Customer Reviews

Grizzly G7102 Japanese Chisels - 10 pc. Set

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you're looking for a decent set of chisels, this set should do perfectly fine. I flattened the backs in an evening, sharpened them the next. They hold an edge very well. For the price, you just can't go wrong.

I gave the set 4 stars simply because the finish on the handles could be better.

These are pretty amazing for the price.

In fact, I bought a Japanese chisel at Woodcraft a few weeks before, and it was twice as much (per chisel), and exactly the same, except for the decals/labels. They appear to be precisely the same chisels that are sold at much higher prices elsewhere.

They are actually made in Japan, if you are curious, as opposed to "Japanese" chisels made somewhere else. These days, you can never be certain.

The handles could be just a little longer, but I am not complaining.

Japanese chisels are usually very expensive because of the way in which they are fabricated. These chisels are remarkably inexpensive compared to other sources. I received this set as a gift and immediately spent some time flattening the backs and then sharpening at 30 degrees up through 8000 grit. Mirror bright.

The edges chip and dull almost immediately, something you don't see with even soft metal chisels like Marples. This chipping was true across the entire set. The steel is very poor quality.

These chisels are not what you want if you expect to use them for quality woodworking. For the same money, you can get a much better set of Lee Valley or Hirsch chisels. I would avoid these.

The "best buy " rating on these chisels, by Fine Woodworking magazine is a little confusing - yes, most on-line & brick outfits that sell Japanese chisels are charging, maybe 3x more per chisel: but the Grizzly chisels are what are called "reform" style in Japan, and are used primarily for remodeling or rough work, and hence are made with little regard to fit and finish, and the laminated steel is a thin flat piece on the bottom, not the substantial u-shaped piece seen on cabinet grade chisels. That said, I own some myself, and if you know how to sharpen and care for them(or can do the research) they are a "best buy" compared to similarly priced Western chisels.But I would not buy "the set". For around the same price, buy a couple of cabinet grade Japanese chisels from a reputable retailer, and fill in the odd sizes or the ones you know you are going to abuse, with the "reform" style..either individually from Grizzly or another source. Who wants to box themselves in with a dozen entry level chisels?

I did lots of research before buying these chisels and found they were very close in quality to some much more expensive ones. If you are a professional woodworker and will use your chisels a lot, you may want to make the investment in the Matsumura Blue Steel chisels. They will hold their edge longer, but for the hobbyist or non-pro, the difference is negligible.

These Grizzly Chisels came virtually ready for use, something uncommon among chisels. Just a few passes on a 6000 grit sharpening stone and I could shave with them. If you don't care if your chisels are SCARY sharp and just like them sharp, then they are ready to use out of the box.

Their design makes them easy to use. They have solid construction and are well balanced. Far superior to Stanley's.

I was surprized at how good these feel. At a glance they look like the expensive Japanese chisels. There is nice lamination in the metal and they take a good enough edge.

I've read the reviews for these and others chisels in the FWW test. I was suprised to find it was pretty accurate in saying these were a great value along with the Narex western chisels (I have those also).

I prefer the western chisels for hand use (without a mallet), but the Japanese chisels are wonderful for chopping, and they do indeed seem to hold an edge longer than the Narex or the vintage stanley I have.

As one reviewer said the edge fails by little chips instead of rolling over (which is what I've experienced with the western chisels).

The set I have has held up very well, through many whacks with he mallet, and quite of bit of intentional abuse. I drove them through knots and even a brad, with decent results and minor damage to the edge. I even pried out waste with them (a no-no for japanese chisels).

It did seem to take me longer to sharpen these, especially after I had to restore an edge (dropped on concrete) with a large chip in it. but only because you are not suppose to grind them (I would normally hollow grind and then use stones). I think it is because of the hollowed area on the back of the chisel which make flatten a quick operation would be exposed on the edge too quickly with grinding (but I'm not sure).

Pros:
Edge lasts longer than most of my western chisels (they do fail/dull, just a little later and differently than my western chisels)

Short, easy to handle for chopping with a mallet

Price - for about ten per chisel, you get a very good edge

Cons:
Not great for using by hand (paring or like a butt chisel)

Thick edges are not good for chopping out dovetails or tight areas.

Sharpening can take longer, especially to restore an edge.

Overall I like the chisels for heavy chopping chores, but I find that I don't really perform those kind of operations as much (power tools :) and while these to hold an edge very well, I don't like working with them by hand (much prefer my old stanleys). If you want a set for dovetails, I'd look elsewhere. If I could easily rehandle these with a stanley 750 wasp style handle I'd say they were just about perfect (restoring an edge still being a negative).

I generally like Grizzly stuff but these chisels are not worth the money. As another user noted, after only a few strikes with the mallet cleaning dovetails the chisels chiped and broke off in large chunks. The fit and balance are great, but unless durability in actul work is fixed, you'd be wasting your money.