Marples Blue Chip Chisels

Marples Blue Chip Chisels are a good set of chisels for the beginning/intermediate woodworker at a decent price. These are fairly thin bevel edge chisels, so they're not designed for heavy pounding. Although I've used them for mortising in soft wood like pine or poplar, I wouldn't try it with oak.

The chisels sharpen up fairly easily and take a decent edge. Edge retention is only fair, but it's not hard to get a sharp edge back in short order. The blue plastic handles are ugly, but fairly comfortable.

What's Good - Great value for the money.

What's Bad - The blue plastic handles are godawfully ugly.

• Price: About $35 for a set of five (also available in sets of four and six chisels as well as individually).
• Availabilty: Just about everyone carries these. I've even seen them at Home Depot.