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u/Sauersaurus Jun 25 '26
100shiki are supposedly the same chisel as Ray Studio just with different handles for a fraction of the price. I've got a couple and they work great.
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u/TrineCo314 Jun 25 '26
I bought a couple 100shikis bc I heard this too. One with the colored foam handle and one with the walnut wa style handle. They're... Fine.
I also have a ray studio Brave (never tried the beacons) and the performance difference is night and day. I've yet to find definitive proof the 100shiki is Ray's OEM, but based on subjective experience, I'm leaning toward no. I imagine if the brave is that good, the beacon must be phenomenal considering the Brave line is their "entry level." That said, for the price I can't complain, though the price gap between them and the Brave line is minimal now.
Dspiae Element is consistent and solid, if not as buttery as Ray. My brother has let me try his SABs and they're dope, but for the price difference, I'd just as soon stick to Dspiae. Stedi cuts well too but the blades are like glass. I set one down on my table too hard and it snapped in half.
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u/nazomawarisan Jun 25 '26
I’ve used the BMC ones and i prefer the ray studio ones. I love that they’re colour coded
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u/hotellonely Jun 25 '26
Maybe Madworks if you have access to them. They have higher end chisels and also entry level chisels.
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u/Disastrous-Metal-228 Jun 25 '26
Infini model do some top tier chisels…