The 8 Best Concrete Chisels

Editor's Notes

February 11, 2021:

With all of our previous picks continuing to be sensible selections for this category, it was a fairly straightforward round of updates. However, we did move the Makita 3 Piece to the bottom of our list, recognizing that this set is intended for use with an SDS+ rotary hammer, and assuming that many of our users don’t own or have access to such a tool. Don’t get us wrong – if you’ve got money, and the job you’re tackling doesn’t require a lot of finesse – then power tools are the way to go, but this list in particular is focused on hand tools, and we didn’t want to get too far away from that.

We also added the Worksite PUN-C12 and Dasco Pro G337 to our list. Both selections caught our eye with their budget-friendly costs and integrated hand guards, which offer similar protection to other options on our list, like the Stanley FatMax FMHT16578 and Lestino Flat End.

As was suggested earlier in this editor’s note, while hand tools still do, and likely always will, have a place in construction – when finesse is demanded or where power tools aren’t available – that doesn’t stop them from being quite limited in the utility they can offer. With that in mind, if you’re gearing up for a major demolition project, chisels might help, but we still recommend considering the purchase or rental of a rotary hammer or demoliton hammer.

August 30, 2019:

Like masonry chisels, concrete chisels prove useful when you’re clearing mortar from brickwork or cutting concrete slabs apart. They also can aid in demolition, especially when they’re designed to be inserted into an electric rotary hammer. Smaller, strictly handheld selections can be useful for rockhounding and sculpting.

The Stanley FatMax FMHT16578 is a tool that’s both durable and safety-minded, with a protective component that safeguards your hand from glancing hammer blows. Its soft handle is comfortable in the hand, and it’ll stand out on your tool bench, thanks to its bright yellow color. You can buy it with confidence, thanks to its lifetime warranty.

For a flat-blade set that’s ideal for chipping brickwork, metal, and stone, look to the Maxpower All Purpose, which comes with three tools of varying sizes, and each fits comfortably in your hand. Like the Stanley FatMax, they’re easy to spot, in this case because of their cheery red color. They come with a convenient canvas storage bag that protects them when not in use.

The Makita 3 Piece is a handy set for demolishing masonry, tile, cinder block, and other materials, and it comes with three bits – two that are flat and one that is pointed. They’re for use with an electric rotary hammer. They’re heat-treated for strength, so they’ll hold up under heavy use. And, they’re conveniently laser-etched for identification.

Using sharp chisels such as these for cutting and carving is dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals. Eye protection should also be worn to avoid injury.