If you’ve ever chopped a dovetail with a chisel that came free in a drill combo kit, you already know the problem: the back was never flat, the edge went dull by lunch, and the thick sides fought you in every tight corner. A good bevel edge chisel set fixes all three of those at once, and the Narex Richter Extra line has built a reputation among serious woodworkers as the set that does it without the premium-brand price tag. I picked up the 853654 4-piece set to see whether that reputation holds up on real cabinet and finish carpentry work — not just dovetail practice on scrap pine.
Quick Summary:
- Product: Narex 853654 Richter Extra Bevel Edge Chisel Set (4-piece, no box)
- Sizes: 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″
- Steel: Cryogenically treated chrome-vanadium, hardened to 62 HRc
- Best For: Dovetails, cabinet joinery, and anyone who’s outgrown a big-box starter set
Why I Went With Narex
Narex has been making chisels in the small Czech village of Bystrice since 1919. The Richter line was released for the company’s 100th anniversary, and it’s the sharpest, best-finished chisel Narex makes. Woodworking forums that don’t have a horse in the race — LumberJocks, FineWoodworking — consistently point to these as the value pick that gets compared against premium American brands like Lie-Nielsen at less than half the price. That’s the kind of reputation that doesn’t come from marketing.
Pros:
- Backs arrive very flat — minimal lapping needed before first use
- Ultra-thin ground sides get into tight dovetail corners without wedging
- Cryogenic treatment holds an edge noticeably longer than standard hardened steel
- European ash handles are comfortable for both hand pressure and mallet work
- Real value against premium brands at a fraction of the price
Cons:
- Steel is tough and holds an edge well, but that also makes it slower to sharpen than softer steels
- Handles are on the fatter side — some woodworkers prefer a slimmer traditional profile
- This 4-piece set doesn’t include a box or tool roll — you’ll want to add one separately for storage
- No 3/8″ size in this set — it jumps from 1/4″ straight to 1/2″
Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sizes Included | 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″ |
| Blade Steel | Chrome-vanadium, cryogenically treated |
| Hardness | 62 HRc |
| Bevel Angle | 24° |
| Handle Material | European ash |
| Ferrule | Solid stainless steel |
| Made In | Czech Republic |
| Storage | Not included (no box or roll) |
Hands-On Notes
Out of the sleeve, these needed only a few passes on a fine stone before the backs were mirror-flat — nothing like the hour of lapping I’ve sunk into cheaper sets just to get a chisel that isn’t rocking on the bevel. The thin ground sides are the real story here: on face-frame dovetails, they slide into the corner without the blade wedging against the tail like a thicker chisel will.
The steel takes some patience to sharpen the first time — it’s harder than what you’ll find in a big-box set, and that hardness is exactly why the edge lasts. Once I got a system down with my stones, touch-ups take seconds and the edge holds through a full afternoon of joinery instead of needing a mid-project resharpen.
The ash handles are heavier and rounder than the slim-profile chisels some old-school woodworkers prefer, but for mallet work on mortises and hinge gains, the extra mass in hand is welcome. I haven’t had any issue with the handle chipping or splitting under regular mallet blows.
One thing worth flagging before you buy: this specific 4-piece set doesn’t come in a box or roll, just the four chisels. If you want a wooden presentation box, Narex sells a 5-piece version (853600) that includes one — but it’s a noticeably higher price for one extra size and a box you may not need if you already have a chisel rack or roll.
Final Verdict
Our Rating: ★★★★★ — A genuine step up from anything you’ll find in a big-box combo kit, at a price that doesn’t require justifying to your spouse.
If you’re still working with the chisels that came free in a drill kit, or you’ve been eyeing premium American brands but can’t stomach the price, this set is exactly the upgrade to make. The thin sides make it a genuinely good dovetail chisel, and the steel holds an edge well enough that you’re not stopping mid-project to resharpen. Budget separately for a chisel roll or wall rack since this set doesn’t include storage.
FAQs About the Narex Richter Chisel Set
Q: Do these chisels come sharp out of the box? A: Mostly. They arrive with a keen factory edge, but I’d still recommend a light honing pass before first use — that’s true of any quality chisel, not a knock against Narex specifically.
Q: Is the 4-piece set missing anything I’ll need? A: The main gap is a 3/8″ chisel, which some joinery work calls for. You can buy individual Richter chisels separately in that size if you need it.
Q: How does this compare to Lie-Nielsen or Veritas chisels? A: Those premium brands generally have nicer cosmetic finishing and slightly different steel formulations, but woodworking forums consistently rate the Richter’s actual cutting performance as close, at less than half the price.
Q: What’s the difference between this set and the boxed 853600 version? A: The 853600 is a 5-piece set (adds a 3/8″) that comes in a wooden presentation box. This 853654 set is 4 pieces with no box — a better value if you already have somewhere to store your chisels.
Q: Can these handle mallet work, or are they hand-pressure only? A: They’re built for both. The domed ash handle is designed to take mallet blows without chipping or splitting.
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