I just saw that Katz-Moses is now offering Zen Wu Y-Chisels for $69 each. I'm curious if anyone has actually tried them. The chisels are rated at a hardness of 64, while my current ones are around 60 and 61. Is there a noticeable difference in edge retention and overall performance between chisels with a hardness of 60 versus 64?
3 Answers
Honestly, you probably won't notice much difference in edge retention. I’m not a metal expert, but I've read a lot online about hardness. 4 points difference isn’t like the Richter scale where small differences mean a lot—it's more like you'd get a few extra cuts before needing to sharpen.
If the chisels are too hard and chip easily, they might not be great for everyday use. A 64 HRC is pretty hard, but like others have said, you’ll find the real difference depends on how you use them and your own preferences. At the end of the day, all chisels will need sharpening eventually, so consider what feels right for your workflow.
I got to try one of these chisels a while back. To be honest, it felt a bit cheap for $70, given its origins. I tested it out alongside a budget set and found the budget set actually performed better after some handle adjustments. Overall, I felt like you can get better options out there without losing much—especially if you’re considering vintage chisels or other better-known brands.