4 ms·

On the other side, a $15 chisel set is essentially fungible as well.

• mauvehaus 8y ago
  Counterintuitively, the $15 price point is probably the point at which they are least fungible. Consider a 1/2" chisel: $5 chisels are universally crap (terrible steel, terrible finish) $35 or thereabouts chisels (Stanley 750, Two Cherries) are almost universally fine (modulo weird personal preferences that some people have?). Companies manufacturing chisels at this price point tend to do a lot of QC or have their processes down to the point where they put out consistent product for year after year. $50 and up (potentially way up) chisels (Lie-Nielsen, Blue Spruce, Veritas) are probably all outstanding. I wouldn't know, I don't own any. At the $15 price point, some are decent, some aren't. The Buck Brother's chisels that are made in the USA are generally regarded as having decent steel. Some are rumored to have less flat backs than others. I have a 2" one that I like just fine (except that the handle is damnably uncomfortable where the striking cap meets the plastic; the blade, however, is well made). Somebody I knew had a Narex chisel at the $15 price point that wouldn't hold an edge well. I understand that Narex is generally considered reputable, so maybe that's an aberration, or maybe they've gone downhill. Point being, the midrange is kind of terra incognita for quality.
  • alacombe 8y ago
    I didn't say chisel, I said chisel set, ie. 3 or 4 chisel for $15, which once you factor Amazon's commission, import, is probably a $2 or $3 set from the Chinese factory.