So I own about 30 different makes of chisels, one set was very expensive (Lie Nielsen). I own craftsman (sears) which were very inexpensive. All of them work well for me. I also bought a set of Narex chisels, the steel is excellent you can’t go wrong.
I used to sell metal cutting tools so I know a little bit about metallurgy. When Lie Nielsen decided not to make long paring chisels because of the difficulties of manufacturing a consistent hardness throughout a long length of steel I bought the Narex paring chisels.
The handles are terrible for me, but that is a matter of personal preference. They are a steal (pun intended) the fit of the handles and finish are not ideal for me. Make new handles if you need to, polish the backs and the mill marks out on the faces if that’s what you like but the chisels are the real deal at very reasonable prices.
As far as sizes go I have found that metric sizes can be handy to have around. Sometimes you need that size difference, a 1/2” chisel doesn’t make a 1/2” mortise, it’s going to be bigger. A slightly smaller size can be a handy thing.
Bottom line, in my opinion you can’t go wrong with the Narex as manufactured today.

Hello,

I’ve got a set of standard chisels from the Narex Wood Line Profi and a set of butt chisels from the Narex Wood Line Plus.
The Wood Line Profi are the replacement for the cheap Aldi-like chisels I tried before. They come with a nicely shaped handle, the varnishing is well made. One chisel got a very slight belly on the back side of the iron, the other ones are flat or very, very slightly hollow – nothing to complain about, imho. The steel shows much better edge retention than the cheap chisels I used before. Overall: very good performance for the money.

The Wood Line Plus chisels come with a flat back on the handle to prevent rolling around. Nice idea, but may feel a bit uncomfortable in the palm of the hand when working bevel down. The standard size Wood Line Plus chisels apparently come with round handles. All irons are flat (enough) on the back side. Until now I didn’t use the butt chisels for mortising, so I can’t say more than “the edge retention isn’t bad”.

Las year I visited the “Fine Tools” shop in Berlin and they sold me a dropped down 20mm wide chisel from the MHG Premium line for a reduced price. In comparision with the Narex chisels, the MHG is definitely a step up in material, workmanship and edge retention – at a higher price.
MHG also offers a “standard line” with a price tag slightly above the Narex Wood Line Profi chisels, but I’ve got no experiences yet.

On tight budget the Narex Wood Line Profi chisels are a good choice, imho.

For the future I’ll go for the MHG premium chisels: reasonable price, very good quality and made in Europe (Thuringia/Germany, to be exact 😉 ).

Ymmv,

E.

I don’t have any experience with Narex chisels but Harry Epstein is offering a set of four Narex chisels (with plastic and “rubber” handles) for $25.00 US. These are “in-between” sizes–8, 10, 16 and 32 mm (approximately 5/16″-1 1/4″).

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/narex-professional-wood-working-chisel-set-8606-01.html.

If the link doesn’t work, you can go to harryepstein dot com and search for “Narex”.

He also has some good prices on Arkansas oilstones and PEC measuring tools.

Dave

Hi Curtis,

I used traditional the two cherries chisels but needed a 50mm. Narex was my choice and will still be. They are available in three different categories (least in Germany)with different prices. I decided for the “low” price called “Woodline Profi” and the 50mm was € 17!. Good quality, sharp and easy to resharpen. I use now only Narex but still have the cherries

Ive been grabbing my new aldi chisels over anything else recently. I dont know if it has to do more with the quality or just the general appeal of getting fine results from a $2 chisel and how that puts a little smile on my face.

I have some narex chisels and I really like them, but did receive one with an issue, thought I sensed some movement in the handle and after a few blows I was sure of it, First customer service rep at highland told me they dont understand how a chisel could even “come apart”

I pulled the tang loose and posted a photo on their social media page and highland contacted me instantly -refunded me and told me to keep the chisel. No issues with any of the others after a year of use. I like them

I have sorby kangaroo brand chisels and the steel is amazing and the profile of the bevel edges is lovely.

My favorites overall i think are sorby and marples – I love the easy online access to brand new narex chisels in every size – but all in all, right now im mostly reaching for one of the aldi chisels without really thinking about it.