Zen-Wu N-1 Chisel

Compared to a standard bench chisel, our N-1 Chinese-style chisel has a shorter handle and outward-splayed sides. The shorter handle keeps it steady when chopping and sits naturally in your palm when paring.

That small flare gives the chisel a bit more reach in tight corners. It also gives the chisel room in a mortise or deep cut, making it less likely to bind. The long, clean side lines still let it take registered and skewed cuts when cleaning up joints.

The tradeoff is that chopping a straight mortise takes a little practice, although the form allows angle correction halfway through.

ZW-C2 carbon steel, heat-treated to 64 HRC. Handle in reclaimed old-growth red ring-cupped oak.

Care and use instructions