Narex Czech Steel Professional Woodworking Cabinetmakers Mortise Chisel with Stained European Beech Wood Handle Sizes from 4 mm to 12 mm 811205-811212 (5 mm - 3/16")

I will honestly say that I expected a little bit better given the other good reviews and videos I have seen. But when I opened the package and finally handled the chisel the handle feels cheap. It says it’s made of beech but the handle is extremely light weight and even with the ferrules on it I believe it will split off from the chisel without much use. (Not a huge deal I can make another and was going to anyway) The main thing is that I took 10-15 minutes to sharpen it really good and it took a good edge, good right? Well yes and no. It did take a great edge and is easy to sharpen but I don’t think the metal is heat treated or hardened properly. After about 5 light chops into some straight grain white oak the edge has rolled over in two spots and chipped in another.Does it work, Yes. Did i expect better, Yes. I’m not entirely sure if I just got a lemon or what but the metal should not deform like that after 20 seconds of use. Granted white oak is very tough so it may be fine for other woods like pine, poplar, cherry, and walnut. It is usable and will take the abuse of chopping a deep mortise which is why i bought it but I am disappointed with it for now. It will work but it’s not as nice as I hoped it would be.Alternatively I have a set of Stanley 750 sweet heart bench chisels that are a couple years old and they have been great. The steel has held up great and even chopping mortises in white they don’t chip or deform the edge. They aren’t meant for heavy mortising (5” deep) that is why I bought this. This will get the bulk of the material out but those will have to come in and finish the clean up.

Works like a charm with a heavier mallet.

Sharp easy to use comfortable handles

As per every chisel buy you need to “tune” it but it works great. Purchased 3 more

It works, more or less. The sides are not at all square to the back, which was a disappointment, since it rules out using a guide I the way that I planned..

It did take a little while to grind off that polish on the back and flatten it but I got an edge on this thing that I’ve never been able to get on even a knife! It held too. Been doing a bunch of mortise holes and this is my go to. Love it and perfect size

I own 2 of these mortise chisels. Before using, please make sure you remove the lacquer from blade, at least beyond the useable surfaces.Like most chisels, you need to spend some time to flatten the back and sharpen the bevel. Do yourself a favor and hollow grind the bevel first. That makes it much easier to register the bevel face on your sharpening surface.

Considering these are some of the least expensive craftsman grade chisels, you would expect to have to refine the edge on these much more often than I have found necessary. While I mainly work with pine, these mortising chisels will chop cleanly through all of the most common hardwoods. If you have ever made square mortises with a bench chisel, you’ll know what it feels like to have to use the wrong tool for the job, and trust me when I tell you that THIS is the right tool, and will make your woodworking life much easier