ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (New for 2019!)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Best Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
    • Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2015)
    • Best Cordless Circular Saws
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Cordless Oscillating Tools
    • Best EDC Gear
    • Best Multimeter
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Modular Tool Boxes
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee NPS19 Tools
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Hand Tools > Nicholson Combination Chisel and Rasp Set

Nicholson Combination Chisel and Rasp Set

Dec 23, 2015 Stuart 22 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Nicholson Chisel and Rasp Set

When hunting for new tools to excite you with, I came across these Nicholson Wood Chuck combination chisel and rasp tools.

I don’t think there’s anything new about these tools – there’s a blue-handled version on sale elsewhere – but thought it would make for a good discussion topic.

Advertisement

What do you think about this type of tool? Is it useful to have a rasp surface on the front of a chisel, or you would rather have separate tools?

Now, before you answer, I should remind you that these are probably not designed for fine woodworking work. I’m guessing they’re used for general purpose type tasks, where chisels, files, and rasps all come in handy for quick work.

According to the product description, they’re aimed at any woodworker or handyman.

The handles are impact-resistant, and also have a steel strike plate.

I have a 4-in-1 rasp (you can buy one for less than $10 at Amazon), and it’s a handy wood file. But it’s also a bit wide. This has me looking at the small and medium sized chisels in this set, thinking I could use those.

The 3pc set comes with 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″ chisel sizes.

Price: $20

Buy Now(via Home Depot)
See Also(Similar Tools via Amazon)

Related posts:

Stanley FatMax Pocket ChiselRevisiting Stanley’s Folding Pocket Chisel ToolGuyd Favorite Tools July 2011The Perfect Tool Kit (2019 Edition)

Sections: Hand Tools, Woodworking Tags: hand files, wood chiselsMore from: Nicholson

« End of Year Power Tool and Accessory Deals
Watts Water Pressure Test Gauge Saved My Sanity »

22 Comments

  1. Nathan says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 9:55 am

    dealing with doors and lock sets with custom installations – I think it might be a good keep in the bag tool. you might not need it, but it would suitable take the place of 2 or 3 different tools.

    trying to think of another place you might use a chisel and rasp in mid job. maybe brick laying/ repair and perhaps window repair/replacement.

    with brick though you might want a different style chisel of course.

    Reply
  2. DaveD says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 10:50 am

    I actually bought a four piece Nicholson combo set with blue handles when I had to replace a storm door. Since I didn’t really own either tool and wasn’t sure what size chisels I might need, it seemed like a good idea. The set wasn’t very expensive and worked well, although I’ve only used the chisel component so far.

    Reply
  3. Allen says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 11:11 am

    If the chisel is sharp I see danger ahead,

    Reply
  4. NCD says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 11:25 am

    Actually when I was working construction, these would have been handy at times. These were never meant for fine finish work, worth the money as far as I’m concerned.

    Reply
  5. Jon B says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 11:30 am

    I can’t see a reason to buy or use these over separate tools. In the DIY/handyman work I’ve done I have used my rasps, but only flat rasps. I would think the curved surface (appears to be at least) would be less preferable to me. IF those rasp teeth are sharp at all (knowing Nicholson’s current quality they won’t be) those would not be very fun to use in any scenario where your fingers will be guiding the chisel.

    Rough chisels for housework are fine, though I wouldn’t use anything less than the blue handled Irwin/Marples style as I doubt these will hold much of an edge.

    Reply
    • Sean says

      Dec 28, 2015 at 11:19 am

      I want to say there is a rasp on the flat side and the half-circle side.

      I bought a 3-pack of these awhile back, but I have not even opened them… This may because I also have at least 2 unopened 3-packs of Stanley chisels from when they were $3 (or $4) last year.

      Reply
  6. But it's me! says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I have one that came with a yard sale box purchase. Made the chisel end scary sharp, which in theory made for a decent chisel I did not care about (for around nails and the like). Unfortunately, and maybe just my usual clumsy nature, a sharp chisel and rasp combination is not all that great in practice. Trying to guide the chisel often leads to the rasp doing a number on my hands. The sharp chisel then gives me pause in trying to use the rasp, so I don’t bother with the rasp. More or less is my junk chisel of last resort, although it did take a nice edge.

    Reply
  7. Jeff says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 11:43 am

    I had one of these for awhile and found it very useful for use in the residential remodeling work that I do. But I finally ditched it because he rasp made it aggravating to get in and out of my tool belt. I think I moved it to my veto bag so it doesn’t see as much action anymore.

    Reply
  8. mike aka Fazzman says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Interesting, Nicholson makes the best files. Ive been using them for over 20 years. This seems like it might be useful for some things but I prefer seperate tools.

    Reply
    • Jon B says

      Dec 23, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      Do you use Nicholson saw (taper) files? In my experience their new ones (last 5-6 years at least) are absolute garbage compared to Grobet or Bahco.

      Reply
      • mike aka Fazzman says

        Dec 23, 2015 at 12:55 pm

        Grobet might be good for light duty stuff,I think i have one Grobet dwiss pattern file in my box. In machine shops where you are constantly using them all day the nicholsons hold up.

        Ive had good luck with Simonds too. Maybe Grobet has improved theirs I dunno I just go with what ive had good luck with.

        Reply
  9. SteveR says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I would have thought that the type of steel needed for files/rasps would be different from that used in chisels. A flat-bottomed chisel is used for final shaping and smoothing, whereas a rasp is used more for rapid initial cutting or removal of material. Also, that the hardening processes used might be different for each type of tool. Like many multi-tools, it might do several things for you, but none of them as well as a dedicated tool can.

    From their appearance, the rasps look to have a half-round shape; I assume the reverse side, the chisel portion, is flat. When using a chisel, I like to be able to hold and guide it from different positions along its length. That would be more difficult with the rasp teeth covering most of the surface.

    I’ve always used a chisel in the “reverse” position, where you hold and use it mostly with the raised/sharpened areas of the chisel turned over for initial paring and shaping. I then flip the tool over, using the flat portion for final touch-up. It doesn’t appear that we have that capability in these tools. You can hog-out large areas quickly with a rasp, but I don’t think the half-round shape lends itself to controlling that well, especially in small areas, as easily as with a standard chisel.

    I do like the shape and rubber-covered areas of the handles, however; they look like they’d be very comfortable.

    Reply
  10. Jim Felt says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    I bought this set at least 20 years ago (though certainly US made and not blue handled) and use them occasionally. They live in a tool roll around and as such only get used because they’re handy to my non critical shop use.
    I agree they’re tough to use in a tool belt and as for the Veto I dunno.
    Mostly just convenient for lock set and dead bolt installation and adjustments to me at least.

    Reply
  11. Garrick says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    No doubt a chisel by itself is easier to use, as would be a rasp. Since neither are that expensive, or use a lot of space, having a combined tool would seem be for either a very specific task, or for just a low budget home toolbox.

    Reply
  12. max says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 12:21 pm

    For the amount that I use either tool, it could be useful. I rarely use a chisel, so if I were to buy one I would consider this. Especially for things like hanging doors. I don’t think it would replace all the files though.

    Reply
  13. Jerry says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    At first I thought ‘good idea’ but the more I think about it, the less appealing the idea becomes. If I were doing light remodeling, and needed to hang one door, install a lockset, stc, and didnt have the tools, I’d be tempted.
    However, I have a rasp, and I often hold the far end with my off hand to help control it. The idea of that end being razor sharp doesn’t appeal to me, nor does the idea that there will be rasp teeth biting into my hands when I try to guide the chisel shank by sliding it between my fingers.
    Probably OK as an occasional use tool for someone who wants to own as few tools as possible, and doesn’t do a lot of DIY type work.

    Reply
  14. fred says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    We bought a set – on clearance – in 2009. Glad we di not buy more – since we thought they were awful. We could not sharpen the chisel end to any sort of a fine edge – and the rasp portion was not as useful as the “four-in-hand” style the guys often grabbed for rough work. The set is probably in a bucket in some far recess of the tool room gathering dust.

    Reply
  15. Hilton says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    I hold my rasps and files with both hands so having a sharp edge on one end would be a disaster.

    Maybe for a rough carpenter but I prefer single use tools (for the most part).

    Reply
  16. Seth says

    Dec 23, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    The blue handled ones are of terrible quality. Sears carried them for a while, and every set I sold came back as a return within the return period.

    The chisel end shipped out blunt – so if you were expecting to do any actual work with it you’d need to have tools to properly sharpen it and the know-how to do it yourself.

    The tang doesn’t go all the way through the handle to the strike plate, and while I’m not convinced this wasn’t a moulding defect – using a striking tool on the end would cause the plastic right behind the strike cap to blow out in chunks.

    Worthless and dangerous – I’d avoid them at any price including free.

    Reply
  17. Julian. Tracy says

    Dec 25, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    I had a USA set of these years ago, thought they were a great idea. Not! Not very great chisels and not very good rasps. Can only be of a worse quality now.

    JT

    Reply
  18. Hank Dueck says

    Dec 29, 2015 at 10:46 pm

    This combination looks like an accident waiting to happen.

    Reply
  19. Tyler says

    Dec 31, 2015 at 1:03 am

    My instinct tells me to be suspicious of any attempt to combine separate processes into a single tool, but it looks like they haven’t aggressively overdone it in this case. Could be a good reach-for tool for work that doesn’t have to be too pretty.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • clayton keeney on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “I’ve been kicking around the idea of mounting some Packout stuff in my work shell on my truck, this would…”
  • Jared on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “I’d love to put things in it! For real 🙂”
  • JerryP on HOT Deal on a Milwaukee M18 Fuel FRAMING Nailer Bundle: “I would have snapped that up in a heart beat. I’ve been kixkng the tires on the drill /driver deal…”
  • Ivan on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “This would go perfect in my work vehicle. Been searching for something exactly like this. Would hold small hand tools…”
  • John E. on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “I’d use this in my shop and on the road when I rent box trucks with E-track to keep my…”
  • Travis Dillon on Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!: “I would love to use this for my Christmas light display. Laugh all you want fellas! But each year it…”

Recent Posts

  • ToolGuyd Misc Tool Talk and Social Media Summary (1/23/21)
  • Interesting ToughBuilt "Shock Block" Hammer Concept
  • Giveaway: Milwaukee Packout 3-Drawer Tool Box + Wall Shelving Rack!
  • ToughBuilt Aviation Snips - Coming Exclusively to Lowe's
  • New Oneida BenchTop DC Personal Dust Collector
  • Milwaukee Tool Flash Sale - Save $25 off $100+ (Ends 1/20/21)
  • Dewalt Tools FLASH SALE, Today Only 1/19/2021
  • Woodpeckers Auto-Line Drill Guide
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Cordless Impact Drivers
  • Best Cordless Multi-Tools
  • Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Modular Tool Storage Systems
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure