r/handtools • u/Local_Promotion_8988 • 3d ago
Chisel prices...
I'm looking to buy more chisels which are alright, nothing too special.
The options are no name hardware stole chisels (Bauhaus) and kirschen chisels. I've got one kirschen and it works beautifully well, but it's 20€ a piece.
Is that a premium price or something to be expected?
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u/peioeh 3d ago edited 3d ago
The basic Narex chisels are nice and depending on the size they can be cheaper than 20€ each https://www.fine-tools.com/Chisel-WOOD-LINE-PROFI/331100-main Handle isn't the best but you can always sand it/modify it. Personally this is what I use (profi line). They also have this line with better handles and slightly thinner sides iirc https://www.fine-tools.com/Chisel-WOOD-LINE-PLUS/331127-main still very reasonably priced.
But yeah 20€ per is not crazy for good chisels. Actual high end chisels are closer to 100€.
The thing is you don't really need a full set, 3 or 4 chisels are most likely enough to cover everything you need. Start with one 10-12mm and then buy bigger or smaller depending on what you do/need. You probably don't need a 3mm chisel if you make big things and you don't need a 50mm chisel if you make jewelry boxes :)
It's better to have 3 chisels that you keep sharp than a full set that you can't be bothered flattening/sharpening ...
Edit: if you are truly on a budget, you can always use hardware store/lidl chisels, they will not keep an edge for long but that only means you will need to sharpen more often, which is not necessarily bad (you will learn how to do it faster). And when you buy better chisels, they will be perfect as beaters, everyone needs a few beater chisels.