I just lately examined a couple of chisels and aircraft blades from Zen-Wu Toolworks, a brand new firm in China that makes use of a variety of proprietary alloys—every designed for its job. I examined the X-1, Y-1, and Z-1 chisels, in addition to a aircraft iron with a “Magnacut” edge. Every part arrived with dead-flat backs and sharp edges. The Z-1 chisel and Magnacut aircraft blade are a laminated combo of titanium and gear metal, designed to dampen vibration and reduce weight.
I in contrast the Zen-Wu aircraft blade to the inventory A2 blade that got here with my Lie-Nielsen No. 4-1/2 aircraft. The Zen-Wu blade made 600 clear strokes in curly maple earlier than it started to really feel boring, whereas the Lie-Nielsen blade started to boring in lower than half the time—after 250 strokes.
Then I in contrast the efficiency of the Zen-Wu chisels to a Lee Valley/Veritas PMV-11 chisel, comprised of a really powerful powdered-metal alloy. Whereas the Veritas chisel managed a powerful 800 chops earlier than it wanted sharpening, all three Zen-Wu chisels outperformed it. The expensive X-1 chisel was the standout, in a position to ship 1,200 chops earlier than it wanted sharpening. However the way more inexpensive Y-1 chisel managed 870 hits, and the Z-1 managed 900. That mentioned, the Z-1’s metal felt springy beneath mallet blows, and one nook chipped. So I might go along with the Y-1 for greatest worth.
—Adam Godet is a professional woodworker in Washington, D.C.
Zen-Wu Z-1 Chisel, $79
Zen-Wu Y-1 Chisel, $69
Zen-Wu X-1 Chisel, $312
Zen-Wu Magnacut Aircraft Blade and Chipbreaker $164 (for No. 4-1/2 aircraft)
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