If you want chisels that are as beautiful as the masterpiece you want to make, you must go for the Japanese chisel or nomi. In this article, I will introduce seven Japanese chisels and will talk about each one of them briefly. By the end of this article, you can decide for yourself which of these Japanese chisels are the best Japanese chisels and which one is perfect for you and your project or your job.
Choosing the best form this list can be very confusing since each of these chisels is beautiful and has its advantages and disadvantages. You have to focus on what you need and how you want the tool to look like because you will be using this tool for quite some time.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly Industrial G7095-1/2″ Japanese Chisel | The first one in our list of the best Japanese chisels is from Grizzly Industrial Store, and they specialize in providing the best tools you can find in the market today. It is also one of the cheapest in this list. | ||
| Fujimoto Hardened Japanese Chisel 30mm Yasushi Steel | The next product on our list of the best Japanese chisels is from Fujimoto, and this chisel is one of the most attractive chisels in this list. | ||
| Tataki Nomi INM Japanese Chisels | This next Japanese chisel or nomi is from Hosco, and it is one of the most straightforward yet most durable in this list. | ||
| HACHIEMON 3-piece Wood Chisel Set | Now we have a set of the best Japanese chisels, and it comes with three chisels per pack, making it very easy for you to choose and navigate through your work since you have three differently sized chisels in one set. | ||
| Japanese RIGORO Chisels NOMI Oire Chisel Carpenter’s Tool 12mm KAKUUCHI | Now we have the next product, a Japanese Rigoro Chise, and it has a very traditional design making it the best choice for those of you who are all for the aesthetics of the product. | ||
| SHINTARO Authentic Japanese Chisel Set 3 Pieces | Here is another set of the best Japanese chisels, and they are one of the most versatile and easy to use chisels in this list. | ||
| New Kawasei Japanese Kuri Kogatana Knife / Chisel Knife | Finally, we have a product that is a bit different from all the other Nomis in this list but still has the same quality with each of them. |
Detailed Reviews of the 7 Best Japanese Chisels
Grizzly Industrial G7095-1/2″ Japanese Chisel
The first one in our list of the best Japanese chisels is from Grizzly Industrial Store, and they specialize in providing the best tools you can find in the market today. It is also one of the cheapest in this list.
Product Highlights
This Nomi can be bought for only $25.95, and it is made from very hard, high carbon alloy and weighs twenty-five pounds.
Also, it is very sharp and can even be sharper once sharpened against a smooth stone.
The Good
The chisel is not that heavy and is also very cheap. It does its job well and has already been sharpened before sending it to the buyer.
Furthermore, it is lightweight, making it very convenient for those of you who love being able to control the chisel and just how much pressure you get into it when carving or when working on a project.
The Bad
It does not come in different size variants, and the lower part of the chisel can arrive with dents or marks that are not pleasant to look at. Also, the assembly seems rushed.
PROs
- It is cheap
- Pre-sharpened product
- It is lightweight
CONs
- Poor assembly work
- Does not come in different sizes
- The lower part comes with dents
Fujimoto Hardened Japanese Chisel 30mm Yasushi Steel
The next product on our list of the best Japanese chisels is from Fujimoto, and this chisel is one of the most attractive chisels in this list.
Product Highlights
It can be bought for only $82.34, and it looks beautiful. Also, it comes in different measurements and variants and is in color black.
It weighs 6.3 ounces and measures 8.66 inches by 1.18 inches by 1.18 inches, making it very handy.
The Good
The product is lightweight and is very attractive, so, aside from using it for your work, you can have it displayed neatly in your workshop. Also, it comes in different sizes and measurements, making it very practical for those of you who do not like having to look for other measures in different brands.
The Bad
The black color on this product comes off after a few uses, and it does not arrive with a razor-sharp blade.
Furthermore, the company does not provide any warranty for you to return the product in case it arrives broken.
PROs
- Very traditional in appearance
- Has an attractive design
- It is lightweight
CONs
- Black paint chips off
- Not razor-sharp
- Does not come with a warranty
Tataki Nomi INM Japanese Chisels
This next Japanese chisel or nomi is from Hosco, and it is one of the most straightforward yet most durable in this list.
Product Highlights
The product twenty-five millimeters in length and is made in Japan. It has alloy steel-lined backs and hollow ground handles that reduce friction when cutting and to cause flattening the back bevel easier and so that you can apply much pressure against it.
The Good
This product is very light, and it is the go-to for those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to use chisels like this before. Also, it has a straightforward design and is very easy to handle.
Aside from that, it is also very light so that you can bring it anywhere, and you can work with it without having to worry about your sore wrists.
The Bad
If you are a person of aesthetics and would like your tools to have more design and character, then do not go for this chisel. It is effortless in design. It does not come in different sizes, so you won’t have the chance to choose.
PROs
- It is lightweight
- It is simple
- Easy to use
CONs
- Does not have any design
- Does not come in different sizes
- Not sharp enough
HACHIEMON 3-piece Wood Chisel Set
Now we have a set of the best Japanese chisels, and it comes with three chisels per pack, making it very easy for you to choose and navigate through your work since you have three differently sized chisels in one set.
Product Highlights
The package comes with three chisels with different measurements each. This gives you more choices and more access to your work.
It can also be bought for only $54.41, and each chisel has very traditional designs to give you that Japanese feel.
The Good
This package is one of the most convenient on this list, and the chisels in this set are very light. Also, they are straightforward to use and have traditional designs.
The Bad
The chisels’ paint can chip off, and the chisels haven’t been sharpened well before sending them. Also, they can look very run down or ragged when they arrive.
PROs
- It is convenient
- It is lightweight
- Easy to use
CONs
- Paint chips off
- Not sharpened
- Looks ragged
Japanese RIGORO Chisels NOMI Oire Chisel Carpenter’s Tool 12mm KAKUUCHI
Now we have the next product, a Japanese Rigoro Chise, and it has a very traditional design making it the best choice for those of you who are all for the aesthetics of the product.
Product Highlights
The chisel measures 215 millimeters and weighs about 130 grams. It is basically in brown and black with red and white designs.
This product is straightforward and serves its purpose well, and it has been in a size that can be used for any purpose.
The Good
This chisel is lightweight and has a very traditional design. Also, it does not come in different sizes or variations.
The Bad
The paint can come off in no time, and the blade can also be pulled out from the bevel of this chisel.
PROs
- Traditional style
- It is lightweight
- Easy to use
CONs
- Paint chips off
- The blade can come off
- Does not come in different sizes
SHINTARO Authentic Japanese Chisel Set 3 Pieces
Here is another set of the best Japanese chisels, and they are one of the most versatile and easy to use chisels in this list.
Product Highlights
This set comes with three chisels, and it can be bought for $69. And they are made of hand-forged laminated Japanese High-carbon steel and have a single hollow-ground back.
The handle is also made of Japanese White Oak with a heavy-duty steel ring that keeps it well balanced. Lastly, it has been sharpened in the factory.
The Good
It comes with three chisels that have different measurements, each making it very convenient. Also, the handle is made of Japanese White Oak, making it very durable and well-balanced.
Furthermore, the steel has been sharpened in the factory so you can use the chisels immediately upon arrival.
The Bad
The chisels do not look like Nomis, and the set is a bit expensive compared to the ones that we have encountered in this list.
Also, these chisels don’t have designs, so it will be difficult for you to identify them among your tools or if you have different types of chisels.
PROs
- Comes in different sizes
- It is made of Japanese White Oak
- Well balanced construction
CONs
- A little expensive
- Does not have designs
- Handles are not easy to grip
New Kawasei Japanese Kuri Kogatana Knife / Chisel Knife
Finally, we have a product that is a bit different from all the other Nomis in this list but still has the same quality with each of them.
Product Highlights
This product is made in Japan and can be bought for $70.81 each. It is 172 millimeters in length and is made of steel and wood.
It is made of red oak, so it is straightforward to handle and is very durable. Also, it is lightweight and is very easy to take or use.
The Good
The chisel is made in Japan, and it is made of red oak, making it very durable and easy to use and bring anywhere because it is lightweight.
The Bad
This chisel is very expensive and does not come in different variants. Also, it has not been polished or sharpened and looks very flimsy.
PROs
- Made of red oak
- It is durable
- Very rustic looking
CONs
- Does not come in different sizes
- It is flimsy
- A bit expensive
Conclusion
The Japanese Chisel of the Nomi is a tool widely used by sculptors and other artisans to complete or construct their work. They have been used for ages as one of the most useful tools in the craft. In this article, I introduced the best Japanese chisels in the market nowadays, and it will be up to you to choose which one is the best for you and your craft. All you have to do is check all the details and check the pictures of these Japanese chisels. Here’s how to learn more about chisels.