Flexcut MT23 Micro Deep U-Gouge

Overview

FLEXCUT MT23 is a woodcarving chisel with a high carbon steel blade set in an ash wood handle. The blade measures 1.5mm wide with a 0.5 inch section, sized for detail and micro carving rather than general joinery.

FLEXCUT specializes in woodcarving tools, and its MT line covers palm-sized chisels for fine detail work like lettering, relief carving and figure carving. The MT23's narrow 1.5mm blade points to detail cuts rather than stock removal, and the high carbon steel is the same grade Flexcut uses across its carving line, which holds an edge well but needs occasional honing like any carbon steel.

• High carbon steel blade
• Ash wood handle
• 1.5mm blade width
• 0.5 inch blade section

Who it's for

Suits woodcarvers doing detail, relief or lettering work who need a narrow chisel for tight cuts. Not a substitute for bench chisels used in general woodworking or joinery, since the blade width here is built for fine carving lines, not stock removal.

Pros and cons

Performance notes

High carbon steel blades like this one are chosen by carvers for the edge they can take, sharpening to a finer line than most stainless alternatives, though they need drying and occasional oiling to avoid rust. The 1.5mm blade width is narrow enough for detail lines and tight corners but slow for anything beyond small-scale carving.

Specifications

Closest rivals on specs

Narex Cabinetmakers Chisel with Hornbeam Handle 3 mm

KAKURI Japanese Oire Nomi Mortise Chisel 3 mm

Narex 863010 Bevel Edge Chisel Set 4 Piece

• Size 0.1 vs 0.2 inches (-50%)