Unpopular take: Those $100+ Japanese chisels are overrated for rough framing

I see everyone on here flexing their blue steel chisels but honestly my $15 hardware store set has outlasted my buddy's pricey ones after 3 years of daily use on job sites in Houston. The difference I noticed was he spent more time sharpening and being precious with his tools while I just beat mine through wet lumber and replaced them when they got dull. What's the point of a fancy chisel if you're scared to use it for actual work? Who else just runs cheap chisels on framing jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

ryan_ellis1mo ago

Used to drink the Kool-Aid on fancy chisels but your post has me rethinking everything.

the_hugo1mo ago

Buddy of mine bought a $200 chisel set, said the edge rolled first day.

the_jason1mo ago

The $120 Japanese chisels I bought five years ago still haven't held an edge as well as the old Stanley I got at a garage sale for eight bucks. What specific brand made you look twice before you started questioning the whole premium tool thing? I am curious if it was a trigger moment or just a slow burn over time.