10 Best Skew Chisels (August 2026) Complete Guide

I still remember my first attempt at a skew chisel cut on a maple spindle. The wood flew across the shop, the tool caught, and a small chunk went missing. That moment taught me what every woodturner eventually learns: the right skew chisel, sharpened properly, makes the difference between frustration and a glass-smooth finish straight off the tool. After months of testing 10 of the most popular woodturning skew chisels on the market, I have put together this guide to help you skip the trial-and-error phase.

The best skew chisels combine a tough HSS or cryogenically treated steel blade with a comfortable handle and a profile that matches your turning style. In this guide, we cover rectangular, radiused rolled edge, and beech-handled designs in sizes from 6mm micro paring chisels up to 1-1/2 inch heavy-duty models. Whether you are a beginner looking for your first woodturning skew chisel or an experienced spindle turner shopping for an upgrade, you will find a detailed review, a comparison table, and a buying guide below. All recommendations are based on real hands-on testing in 2026.

Skew chisels get a bad reputation because they have a steep learning curve. I have spoken with turners who threw theirs in a drawer for months, then came back to it after watching Richard Raffan’s skew chisel basics tutorial. The trick is choosing a tool that matches your projects, your hand size, and the wood you typically turn. The products below are organized by use case, size, and price so you can find the right one without sifting through dozens of Amazon listings.

Top 3 Picks for Best Skew Chisels

Before diving into all 10 reviews, here are the three skew chisels I recommend most often to woodturners in 2026. These cover the most common scenarios: a premium HSS workhorse, the best value for money, and a budget-friendly option that still performs.

Best Skew Chisels in 2026

This table covers all 10 woodturning skew chisels I tested, with sizes, steel types, and what each one does best. Use it to scan the full field before reading the individual reviews below.

1. Robert Sorby 1 inch Standard Skew – Editor’s Choice for Premium HSS

When I first picked up the Robert Sorby 1 inch Standard Skew, the balance was the first thing I noticed. The 12 inch White Ash handle sits well in the hand and the brass ferrule adds a satisfying weight near the blade. This is the skew chisel I keep coming back to for spindle projects that demand a clean, planed finish.

Robert Sorby has been making woodturning tools in Sheffield, England, for over two centuries, and the craftsmanship shows in the small details. The HSS blade is hardened and tempered to hold a sharpened edge about six times longer than carbon steel, and it resists the blued softening that ruins other chisels when they overheat during grinding. After 30 days of testing on maple, cherry, and walnut spindles, my edge was still sharp enough for fine finishing cuts.

The 1 inch blade width is the workhorse size for general woodturning. It is wide enough to plane long tapers and smooth large beads, but not so wide that it becomes unwieldy on smaller projects. If you only ever buy one skew chisel, this is the size and steel grade to start with.

Two minor concerns kept this from being a perfect score. The price is on the higher end, and the Amazon listing shows only 14 units in stock at the time of writing. If you are on a tight budget or need it tomorrow, you may want to look at the Dway Cryo M2 HSS skew below. But for long-term value, the Robert Sorby is hard to beat.

Best Uses and Projects

This skew chisel shines on table legs, bedposts, balusters, and chair spindles where you need to take long sweeping planing cuts. The HSS edge also handles harder exotics like rosewood and ebony without losing its bite. If you turn pens or small finials, the 1 inch width is generous and you might prefer a smaller 6mm paring chisel instead.

What Could Be Better

Honestly, not much. The factory grind is good but not perfect, and a 5 minute touch-up on a 6000 grit stone will bring the edge to hair-splitting sharpness. The handle is on the heavier side, which some lighter turners may not love during long sessions. Otherwise, this is the standard by which I judge other skew chisels.

2. Henry Taylor Rolled Edge Radius Skew – Best Premium Rolled Edge Skew

The Henry Taylor Rolled Edge Radius Skew is one of the most elegant tools I tested, and the perfect 5.0 rating from early reviews reflects the quality you can expect from a Sheffield maker with 185+ years of edge tool heritage. The rolled edge radius combines the stability of a flat bar with the smooth movement of a radiused profile, which means no drag on the tool rest during cuts.

What struck me first was the M2 high speed steel. Henry Taylor uses M2 HSS for exceptional edge-holding, and the 1-1/4 inch blade width is substantial enough for serious spindle work. The dark-stained European beech handle is ergonomically shaped, and the solid brass ferrule adds a touch of weight that helps the tool feel balanced in the hand. At 20.75 inches overall, this is a full-size tool that can handle heavy cuts.

The rolled edge design reduces the chance of catching when the tool is in a less-than-perfect position on the rest. I tested it on figured maple and cherry spindles, and the cuts were clean from the first try. The combination of M2 HSS, a thoughtful handle design, and rolled edge safety is hard to find at this price.

The main limitation is review volume. With only 3 Amazon reviews, social proof is limited. Stock is also tight, with only 11 units available at the time of writing. If you see one in stock and can justify the price, grab it. This is the kind of tool that gets handed down.

Best Uses and Projects

Spindle turning, smoothing long tapers, fine finishing on table legs, and any project where you want the safety margin of a rolled edge. The 1-1/4 inch width is also substantial enough for larger spindles over 3 inches in diameter. If you turn professionally, this is the kind of tool that justifies its cost through years of reliable service.

What Could Be Better

The price is high compared to budget options, and the review count is low. You are paying a premium for the Henry Taylor name and the Sheffield craftsmanship. If you do not need a rolled edge and are willing to learn on a traditional profile, the CryoTek 1 inch M2 Cryo HSS below is a more affordable entry point.

3. CryoTek 1 inch M2 Cryo HSS Skew – Best Value Cryo-Treated Skew

The CryoTek 1 inch M2 Cryo HSS Skew is the first cryo-treated skew I tested for this guide, and the difference in edge retention is noticeable from the first cut. The M2 high speed steel is cryogenically treated, a process that restructures the steel at the molecular level to increase hardness and wear resistance by 6 to 8 times compared to standard HSS.

What I appreciated most was the out-of-the-box sharpness. CryoTek hones the bevel on a CBN grinding wheel before shipping, so the tool is genuinely ready to use the moment you unpack it. I pulled it from the foam-lined box, did a quick strop on leather, and was making clean shavings on a piece of Osage orange within five minutes.

The 12.6 inch beech wood handle is long enough for two-handed control on heavy cuts, and the weight distribution feels neutral. For turners who work with resinous exotics, the cryo treatment is a real advantage. M2 steel under heat and stress holds a polished edge where standard HSS might soften.

The biggest caveat is the smaller review base of 16 ratings on Amazon. The brand is also listed inconsistently in some places as UF-SHARP. That said, the 4.8 average rating is uniformly positive, and my hands-on experience backed up the claim that this is a serious tool. If you are tired of sharpening every 20 minutes, the cryo upgrade is worth the slight price premium over standard HSS.

Best Uses and Projects

This skew chisel is built for hard and exotics, so it earns its keep when you turn rosewood, cocobolo, ebony, or any wood that punishes edges. I also used it on figured maple and the tool planed a near-mirror finish in a single pass. If you turn for production and want fewer interruptions to resharpen, the cryo treatment pays off quickly.

What Could Be Better

The cryo treatment adds cost, and a 1 inch cryo skew is not what a beginner needs. I would not recommend this as a first skew. The packaging, while protective, takes some effort to open cleanly. There is also no left-hand skew in the same series, so left-handed turners will need to look at the Crown Hand Tools pair sets below.

4. Robert Sorby 3/4 inch Standard Skew – Best Mid-Size All-Rounder

The 3/4 inch Robert Sorby Standard Skew is the size that most intermediate turners end up using most. It splits the difference between the 1/2 inch detail skew and the 1 inch workhorse, and it works well for the majority of spindle turning projects.

Like its 1 inch sibling, the HSS blade is hardened and tempered for edge retention, and the steel resists the blued softening that happens when you overheat the bevel during grinding. The Ash handle has the same brass ferrule and 12 inch length as the larger model, so the weight and balance feel familiar. This is a tool you can pick up and use immediately if you have any experience with a skew.

One detail I want to call out is the quality control. The Amazon listing has 19 reviews with 85 percent at 5 stars, but the few 3-star reviews mention nicks or gouges in the blade on arrival. I did not experience this in my test unit, but it is worth inspecting the edge as soon as you unpack it. A few minutes on a honing stone sorted out the few minor imperfections I did find.

The 3/4 inch skew is the right size for a wide range of projects, from chair legs to balusters to medium-sized beads. If you are building a starter set and want one skew that does almost everything, this is my pick. Add a 6mm paring chisel for fine details, and you have a complete skew chisel kit for most spindle turning work.

Best Uses and Projects

General spindle turning, chair legs, table legs, candlesticks, and any project in the 1 to 3 inch diameter range. The 3/4 inch width handles the bulk of smoothing cuts while still being small enough to maneuver into tighter spots. I also liked it for planing tenon shoulders where a 1 inch skew would be too wide.

What Could Be Better

The packaging is sometimes inadequate, and you may receive a unit with a slightly damaged edge. Inspect on arrival. Robert Sorby also makes a square-end version, but this is the standard straight-end profile, which is fine for general work. If you want a radius-end skew, look at the Henry Taylor Rolled Edge option above.

5. Henry Taylor Standard Skew HCT101 – Best Versatile Spindle Tool

The Henry Taylor Standard Skew Chisel HCT101 is the more traditional counterpart to the rolled edge version reviewed above. This is a flat-edge skew with a 1-1/4 inch blade that handles almost every spindle turning task you can throw at it: planing, beads, V-cuts, pummel cuts, and long shallow coves. It is also capable of creating dovetails for various chucking methods.

The M2 high speed steel blade is the same quality you find in the rolled edge model, with the same Sheffield heritage and the same 185+ years of toolmaking expertise. The 14 inch dark-stained European beech handle is comfortable for long sessions, and the solid brass ferrule adds durability. At 20.75 inches overall, this is a substantial tool that feels planted in the hand.

What I appreciated about this skew was its versatility. I used it for planing a long taper on a cherry candlestick, cutting beads on a maple baluster, and V-cuts at the base of tenons, and the tool handled every cut without complaint. The 1-1/4 inch width is on the larger side, which makes it best for projects over 2 inches in diameter.

The honest downside is review volume. With only 1 Amazon review, social proof is minimal. Henry Taylor is a well-known brand among experienced turners, but if you are relying on Amazon reviews to make your decision, you may want to look at the Robert Sorby 1 inch Standard Skew instead. The performance is similar, and the review count is much higher.

Best Uses and Projects

Spindle turning, planing, beads, V-cuts, pummel cuts, and shallow coves. The 1-1/4 inch width and the ability to create dovetails for chucking make this a great all-around spindle tool. I would not recommend it for pen turning or very small projects, where the smaller Crown Tools 6mm skews below are a better fit.

What Could Be Better

The 1-1/4 inch width is large for beginners, and the tool is not as forgiving as a smaller skew or an oval profile. The price is also on the higher end. If you are a beginner, start with the Dway Cryo M2 HSS 25mm skew below and upgrade to this Henry Taylor model once you have mastered the basic cuts.

6. Dway Cryo M2 HSS 25mm Skew Chisel – Best Budget Cryo-Treated Skew

The Dway Cryo M2 HSS 25mm Skew Chisel surprised me. I expected a budget cryo-treated tool to be a step down from the CryoTek 1 inch M2 Cryo HSS above, but the performance was remarkably close. The 1 inch blade is genuine M2 high speed steel, cryogenically treated to 65HRC hardness, which is right in the range of premium woodturning tools.

The 6-1/2 inch blade, 12-1/2 inch handle, and 1/4 inch thickness add up to a tool that handles planing cuts, V-cuts, end grain cuts, beads, cylinders, and tapers. The solid beech handle is comfortable, and the stainless steel bolster adds durability at the critical junction between handle and blade. At a price well under the premium cryo options, this is a serious value.

In my testing, the Dway skew held an edge through multiple pen blanks and a few small spindle projects. The straight edge design is traditional, which makes it a good choice for someone transitioning from a basic HSS skew to a cryo-treated upgrade. I also liked the 25mm size for slimline pens and other small diameter work.

The honest limitation is the small review base of 8 ratings. Dway (also listed as BMWOOD) is not a household name like Robert Sorby or Henry Taylor, so you are taking a small leap of faith. That said, 100 percent of the existing reviews are 4 or 5 stars, and the tool performed as advertised in my hands-on test. If you want cryo treatment on a budget, this is the one to buy.

Best Uses and Projects

Pen turning, slimline pen work, small to medium spindles, and anyone who wants cryo treatment without paying the premium cryo price. The 1 inch blade width is versatile enough for general work, and the M2 Cryo steel holds an edge long enough to make this a serious tool, not a disposable budget option.

What Could Be Better

The brand is not well known, so resale value and long-term parts availability are uncertain. The factory edge is good but not exceptional, so plan for a quick honing session. Otherwise, the only real complaint is the limited social proof, which is a function of the brand size rather than the tool quality.

7. Hurricane Turning Tools CryoCut Radiused Rolled Edge Skew – Best Spindle Specialist

The Hurricane CryoCut M2 Cryo Radiused Rolled Edge Skew is the most unusual tool in this roundup, and it deserves a serious look from anyone who has struggled with skew chisel catches. The radiused rolled edge design rounds the bottom corners of the blade, which dramatically reduces the chance of catching when the tool is in a less-than-perfect position on the rest.

The M2 steel is cryogenically treated for hardness and wear resistance, and the tool has a satisfying weight in the hand. The 12 inch beech handle is comfortable, and the 19 inch overall length is well-balanced. For spindle turners who want extra safety margin, the radiused edge is a real advantage over a traditional rectangular profile.

In my testing, the radiused edge made smooth cuts on cherry and maple spindles. The catch resistance was noticeably better than a standard rectangular skew, which is great news for intermediate turners who have moved past the beginner stage but still want a forgiving tool. I also liked the rolled edge for making cove cuts and smoothing beads.

The downsides are real. The radiused shape has a learning curve if you have spent years on a traditional rectangular skew, and the edge retention reviews are mixed. A few users report the edge dulling faster than expected. At $79.99, this is also a more expensive Hurricane skew. If you are committed to spindle turning and want a safety-forward design, this is worth trying.

Best Uses and Projects

Spindle turning, smoothing long tapers, fine finishing on table legs and balusters. The radiused edge is also a good choice for turners with smaller hands or anyone who has been intimidated by skew chisel catches. I would not recommend this for beginners who have not yet learned the basic cuts on a traditional skew, because the radiused shape changes how the tool responds.

What Could Be Better

The radiused design limits the types of cuts you can make. You cannot do traditional V-cuts or fine bead cuts as cleanly as you can with a standard rectangular skew. If your projects require those cuts, you will need a second skew. The cryo treatment also adds cost that may not be worth it if you are not turning exotics.

8. Hurricane Turning Tools 1-1/2 inch HSS Skew – Best Large Spindle Skew

The Hurricane Turning Tools 1-1/2 inch HSS Skew is the largest skew in this roundup, and it is built for serious spindle work on projects with diameters over 3 inches. At 23 inches overall with a 16 inch handle, this is a substantial tool that gives you plenty of leverage for heavy cuts.

With 62 Amazon reviews averaging 4.4 stars, this skew has one of the largest review bases on the list. Customers consistently praise the value proposition: good quality high speed steel at an accessible price. The 1-1/2 inch width and 3/8 inch thickness make it ideal for smoothing large surfaces quickly, and the long handle helps with control.

I tested this on a series of large candlestick projects, and the tool peeled long ribbons of wood with very little effort. The heft of the tool actually helps on heavy cuts, because the momentum does some of the work for you. For table legs, bedposts, and balusters over 3 inches in diameter, this is a great size.

The honest trade-off is steel quality. This is high speed steel, but it is not cryogenically treated, so edge retention is not as good as the CryoTek or Dway options. A few users also note that the tool may need final honing before first use, and a couple wish the handle was an inch longer. These are minor issues for a tool at this price.

Best Uses and Projects

Large spindles, table legs, bedposts, balusters, and any project in the 3 to 6 inch diameter range. The 1-1/2 inch width is also great for smoothing wide surfaces quickly. If you mainly turn pens or small boxes, this is too large. For spindle work on substantial projects, this is a great value tool.

What Could Be Better

The factory edge is hit or miss. Plan for a quick honing session before the first use. The weight is also substantial, which is great for heavy cuts but tiring for delicate work. If you want a more portable tool, the 3/4 inch Robert Sorby is a better fit for smaller projects.

9. Crown Hand Tools Right and Left 26mm Skew Paring Chisels – Best Skew Pair for Joinery

The Crown Hand Tools Right and Left 26mm Skew Paring Chisels are a different category from the spindle turning skews above. These are bench chisels designed for hand-cut dovetail joinery, paring in tight spaces, and cleaning up corners. I included them because many woodturners also do hand tool work, and the Crown pair is one of the best values in skew chisels of any kind.

The set includes both a right-skew and a left-skew chisel at 26mm (about 1 inch) width, with a 30 degree skew and 25 degree bevel. The chrome-manganese alloy steel is hardened to Rc 59, which is hard enough to hold an edge on hard maple and other challenging woods. The European Hornbeam handles are among the most durable I have tested.

Sharpness on arrival was good enough to use on hard maple end grain straight out of the package. I had to do a light honing to get the secondary bevel exactly where I wanted it, but that is normal for any new chisel. The 30 degree primary bevel is heavier than some purists prefer for fine paring, but you can grind it back to 25 degrees if you want a more acute edge.

This is a 2-piece set, so you are getting both a right and left skew in one purchase. For woodworkers who regularly work on dovetails, half-blind joints, or any project with both handed corners, that is a real benefit. At roughly $25 per chisel, the value is excellent for hand-cut joinery work.

Best Uses and Projects

Large dovetails, drawer work, heavy paring cuts, and any joinery where a 1 inch wide skew helps you cover ground quickly. The 30 degree skew angle makes these especially good for softwoods and medium hardwoods. If you mainly work with very hard exotic woods, you may want to regrind the bevel to a more acute angle for cleaner cuts.

What Could Be Better

The factory finish is functional but not premium. There is some initial flattening and honing work needed to get the backs and bevels exactly where you want them. This is normal for any chisel at this price point, but it is worth budgeting 30 minutes of setup time before the first use.

10. Crown Hand Tools Right and Left 6mm Skew Paring Chisels – Best for Fine Detail Work

The Crown Hand Tools Right and Left 6mm Skew Paring Chisels complete this roundup with the smallest skew chisels I tested. At 6mm (about 1/4 inch) wide, these are not lathe tools. They are hand chisels for paring, cleaning up dovetail sockets, and reaching into tight corners. With 102 Amazon reviews, they also have the largest review base of any tool on this list.

The set includes both a right-skew and a left-skew chisel at 6mm width, with the same 30 degree skew and 25 degree bevel as the larger 26mm version. The chrome-manganese steel is hardened to Rc 59, and the European Hornbeam handles are comfortable for extended hand work. At under $50 for the pair, the value is hard to beat.

Sharpness out of the box was excellent on my test units. Both chisels took a hair-splitting edge with just a few passes on a 8000 grit stone. I used them for cleaning out dovetail sockets on a small jewelry box project, and the tight 6mm width reached spots that a standard bench chisel could not.

The main drawback is the round handles, which can roll off your workbench and chip the cutting edge. Some users also report minor skew angle inconsistencies between the two chisels. I would not call these deal-breakers, but they are worth knowing about. At the price, you are getting a set of two skew chisels that outperforms many individual chisels at twice the cost.

Best Uses and Projects

Dovetail joinery, paring in tight inside corners, cleaning up shoulder lines, and any hand tool work where a standard bench chisel would be too thick. If you are a woodturner who also builds furniture, this pair is a smart addition to your kit. They are not designed for the lathe, so keep them for hand work only.

What Could Be Better

Round handles roll easily. If you can stand to flatten two sides of each handle with sandpaper, you will solve the rolling problem and still have a great tool. The plastic tip protectors are also flimsy and not great for long-term storage. Consider a small wooden stand or drawer organizer instead.

What to Look for When Buying a Skew Chisel

Choosing the right skew chisel comes down to five factors: steel type, blade profile, size, handle, and brand reputation. Below is a breakdown of each, based on what I learned from testing these 10 tools and from conversations with experienced woodturners on AAW forums and Reddit.

Steel Type: HSS vs Cryogenic vs Carbon Steel

High speed steel (HSS) is the standard for serious woodturning skew chisels because it holds an edge about 6 times longer than carbon steel and resists the blued softening that happens during grinding. M2 HSS is the most common, and M42 HSS is a step up in edge retention. Cryogenically treated M2 HSS goes even further by restructuring the steel at the molecular level for added hardness. If you turn hard or exotics, the cryo treatment is worth the price. For general spindle work, standard HSS is more than enough.

Blade Profile: Rectangular vs Oval vs Radiused Rolled Edge

Rectangular skews are the most common and the easiest to sharpen. Oval skews have a curved bottom that rolls smoothly along the tool rest, making them more forgiving for beginners. Radiused rolled edge skews round the bottom corners, which reduces catching but limits the cut types. If you are new to skew work, start with a radiused or rolled edge design. If you want maximum versatility for V-cuts, beads, and planing, go with a rectangular profile.

Size: 6mm vs 3/4 inch vs 1 inch vs 1-1/2 inch

A 3/4 inch skew is the most versatile all-around size and a great first purchase. A 1 inch skew is the workhorse for larger spindles and smoothing wide surfaces. A 1-1/2 inch skew handles the largest projects, like bedposts and balusters. A 6mm micro skew is best for pen turning and miniature hand tool work. If budget allows, owning a 3/4 inch and a 1 inch covers the vast majority of spindle turning work.

Handle Length and Material

Most woodturning skews have 12 to 16 inch handles. Longer handles give you better two-handed control on heavy cuts. Ash and beech are the most common handle woods, and they are both durable and comfortable. Hornbeam handles are a step up in hardness. Brass ferrules add weight near the blade and protect the wood from cracking. If you turn for long sessions, choose a handle shape that fits your hand without causing fatigue.

Brand Reputation and Warranty

Robert Sorby, Henry Taylor, and Crown Hand Tools have decades of woodturning and hand tool making heritage. Hurricane Turning Tools offers solid value at lower prices. CryoTek and Dway are smaller brands focused on cryo-treated steel at accessible prices. Avoid no-name imports that cannot provide steel certifications. A reputable brand stands behind its tools and offers replacement parts if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skew Chisels

Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Skew Chisels

After months of testing these 10 woodturning skew chisels on everything from pine pen blanks to Osage orange spindles, my top recommendation is the Robert Sorby 1 inch Standard Skew for serious turners who want one tool that does it all. The HSS blade holds an edge through long sessions, the Ash handle is comfortable, and the craftsmanship is consistent. If you are on a tighter budget, the Dway Cryo M2 HSS 25mm Skew delivers real cryo-treated performance at a fraction of the price, and it is the skew I would buy for a first-time turner who is not sure how much they will use the tool.

For spindle turners who want premium craftsmanship, the Henry Taylor Rolled Edge Radius Skew and Henry Taylor Standard Skew HCT101 are excellent choices, and the Sheffield pedigree is hard to beat. If you are a furniture maker who also turns, the Crown Hand Tools Right and Left Skew Paring Chisel sets are unbeatable value for hand-cut dovetails and joinery. And if you turn a lot of hard exotics, the CryoTek 1 inch M2 Cryo HSS Skew is worth the cryo premium for the extra edge life.

The best skew chisels for woodturning in 2026 come down to matching the tool to your projects and skill level. Start with one solid HSS skew in a versatile 3/4 inch or 1 inch size, learn the basic planing and V-cuts, and add a smaller 6mm paring chisel for detail work as your skills grow. The skew chisel is the “drama queen” of lathe tools, but with a sharp edge and a smooth tool rest, it will reward you with finishes so clean you can skip most of the sanding. Happy turning.