DeWalt 3 pc Side Strike Wood Chisel Set

Why I reached for this set

A lot of chisels promise to be both shop-accurate and jobsite-tough. This DeWalt chisel set comes closer than most because it embraces a very jobsite-centric idea: besides the primary cutting edge, the sides are sharpened for scraping and light demolition, and there’s even a serrated section for quick scoring. That versatility drew me in. I carried the set through a few weeks of door hardware installs, trim fitting, and general carpentry to see where it shines—and where it doesn’t.

Build, balance, and ergonomics

Each chisel has a curved, bi‑material handle with a steel strike cap. The shape fills the hand without being bulky, and the overmold keeps a reliable grip even when dusty. There’s a subtle flare near the ferrule that made paring grips natural; I could choke up and keep the blade tracking true. Balance is slightly forward, which I like for controlled paring—there’s enough nose weight that the tool wants to cut without needing to force it.

The strike cap is genuinely hardened. I drove these with a wooden mallet and, intentionally, a steel hammer. No mushrooming, and the vibration damping is respectable. If you’re accustomed to babying fine bench chisels, you’ll appreciate the freedom to grab what’s in your pouch and go.

Out of the package (blister pack, with basic tip protection), the backs were acceptably flat and the primary edges were serviceably sharp. I still lapped and honed them, as I would any chisel. A 25° primary with a quick 30° micro‑bevel gave me the best mix of push-cut performance and durability.

Cutting performance

• 3/4 in (18 mm): My go‑to for hinge gains and latch plates. With a fresh hone, it sliced end grain cleanly in maple face frames and left a tight shoulder in pine jambs.
• 1 in (25 mm): The “universal” size. I used it to pare door strikes, clean dado shoulders, and create tiny reliefs in casing for perfect miters. Control was predictable, and the edge tracked straight with light hand pressure.
• 1‑1/4 in (32 mm): Best for wider mortises and flushing proud plugs or patches. The extra width also made this the most stable for broad paring cuts.

On softwoods and most hardwood trim, edge quality was clean with minimal fuzzing. On very hard, knotty stock (think white oak thresholds or mystery old-growth framing), I did see some micro-chipping at the corners, especially when the chisel met a patch of grit or old finish. Opening the bevel a degree or two (or adding a slightly wider micro‑bevel) mitigated that. This is typical for tough carbon-chrome steel that aims for jobsite durability rather than boutique edge retention; it wants sensible angles and regular touch-ups, not ultra-thin, fragile edges.

The side-strike and serrated features: gimmick or gain?

This is where the set differentiates itself.

• Side cutting edges: The long side bevels are sharpened and backed by a hardened side‑strike surface. I used them to scrape glue squeeze‑out, undercut fibers in a hinge mortise corner, and shave paint ridges. With a few taps on the side, the chisel works like a controlled scraper that can also slice. It’s genuinely useful for trim removal too: slice the caulk with the side edge and gently pry without immediately destroying the drywall paper. It’s not a pry bar, but it’s far safer and more precise than a utility knife in many cases.

• Serrated section: I was skeptical. In use, the serrations earn their keep for cross-grain scoring. On small custom moldings, scoring a short kerf to define depth made subsequent paring faster and more accurate. They also work for rounding tiny corners by “nibbling” rather than sanding. The trade-off is that if you forget and treat that section like a polished cutting edge, it can leave faint tracks. Once you form the habit of using the serrations intentionally and keeping your true cutting strokes on the polished edge, it’s an asset.

These features are added capability, not replacements for standard technique. They save time on site, and that’s their real value.

Durability and maintenance

The blades are hardened, tempered carbon‑chrome steel. That’s not stainless. If you set a gluey chisel down and come back after lunch, you may return to light rust staining. Wipe them off and add a thin coat of oil at the end of the day and you’ll be fine. I kept a waxed rag in the pouch and made a quick pass after use—problem solved.

Edge retention is good, not elite. If your week includes demolition, old paint, embedded grit, and framing lumber, plan on a couple of quick touch‑ups. A leather strop with compound between tasks stretches the time between stones. For heavy chopping, a 30–35° micro‑bevel keeps the edge from crumbling; for delicate paring, drop back to 30° and accept that you’ll sharpen more often.

The strike caps and handles held up. After repeated hammer strikes, no splitting, and no loosening at the tang. The side‑strike surface didn’t ding or roll under moderate taps.

Jobsite vs. fine furniture

These aren’t thin‑land, ultra‑refined bench chisels for dovetail tails and whisper‑thin paring in figured hardwood. The side cutting edges and serrations make that clear. They’re built for doors, trim, casework fitting, and the kind of small corrective cuts that jobsite carpentry constantly demands. In that context, they’re fast and forgiving.

In the shop, I still reached for them to clean rabbets and trim laminations flush because the handles are comfortable and the edges are easy to refresh. For show-surface joinery in dense hardwoods, I’d want a finer-ground, higher-hardness steel to keep a surgical edge longer.

What I’d change

• Include a proper storage roll. The blister pack is throwaway, and those sharpened side edges deserve blade guards.
• Offer a 1/2 in chisel in the set or as a companion. The jump from 3/4 in to 1 in leaves out a very common utility size for tight work.
• Factory honing could be a touch finer. They cut out of the box, but a quick hone elevates them—why not ship them that way?

Safety and technique notes

• Those side edges are sharp. Keep the guards on when not in use and be mindful of your off‑hand. They’re great for scraping, but they’ll happily cut a finger that wanders into their path.
• Use the side‑strike feature for controlled taps, not prying. If you need to pry, reach for a pry bar.
• On hinges and strikes, scribe your lines deeply and use the serrated section to score the waste side. It dramatically reduces tear-out when you pare to the line.

Specs that matter

• Sizes: 3/4 in, 1 in, 1‑1/4 in cover most door and trim tasks.
• Steel: hardened, tempered carbon‑chrome; easy to hone, reasonable edge life.
• Handles: curved bi‑material with hardened steel strike caps; comfortable and durable.
• Warranty: 1‑year limited.

The bottom line

I kept these in my everyday kit because they solve real jobsite problems quickly. The combination of hardened strike caps, usable side edges, and the little serrated trick makes the set more versatile than a conventional three‑piece kit. Edge retention is solid if you choose sensible bevels and maintain them; rust requires basic care, as with any high‑carbon tool.

Recommendation: I recommend this DeWalt chisel set for carpenters, remodelers, and serious DIYers who need a tough, versatile set for doors, trim, and general fitting work. You’ll appreciate the side‑strike and serrated features once you put them to use, and the handles make long sessions comfortable. If your priority is heirloom‑level edge retention for fine joinery in dense hardwoods, look elsewhere. For jobsite speed and control with honest durability, this set earns its spot.